Deception Creek by Fleur McDonald

Author:Fleur McDonald
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Published: 2021-11-02T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

2021

‘Joel, it’s me, Kim. I’ve got some food for you.’ She knocked on the door for the second time.

‘He’s gone out,’ a voice called from across the road.

Kim turned and saw Mrs Kerby out on her front step with a teapot and cup on the table next to her.

‘Hello, Mrs Kerby, how are you?’ Kim asked, leaving her basket on the verandah and walking across the road.

‘I’m well, thank you. And yourself?’

‘Great, thanks. Isn’t it a beautiful day?’ She glanced up to the clear blue sky.

‘Farmers will be needing some rain soon.’

‘The crops I’ve seen on the road are looking quite nice.’

‘At a thirsty stage, so they are.’

‘Do you know when Joel will be back?’

‘He left in the car this morning, but I don’t know where he went, so, no. He keeps to himself.’

‘Can’t say I blame him. Must be nice having a bit of company back over the road, though. You’ve been out here by yourself for a long time.’

‘Would you like a cup of tea?’ Mrs Kerby asked, just as a familiar vehicle drove down the road.

Kim turned at the noise and waved at Zara, who pulled to a halt next to her and leaned out of the driver’s window.

‘Hello, what are you up to?’ Zara asked and waved across at the elderly lady.

‘Just dropping some food off to Joel,’ Kim replied, stepping up to the car.

Zara grinned. ‘Should have known that’s what you were doing.’

‘You busy?’

‘Nah, just finished a story for the Farming Journal. Waiting to see what Lachie has for me next.’

‘I’m going to have a cuppa here, want to join me?’ Kim raised her eyebrows a little, her back still to Mrs Kerby.

Zara stared at Kim, then looked across at Mrs Kerby. ‘Who’s the oldie?’ she asked.

‘Mrs Kerby. I’m about to get to know her better than I do now.’

‘What are you up to, Kim Burrows?’ Zara turned the car off and opened the door.

‘We’d love a cuppa, Mrs Kerby,’ Kim called out. ‘Do you know Zara Ellison? I’m sure you’d know her family.’

‘Oh yes. Your family’s on Roeberry Glen, aren’t they? Your mother is seeing the doctor?’

Zara took the couple of steps up onto the verandah and smiled, holding out her hand. ‘Yes, that’s my family. Mum is still out there on the farm.’

‘Brave woman, that one. Sorry for your loss. Your brother and father. Gosh, there’s been some tragedy around Barker of late.’ She brushed a bit of lint from her jumper and looked at them.

Kim nodded her agreement. ‘I think we could all do with a very calm couple of years, don’t you, Mrs Kerby?’

‘I’ll heat up the kettle again. And call me Greta.’ She picked up the pot of tea and went back inside, while Kim and Zara drew chairs around the table.

Zara looked suspiciously at Kim, her eyes full of questions.

‘Wait and see,’ Kim said with a grin, then leaned back in her chair. She raised her voice so Greta could hear her inside. ‘Joel has done such a big clean-up since he got home.

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