Cody dug the old vegetable garden. One of the books, on the shelves, said it was better to till the soil and add some compost months before planting the seeds.

According to the book, autumn was the best time to sow in northern Australia. Summer was too hot and wet. It was good soil. The old man must have known his stuff when it came to vegetables. The bed was raised and held in place by some old railway sleepers. Worms wiggled and squirmed in the dirt, a good sign by all accounts if the book was accurate.

When playing his guitar on the verandah Cody decided to go into town. If it rained, he couldn't do much outside work. He thought he'd get some paint for the bathroom and toilet, to work indoors when the time came.

He tidied the house, washed his dirty clothes by hand, because he didn't have a machine, and then checked his stores to see if he needed anything. Later he took Max for a swim in the creek because he planned to go to Snakes and be home late. Cody wondered if Chastity was rostered to work at the bar. It was a weeknight and she'd said she only worked in the evenings if it was busy. Cody couldn't imagine Snakes being busy that often.

At the hardware shop, he bought some light blue paint to cover the white; the colour might brighten the place.

He headed to the pawnbrokers and made his way through the shelves, old CDs and books, DVDs and crockery, Radios and TVs. Maybe he'd get a TV and DVD player. When the wet came, he could fill in his days watching TV.

An old Driza-bone hung on the wall. The leather was velvety and well-worn. He looked at the pawnbroker and said, "How much do you want for this?"

"Fifty bucks. It's in good nick, been well oiled, so it's nice and flexible."

"And the TVs? Do they work?"

"Yeah, they work," the pawnbroker said in annoyance. "What do you think I'm running here? They got warranties on 'em. Three months. The same goes for all the electrical stuff."

Cody nodded and moved into the next aisle. A pile of old comic books lay scattered on the shelf. He'd seen similar ones because his father had a few from when he was a kid. Some could bring in good money. Betty and Veronica, Archie, and The Phantom. He'd take a few.

The bell above the door clanged. He looked through the shelves and heard the pawnbroker say, "What you got, Fin?"

"It's the watch, Mister Sagus." Her voice was quiet and timid.

Cody moved around the end of the shelves and into the aisle closer to the counter. He ran his gaze over the cutlery, old saucepans, glasses and cups, then focused on the girl. He'd only seen the back of her and a glimpse of large frightened eyes.

In the daylight, her hair was a beautiful chestnut brown, with lighter sun-bleached streaks. It was thick, wavy and hung halfway down her back. She wore boy's clothing, and because the pants and long-sleeved shirt were too big, an old leather band held it all together. The belt gave her small frame shape, what was above and below, Cody had no idea because the clothing bulked out around her.

"What does he want?" the pawnbroker said.

"For you to hold it over until dole day. He doesn't want to sell it."

Cody stepped into the open with the comics. She looked at him wide-eyed and then looked away.

Sagus asked, "How much does he want?"

The girl hesitated. She looked at Cody again. He sensed she didn't want to answer the pawnbroker while he stood there so he moved around to the other side of the counter and looked into the glass case.

"He wants two hundred, Mister Sagus," she murmured.

She was pretty. Somehow, Cody knew she would be. Blue eyed. He liked blue eyes on a woman. He watched her swallow, and then push her hair behind her ear. She looked across at him from under her fringe and swept her hair forward again to hide her face.

It was too late. Cody caught sight of the bruise. He wondered what her father had hit her for this time.

"How much do you want him to have, Fin?"

Her eyes darted towards Cody, and then back at the pawnbroker. "A hundred."

Karl Sagus nodded and opened the till. "You tell him it's all the credit I'd give him. I want you to collect this on Thursday."

She nodded and whispered, "Thanks," as she took the money.

Again, Cody saw her stare at him like a frightened rabbit before she turned and hurried away.

The pawnbroker jerked his head after her and glanced at Cody. "She's got it tough that one."

"What's the story with her?" Cody unhooked the Driza-bone, and then put it on the counter. He threw the comics on top of it. "I'll have these."

"Old man's a drunk. That's her story." Karl shoved the coat into a plastic bag. "Mother died eleven, twelve years ago. She's been picking up the pieces since. He don't seem to be able to get a handle on things but she won't leave him. Scared, I think. Afraid of the world I reckon." He paused and waved his hand over the bag and comics. "I'll take fifty for the lot. Those cartoons have been here for years. No good to me." He threw them in on top of the coat.

"I'll be back for one of your TVs and DVD players." Cody handed Sagus fifty dollars. "You're sure they work? I'm out of town and don't want to be running backwards and forwards if they fuck up."

