Jock positively vibrated with self-loathing. ‘I should have waited another year for the solar pumps.’ She’d never seen him like this. He’d obviously been stewing on it for some time. He dragged his hand through his hair again and she could see it was shaking. He was worse than she’d thought.

‘Overcapitalising happened to the Wilsons. And the Johnsons before that. Mum should have stopped me.’

His voice had risen and now Hana appeared at the back door. She glided across the grass to put her hand on Jock’s arm. ‘Hey, cowboy. Getting loud there.’

Jock’s stiff expression softened. ‘I know. Sorry, honey. I was telling Ava about the cattle. She said she’d come with me to count.’

Ava didn’t remember saying quite that, but she would. She’d bring Zac if he was up to it. And she hoped they wouldn’t find too many ill cattle. Jock didn’t look like he could take it. But then he’d been here day in, day out watching the feed disappear while she’d been in Alice in another world. Maybe he needed to get away for more than an ultrasound in town. She sighed. But they couldn’t afford that, either.

‘Tomorrow morning, then, rather than today?’ She was thinking that Zac would have had another night’s sleep and he’d managed the walk to the creek bed with ease earlier. Managed to hold her hand with no ill effects. She’d ask him if he thought he’d be up to sharing Jock’s run later.

Hana sighed and rested her hand on Jock’s arm. ‘Mim’s just told your brother he’s not to go looking for bad news.’

Jock brushed that aside. ‘We can say we’re showing Zac around. Take some food, call it a picnic.’ His voice was bitter and harsh. He must have heard it himself because he ended with his voice calmer and softer. ‘Mim will be happy with that.’

She and Hana exchanged looks. Ava wasn’t so sure Jock was looking at this rationally, and judging by Hana’s expression she didn’t think so either, but they could both see Jock was taking it hard. Ava couldn’t blame her brother. Everyone was struggling.

‘What does Mum say?’

‘She’s focused on the ecotourism.’ Jock waved his hand in disgust. ‘Believes it will save the day.’

‘It might.’

‘Tea, anyone?’ Stella’s voice floated out to them and Jock set his jaw.

He glanced at the house. ‘Better go in if we want to do this thing tomorrow.’

‘You go ahead.’ Hana’s voice was quiet but determined, and Jock nodded. ‘I want to talk to Ava for a minute.’

Ava watched as Zac stepped out onto the verandah to wave them in. ‘I’ll go out with you tomorrow, Jock, and see if I can help. After “we” –’ she used her fingers for inverted commas – ‘show Zac the station.’