‘But The Brown’s Bar’s in town,’ Samuel replied, still confused, ‘off limits to our guys. What use could she be to us?’

‘For starters, she’d be sympathetic to our cause. Val’s a good buddy. But she wouldn’t just be doing us a favour, I can assure you, Captain.’ Rupe grinned. ‘Val’s first and foremost a businesswoman who knows a good deal when she sees one. Our guys have money, lots of money by Australian standards, and stuck out here in the bush like they are they got nowhere to spend it. I reckon Val would like the sound of that. In fact, I reckon if anyone could get a club up and going outside of the city limits, it’d be Val Callahan.’

‘Then I’d better pay a visit to The Brown’s Bar,’ Samuel said.

‘I think that would be a good idea, sir.’

Val was most certainly sympathetic to the cause. ‘It’s criminal,’ she declared. ‘To deny your hard-working men the pleasures they’ve rightly earned is downright bloody criminal.’

She also recognised in Samuel’s proposition the possibility of a highly profitable business enterprise. ‘Leave it with me, Captain,’ she said. ‘I’ll see what I can do.’

‘Thank you, Mrs Callahan.’ He shook the hand she offered. ‘Without sounding pushy,’ he said apologetically, ‘might I add that speed is of the essence. My men are going crazy out there.’

‘Understood,’ she replied. ‘And call me Val. I haven’t been Mrs Callahan for years.’

When he’d gone, she sent for Baz and immediately called a meeting in her office.

‘You come too, Betty,’ she said, leaving Jill in charge of the bar. ‘I think you’ll want to be in on this,’ she added drily as they walked up the stairs.

When the three of them were settled, she told Baz and Betty of Captain Robinson’s proposition.

‘What a marvellous idea,’ Betty exclaimed, her face lighting up, ‘we’ll take the piano to the club and I’ll play for them.’

‘Yes, that’s what I thought you might say,’ Val remarked, once again drily.

Betty just offered a radiant smile by way of reply.

Val knew exactly what was going on between Betty and Kasey. She was aware of each tryst they’d shared in the little upstairs bedroom and had made only one comment to the girl. ‘I hope you’re being careful, lovey,’ she’d said. To which Betty had boldly replied, ‘Course I am,’ and they’d left it at that.

You can’t stop young love, Val thought. There’s no point in trying. She was actually pleased that if they could get this club going it would offer an opportunity for the lovers to meet. Better than Kasey going AWOL anyway, she thought. If the kid tries it again he’s bound to be caught.