‘It’s eleven forty-two on ABC Radio, the sounds of the north.’ The radio announcer’s voice cut through his thoughts and he realised half the trip had gone by without him noticing.

‘And the play of the day is Rascal Flatts. We’re featuring one song from their album of the same name, every hour for today,’ the DJ informed him. ‘Comin’ up next is “I’m Movin’ On”. You’re listening to ABC Radio, sound of the north.’

Piano strains came through the speakers and the hairs on Dave’s arms rose just a little. He loved a good country song played with piano, fiddle and guitar. The voice of Gary LeVox started singing, and as Dave listened to the words, he felt as if the song had been written for him. Gary sang about being trapped in the past for too long and needing to make peace with it.

Kim flashed into his thoughts again. ‘Please ring Dean.’ She’d said it more than once. And he’d ignored the request as he always did. It wasn’t something he wanted to think about or deal with.

Dave agreed with the song’s sentiment that he never thought he’d end up where he didn’t belong. But he had. Once he’d realised that he couldn’t be a farmer he’d had to choose another profession. He loved what he did now and he probably wouldn’t change it, but back then it had been a heart-wrenching and difficult adjustment.

His thoughts turned to Dean and his mum. Trying to remember the last time he’d talked to his mother, he called her number on the car phone system.

‘Dave?’ The pleasure in his mum’s voice made him feel terrible he hadn’t rung earlier.

‘Hi, Mum. How are you?’

‘All the better for hearing your voice. Are you well?’

‘All fine and dandy here. What are you up to?’

‘Not a great deal. Sitting on the porch reading a book with a cup of tea.’

Dave could picture her doing just that, with the flowering potted geraniums lining the verandah and the tea-pot sitting on the wrought-iron table. She’d have her feet propped up on a stool and her sunglasses perched on her head.

He smiled at the vision. ‘That sounds very peaceful.’

‘It’s lovely. The weather’s started to cool down. The early mornings are soft and dewy, which is so nice. I get tired of the heat these days.’

‘It can be draining. I find it hard sometimes at Barker, and Kim certainly does.’

‘You have day after day of the heat, though, don’t you? We’re lucky enough to get a cool change now and then.’

There was a pause and Dave reached for something to talk about.

His mum beat him to it. ‘We enjoyed having you and Kim over here, Dave,’ she said quietly. ‘But I know you found it difficult.’