"They work just fine. I'll even give you an extra three months warranty to prove I don't sell shit."

Cody chuckled. He lifted the bag with the coat and comics, then nodded in farewell. "You better remember you said that when I come in next time."

"I'll remember," the old man said as he yanked his head.

Cody put the lot into his truck and made his way to the pub. That's where the girl would be. At least it's where her father would be. He went to the bar and sat in the corner. He liked corners. No one could sneak up on you.

"How's life, Mister Compton?"

Cody laughed. "Life's alright." He looked around the bar, and then back at Snake. "I'll have a Hahn Light."

The girl's father sat at the counter. Cody swept his gaze around the rest of the room. She was in the back huddled in one of the booths. Her feet were on the seat. Her arms wrapped around her knees with her face hidden. He looked back at Snake and tilted his head toward Findlay. "He hit her again?"

"Nothin' unusual." Snake shrugged. "They say you're livin' in old Mac Jorgensen's place. You rentin' it?"

"Yep. News travels fast." Cody smiled and took a mouthful of his beer. "Why'd he hit her this time?"

Snake followed Cody's gaze. "Not comin' back with enough money." He peered at Cody. "Mac's place sold maybe a year ago. No one knows who bought it. Do you know?"

"Nah... just pay the rent to a real estate in Cairns. Send a direct payment."

"Well, you better make sure you're set up for the wet. That place can hold a man for three months if it's a good season."

"I know. I'm ready for it." Cody grinned. "Lookin' forward to it." He took another mouthful of his beer and then used the bottle to indicate the girl. "Did you do something again?"

"Course..." Snake scowled. "Always do, though it only stops him from doin' it a second time on the same day." He raised his eyebrows in question. "I told you to mind your own business if you don't want a bullet in your backside."

Cody laughed, "I remember."

"Maybe you should listen."

"Maybe I'm deaf."

"Deaf and dumb I reckon," Snake laughed. He moved to the dishwasher and stacked the dirty glasses.

At the sound of laughter, Fin raised her head. The stranger sat at the bar grinning at Snake. She pushed herself further along the seat hoping he hadn't noticed her. Seeing him at the pawn shop had been a shock. Fin hadn't seen him since the night in the car park, and she'd hoped he'd been too occupied to have known or cared who she was.

Snake's niece had been close to him when they stood at the bar. He'd had his hand on her backside. There was no way Fin would let a man do that to her. She wondered how other women did.

As she'd struggled to get her father around the back of the vehicles, she saw the stranger standing with his eyes closed, labouring to breathe. At first, she'd wondered if he was okay then saw Chastity on her knees with her mouth on him. The sight had shocked Fin.

Buried memories of the Gallos came to the forefront of her mind. Even though they had raped her, she hadn't seen what they looked like, because she'd kept her eyes squeezed shut against the pain. Fin had hoped if she didn't look, she wouldn't remember.

But, she did.

She wondered if the stranger had forced Chastity to let him do it to her but it hadn't looked like Chastity was fighting him. Fin took a deep breath to steady her nerves. She hid her face in her knees and closed her eyes. He had blonde hair, a nice face and kind brown eyes. It didn't mean anything though. Lots of men had nice faces and kind eyes, it didn't mean they were nice or kind.

His eyes had looked sad at the pawnbrokers. She wondered why. Perhaps he had to sell stuff for money too. Maybe he drank a lot like her father.

She was certain he'd recognised her because he had stared at her when she spoke to Mister Sagus. He had been listening; she was sure. Now he'd know her business. It embarrassed her to think he knew she had to keep money from her father. A secret Mister Sagus kept for her.

Fin lifted her head once more. He was staring at her again. She didn't like it when men stared at her. Another surge of anxiety gripped her stomach. She wished he'd go away.

Wow!  They've finally got to see each other in daylight.

Cody seems impressed, but poor Fin doesn't want to have a bar of him. 

A couple of terms you might not be sure of.  A Driza-bone is a Jackaroo's coat made of soft leather which is oiled or waxed to keep it waterproof.  Image below and at the top of the page. And if you're wondering what a Jackaroo is, that's a male stockman or, as in America, a cowboy.  Australian female stockman/women (cowgirls) are called Jillaroos.  

Fin mentions 'dole day'. Dole is another term for welfare. Dole day is the day you receive your payments.  Money paid by the government to those who are unemployed.  We also call it Centre Link or Benefits.  Centre Link is the government department you have to apply to so you can receive the payments.