Biggest thing I shot at this whole time was a pelican. Most danger I was in was from the rations. But I suppose it is good to be alive and to remain handsome.

You still won’t be seeing me anytime soon. Apparently there’ll be an occupation force, made up of men like yours truly. Last in, last out—you know how it goes. Although I guess you don’t. Neither do I, come to think of it.

And if you think I’m coming back to watch apples grow after that, then you’re dead wrong. I’ve been talking to these fellows from New South Wales and Queensland, and I’ve decided that I’m going to give it a red hot go over there. I’ll be a jackaroo, or if I can’t swing that, a rouseabout. You can work your way all over the country on the sheep’s back. I’m going to start south and head all the way up to Longreach. I’ll go to every station that’ll have me.

Don’t worry. I’ll come back to the orchard eventually. Bill’s going to need somebody to boss about. When you see him, tell him he and Dad will have to do without me for a while. He’ll be over the moon, no doubt. Toby

~

The letter had come the day after they’d released the quoll. Ned read his brother’s words twice, five times, ten. He felt drenched by the images they brought him. Toby staring over hot, flat seas. Toby strolling through foreign cities, pointing a gun at fearful strangers. Toby on horseback, herding cattle; Toby clipping fleece off wriggling sheep. Toby carving a life in the mainland’s dust and dirt.

He only stopped reading when he heard knuckles rapping the front door. He left the letter unfolded on the kitchen table, next to the papers, where his father and Maggie wouldn’t be able to miss it.

It was Telle. Behind her was the mare, tethered to a post. It took Ned a few seconds to take them both in, to understand what was happening. He’d never seen Telle anywhere but at her place, where she seemed to fit better. Here on the orchard she was taller, harder. Had brittled herself against the unbroken light of the land outside her garden. Her trousers were clean, and her flannel shirt looked ironed. She had her arms crossed. Was looking him in the eye.

‘She’s all sorted.’ A nod at the mare, then her eyes were back on his. ‘Hadn’t seen you in a while, and I was headed this way anyway. Thought I’d drop her off.’