‘I know that.’

Dave turned serious. ‘Who are you again?’

‘Jack, the ex-farmhand who got disillusioned with farming, turned vegan and wants to make change happen.’

‘I’ll be with you all the way, in the van outside. I won’t be able to hear what’s happening through the pens, but if you need help, we’re right outside.’

Jack gave a brief nod and jiggled around.

‘We’re only looking for info about where the next rally is, okay? And for fuck’s sake, don’t go in too hard or too fast. It never ends well if you do that.’

‘I’m good.’

Dave could see he’d lost Jack. He was already the vegan activist who wanted to create change.

‘Go get ’em.’

Jack strutted down the street, keeping an eye out for anyone he might recognise from Voices for Animals.

Swinging open the door to Kristen Goes Raw, he took a seat towards the back of the café so he could watch everyone who came in and work out who was who.

Kristen herself came over with a menu and held it out to him. ‘Nice shirt,’ she said.

‘Cheers. Got a tonic water?’

‘Sure. Would you like anything to eat?’ She smiled at him.

‘I’ll check out the menu. If I could get that drink straight up, that’d be great. Panting for something wet.’

‘I’ll be back.’

The door opened and Josh Parker walked in. He’d tied his two dogs outside by the front door.

‘Hi, Josh,’ Kristen called. ‘You can grab the dogs some water from the kitchen, if you like. I just have to serve.’

‘Thanks.’ Josh clearly knew his way around Kristen’s café because he walked into the kitchen without any hesitation.

Jack looked down at the menu and fought not to screw up his nose. All of the food looked really nice, but it wasn’t steak or lamb chops.

Cauliflower hot wings with vegan aioli.

Southwestern pasta salad.

Quinoa stuffed peppers.

Rice paper rolls with mango and mint.

A girl he’d been through the academy with had talked about this quinoa stuff. He wasn’t really sure what it was, but he was prepared to try it. Rice paper rolls didn’t sound too bad either. He just hoped the servings would be big enough to fill him up.

He made a mental note to eat before he came next time.

The bell tinkled as the door opened again, and Amber and Raymond walked in with three other people Jack didn’t recognise from his briefing. One was an older grey-haired man, his eyes hidden by sunglasses; the other two were women who looked to be in their thirties.

He angled his arm so the camera pen would catch the faces.

Kristen came back with his drink and looked at him expectedly. ‘Ready to order?’

‘What do you recommend?’