Down Outback Roads by Alissa Callen Read Free Book Online Page A

play and no work at uni, but some of his Sydney agricultural science degree must havestuck as he’s now running Savannah Downs and other family properties up north. He sees genetically superior UltraBlacks, with their increased heat resistance and fertility, as the way forward.’
    ‘You’re kidding. Camo has grown up?’
    ‘I’m sure he still likes his rum and coke but yes, he’s grown up. I guess he had to, after the chopper-mustering accident killed his father. Death has a way of sobering even the most hardened of party animals.’
    Travis didn’t immediately answer and Ewan wished he’d taken more care with his words. He knew exactly what Travis would be thinking. It wasn’t only hardened party animals that death wielded an impact on.
    Ewan spoke quickly. ‘Wish me luck. I’m not sure what this new bank guy is like. He sounded very official on the phone, so the days of having a simple yarn to Mike might be over.’
    ‘I can’t blame Mike for retiring. The stress of keeping everyone going through the drought would have taken its toll on anyone. Listen, I’ll be in town in an hour and will meet you at the Calf and Cow for a counter lunch. My shout.’
    ‘Thanks, I’ll either be celebrating or drowning my sorrows. But it’s my shout, you took care of the last lunch. I’m outside the bank now, so I’d better park and deal with my ring tone. Talk to you later.’
    Ewan ended the call. The cold ball of uncertainty that had lodged in his stomach as he’d talked about the new bank manager refused to shift. He didn’t hold any illusions as to his financial position, but he’d done extensive research and canvassed many options about the direction in which to take Marellen. One fact underpinned them all. He needed money.
    Ewan dealt with his phone and quit the cool confines of the air-conditioned ute. Officially, it might be autumn but the strength of the hot sun ensured the temperature was more roasting than balmy. He stood outside the small bank office and glanced along the main street of Glenalla. Pete Grey was in town. His battered HiLux ute with his brown kelpie snoozing on the tray-back was parked outside the newsagent. Mrs Jessop’s pristine but dated white four-wheel drive claimed the space in front of the general store, but otherwise the wide street was empty. Sadness merged with his tension. His childhood town was dying.
    The never-ending drought had siphoned off businesses until only a few remained. The coffee shop was the last to close. The Gilmores had had enough and moved to a larger regional centre two hours east. Now the pub on the corner remained the only place to grab anything to eat. Locals and a few tourists had once populated the footpaths, but the only movement today was a stray ginger cat who slunk past Pete Grey’s ute. The kelpie lifted his head but it was as though he were too tired and dispirited to care. The drought had robbed Glenalla of more than a reliable water supply. It had robbed the town of life. The rains had come but it was only when money again flowed that Glenalla would have a hope of surviving.

    A long hour later, Ewan strode into the Calf and Cow, unbuttoning the top two buttons on his best shirt, which for the past hour had felt like a straightjacket. He’d survived the meeting with Clive, the ex-city bank manager. But only just.
    Ewan’s eyes adjusted to the dim interior of the pub and he headed for the counter. He breathed in the familiar beer smelland finally gave himself permission to relax. There was no sign of Travis but he wouldn’t be far away. Punctuality was important to his quiet-talking best mate. Unlike Camo, he’d always made his uni lectures on time and had his assignments in before the due date. Ewan hadn’t ever had to go searching for Travis after a night out on the grog, unlike Camo, who’d often been missing-in-action only to be later found in the girls’ dorms, or asleep on their front lawn.
    Bill, the barkeep, nodded at Ewan as he dragged