He started to gather firewood so he could boil the billy.
‘I think they fleeced us blind last night, the bludgers!’ Rocco said as he staggered around the bush and took hold of Paddy’s water bag. He drank greedily, water dribbling down his chin. ‘I had five pounds when we came out here. Don’t think I’ve got more than a bob left.’
Paddy checked his pockets for his roll of cash. His stomach unclenched when he found it was still there. ‘I know a lost a bit. Maybe five quid too.’
‘God, the missus is going to kill me.’ Rocco looked around. ‘I was supposed to go home last night!’
Paddy threw the firewood on some dry grass and used matches to light the fire. Small orange flames flicked through the grass and instantly bush smoke filled his nostrils. He piled a few more sticks on top, then went to the boot of his car to get the billy. The last of the water went into the blackened tin which he placed on top of the flames, pushing it down to make sure it wouldn’t fall.
Rocco sat under the shade of the tree, holding his head in his hands. ‘Need a Bex for sure,’ he muttered.
When the billy was boiling, Paddy threw a handful of tea leaves into it before tapping the side with a stick and then pouring two cups.
‘Come on, drink up. Then I’d better get you home.’
Rocco took the pannikin gratefully and took a long sip. ‘Ah, that’s good.’ He turned to his friend. ‘Do you reckon you’ll come back from Victoria?’
Paddy shrugged. ‘Dunno. See what it’s like when I get over there. With any luck I’ll find some gold and a lady who’ll have me and I won’t want to.’
‘What are you going to do with your lease?’
Paddy sighed. ‘There’s not much gold left there, I’m sure. I reckon I’ll lock it up and leave it.’
‘What about all the freeloaders who’ll have a crack at your mines?’ Rocco sounded incredulous.
Paddy shrugged. ‘I’ve been all over the lease; it’s a dud piece of land. There’s not enough quartz and ironstone. I think I’ve found five ounces in the ten years I’ve had it. More trouble than it’s worth. Anyone who wants to have a go is welcome to it, but I’ll keep the land. Never know, I might want to come back and set up camp on it. Spend the last of my days in the bush.’ He drained the dregs of his tea and rinsed out the pannikin.
‘Are you just saying that to put people off going onto it?’ he asked with a quizzical look on his face. ‘’Cause from what you’re telling me, I’d say you’re mad. Been in the bush too long.’
Paddy laughed. ‘I’m telling you the truth, my friend. Have you ever known me to lie?’
Rocco was quiet at that statement, for the truth was, in the ten years he’d know Paddy, his friend had never lied.
Paddy left Rocco at the front gate of his house and drove away quickly. In the rear-view mirror he saw a dark-skinned woman come running out of the house and he could still hear her angry yells. He figured it might take Rocco a bit of explaining to calm her.
He was sad to say goodbye to his mate, thinking perhaps he’d never see him again. But life always seemed to move on and people came and went. Rocco was moving on and so was he.
Paddy stopped at the chemist and bought a packet of Bex, then went on to the police station.
‘How can I help you, cobber?’ asked the policeman behind the desk.
‘I’m not sure, but…’ He proceeded to tell the man what he’d found and what he’d done. ‘I just want to make sure her family know what’s happened to her,’ he finished.
‘Can you wait there a minute?’
Paddy nodded and leaned against the desk, wishing he had taken one of the painkillers before he’d come inside.
‘Paddy?’ a voice asked and a tall thin man walked through the door. ‘I’m Detective Chris Pyke. Can you come and give me a statement?’
‘Sure, no worries.’ He followed the man into a cold interview room.
‘How did you spot her?’ Detective Pyke asked.
‘I was driving and she caught my eye. The body was swinging and I thought it was a piece of bark at first. You know how the bark hangs on a salmon gum when it’s shedding? She looked like that.’
‘Bad business.’
Paddy found he couldn’t talk for a moment. He swallowed. ‘She wasn’t in good shape. I couldn’t leave her there to be eaten away at, so that’s why I buried her.’
‘Can you explain to me where?’
‘Under the tree. I’ve marked it with my initials so you’ll be able to tell which one, although the grave is mounded and I dragged heavy branches over it, so the dogs couldn’t dig her up. Near the turn-off twenty miles to the north-west.’
‘It’s becoming more and more common, I’m afraid,’ sighed the detective. ‘I’m sure the heat sends some of them mad. I really believe that women shouldn’t be allowed to live here. It’s too harsh an environment. Why men would ask them to is beyond me.’
‘I’m sure not all women would agree with you,’ he said, thinking of the woman he’d seen a couple of days ago. She’d been wearing men’s trousers and a shirt and had two buckets of water slung over her shoulders. On her face was a large smile as she walked along beside a man who was looking at her as if she were his fantasy.
‘Perhaps not,’ the detective backtracked. ‘It’s just such a waste of a life.’
‘Lots of waste out here, mate. Not just women. Men and children too. It’s a hard place to live, but the gold is worth it.’
‘Spoken like a true miner.’
‘Has anyone been reported missing?’
‘No. If someone was missing her I’m sure I would’ve heard about it. Maybe they assumed she just walked away. That happens a lot.’ He paused, thinking.
