‘Whatcha looking for Karl for?’ He put the glass down heavily and some of the wine sloshed over the side.

‘I’d like to talk to some farmers about what’s going on around here.’ As she said it, she realised the publican would be a great source too. He’d hear all sorts of stories. Steeling herself, she held out her hand. ‘I’m Zara. I work for the Farming Telegraph.’

‘Danny Bowman.’ His hand, when he shook hers, was large and chunky. ‘What sort of goings-on?’

‘Oh, stock trials, innovative farmers, that sort of thing.’ She paused. ‘You’d hear a lot of things that are going on around the community, wouldn’t you?’

Danny leaned forward. ‘You wouldn’t believe the things I hear in here. But you gotta be careful about what you repeat, you know? I don’t want to cause any trouble.’

‘I’m sure you don’t.’ Zara took a sip of her wine.

‘There you are!’ Karl came out of another room and headed straight over. ‘I’ve been telling the boys about you. They’re happy to have a chat. I thought you might get caught out here with Danny.’

‘Yep, just introduced ourselves.’ She picked up her wine and followed him, glad to see a friendly face. ‘I’ll catch up with you in a while, Danny.’

‘I’m not going anywhere.’

‘Fellas,’ Karl called out and clapped his hands. ‘This is Zara. Be nice. She’s used to people with good manners, not you ferals.’ He turned to her and said, ‘You’ll probably know some of them from when you were growing up.’

As if on cue a short, thickset man came up and held out his hand. ‘Zara, we were in school together. Harry Thompson. Not sure if—’

‘Harry! Of course I remember. Hello,’ Zara said, pleased she knew someone else. ‘What are you doing with yourself?’

‘I bought the metal fabrication shop a few years back. Make silos and feeders, stuff like that. What about you? Karl tells me you’re a reporter. I always wondered what you got up to after you left Barker.’

‘I like to think of myself as a journo rather than a reporter. Sounds strange but I think of reporters as people chasing the hard story rather than writing about facts.’

He nodded enthusiastically. ‘Must be a great job. Sounds really exciting.’

‘It has its moments.’ She smiled. ‘Tell me about the metal fabrication business.’

‘It keeps me busy and the wolf from the door,’ Harry started.

Karl broke in. ‘Let’s not monopolise the guest of honour, Harry! You live in town and can talk to her anytime. Zara, come and meet Brock Doyle. He farms about eighty k west of here. Runs sheep and planted a lot of saltbush a few years ago, which helps with his carrying capacity. He also has a merino stud.’

‘Great. Nice to see you, Harry. Hopefully we’ll catch up soon. I’d like to hear more about your business and what you’re up to.’

‘Sorry to hear about your brother, Zara. If we can do anything, let us know, okay?’