Chapter 7

“Neighbours? Should we invite Jenny from number 3 then?”

Tas chuckled. “Sure, if you want her in the tent with us.”

* * * *

It was a long drive south, but the reward was breathtaking.

Tas had taken them off-road, through the giant karri trees and bracken fern, to a small clearing beside a river that flowed around smooth granite boulders ringed with moss. The air was filled with birdsong, and through it, Dane could just hear the rush of water flowing over rocks.

“This is unbelievable,” said Dane. “I’d forgotten what it was like.”

“Have you been here before?”

“No, but I’m an ex-country lad. I grew up in country like this.” He shook his head. “I can feel the stress just draining out of me. Unbelievable.”

Tas removed his shirt and shorts. “It’s food for the soul.” He tossed his discarded clothes into an open window of the car. “And what feeds the soul, feeds everything else.”