Free Silver Clouds by Fleur McDonald Page A

‘What?’
    Ryan shrugged.
    Paul patted her knee affectionately. ‘Relax, love. Drink your beer. She’s probably flaked out somewhere. It’s been a big day for us all.’
    An elderly lady appeared. ‘Excuse me, dear. I’m Elsie, a friend of Violet’s. And this is Frank, an old friend of mine.’
    Peggy jumped to her feet and put out her hand. ‘Hello. We’re Paul and Peggy. I was going to come and talk to you, but I didn’t seem to quite get there. Thanks for coming. It must have been a long drive. Where have you come from?’
    While Peggy talked, Harrison offered Elsie his chair, then grabbed another two from close by.
    Elsie made herself comfortable and the man sat down in the chair beside her.
    â€˜Only from Balladonia, today. We left Kalgoorlie yesterday. That was the big drive.’
    â€˜Would you like to stay here tonight?’ Peggy offered.
    â€˜Thank you, dear, but we’ll be fine. We both know this country very well, from a long time ago.’
    â€˜Really? Did you meet Violet out here?’
    â€˜I stayed out here quite a bit in the forties. There were a few early birds out here, before the land really started to open up in the sixties. My father worked with your grandfather, Paul.’
    â€˜Is that right? Well, I never! I bet you could tell us some stories. I can’t believe we haven’t heard about you, Elsie. I feel very rude.’ Paul looked incredulous.
    â€˜Don’t feel like that.’ Elsie brushed aside Paul’s apology. ‘But I’ve always kept in touch with Violet. She was such a good friend.’ Her eyes misted over for a moment and Frank placed his wrinkled, sun-spotted hand on her shoulder. Then she brightened as she continued. ‘I really wanted to see Tessa before I left. I have something for her. Do you know where she’s gone?’
    Everyone looked around. Tessa was nowhere to be seen. Harrison shifted in his seat uneasily.
    â€˜I’ll go and find her,’ Peggy said, getting up from her chair.
    â€˜No, Peggy, I’ll go,’ Harrison said firmly and left the group quickly. He didn’t want Peggy stumbling upon something she didn’t need to see.
    He walked into the house and called out, but there was no answer. He scouted around the chook shed then headed over to the shearing shed and stuck his head inside. He heard Tessa laugh and say, ‘So, where is your station, Brendan?’
    â€˜To the north of here. Another drink?’
    â€˜That would be very nice.’
    Harrison heard the glug of wine being poured and tossed up whether to go inside or not. The decision was made for him, when Brendan said, ‘So, Miss Mathison, are you staying around Danjar Plains for long. I’d like to get to know you a bit better.’
    â€˜If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were flirting with me, Mr McKenzie,’ Tessa said coyly.
    â€˜What gives you that idea? Now come and sit next to me.’
    For a moment all went silent. Disgusted, he turned and left. Brendan had certainly worked his charm very quickly. And Tessa had responded the way he thought she would.
    Back in the garden he summoned a smile. ‘I’m really sorry, Elsie, but I can’t find Tessa. I suspect she may have slipped off to the shearers’ quarters for a sleep. She’s still a bit jetlagged, I reckon.’
    Elsie looked disappointed. ‘Ah well, not to worry.’ Pulling a large white envelope out of her bag, she turned to Peggy. ‘I wonder if you could give her this? Before Tessa opens it, though, she and I need to have a conversation.’ Elsie winked.
    Paul and Peggy exchanged glances. ‘That sounds a bit mysterious,’ Peggy said.
    â€˜It probably does, but that’s the way Violet wanted it done.’
    â€˜Well, we can’t argue with her, never could,’ Paul said.
    â€˜Not a chance in hell,’ Elsie agreed.
    Peggy smiled. ‘Look, are