Parks headquarters for the region was a twenty-minute drive from Leon’s new town. The office was in the main street between the hairdresser and real-estate agent. Leon pulled up outside and sat in his car, watching rain slide down the windscreen. He was nervous. It would take time to get established in a new job but he was looking forward to working in a team and making friends with people who shared his passion for wild places and who liked the outdoors. He checked his watch. Ten to nine. Time to go in.

A buzzer sounded as he entered, but there was no one about. He heard a murmur of voices and the clacking of a keyboard behind a large opaque screen at the back of the shop. For a few moments he inspected his surrounds: shelves with books and maps for sale, a postcard rack, stuffed toys. Then he stepped up to the counter, which had a glass top with a map beneath it. He dinged the bell and a tall, lanky man emerged from behind the screen. He had short dark hair, a long nose, after-five shadow and questioning brown eyes. ‘Hi, how are you? Need any help?’

Leon reached over to shake hands. ‘I’m Leon Walker. Starting a new job here today.’

The man smiled and accepted the handshake. ‘G’day, I’m Terry. Pleased to meet you.’

He led Leon behind the screen and introduced him to Brian, the boss: a big man hunched over a small desk in a pokey little office right out the back. Brian was frowning at a computer among a mountain of papers and several used coffee cups. From his doughy shape and double chins, Leon figured he didn’t visit his parks very often—something he probably delegated to juniors like Leon. But when they shook hands, the grip was solid, just what you’d expect of a manager.

‘Sit down,’ Brian said, pointing to a chair.

Leon sat.

‘So you’ve come from Bruny Island. Busy over there?’

‘Yeah. I was on my own, so it was flat out.’

‘You’re used to working alone?’

‘Yes. They didn’t replace the other ranger when he retired. Not enough money.’

‘Understood. Things are tight here too. No resources. The reality is we’re understaffed and you’ll be busy like on Bruny.’

‘That’s okay. I’m a hard worker.’

‘Good. I appreciate enthusiasm. You’ll have plenty to do. And not all of it will be outside. These days we only get up to the park three times a week, and mostly we only send one ranger because there’s so much office work: manning the counter, answering questions for tourists, that sort of stuff. Any specialties you bring to the job?’