Tess picked up the Chiko Roll and examined it. “So what is it?”
He grinned. “Australia’s version of the spring roll. Miscellaneous filling, but cabbage is definitely one ingredient.”
She glanced at him, her doubt clear, and then shrugged and took a large bite. She chewed slowly, a frown on her face as if trying to figure out what she was eating. When she swallowed, Ed asked, “What’s the verdict?”
“It’s… interesting.” She took another bite. “The outside’s kind of crisp and the inside’s mushy.”
Ed sipped his coffee as she continued her exploration, taking a nibble of just the outside.
“It’s not bad,” she finally said. “Easy to eat as well.”
The rest of his sandwich still sat in its wrapper on his lap. He’d get to it when he’d finished his coffee. “Next stop you’ll have to try the Corn Jack.”
“I don’t understand why you’re excited about all this fried food.”
“It’s kind of tradition,” he said. “A road trip isn’t complete without some kind of slightly dodgy, been-lying-on-the-bain-marie-all-day food that you regret buying.”
She shook her head. “Australia is a strange country.”
“Have you been here long?”
“Eighteen months, but this is my first road trip.”
“Then I’ll have to make sure it’s memorable,” Ed said. “Roadhouse food can be checked off the list.”
“What else is on it?”
He thought about it. “First kangaroo—dead or alive, being stuck behind an oversized load, almost being blown off the road by a road train, and up this way, first termite mound.”
The concern was back on her face, and he laughed. “Don’t worry. I’m mostly joking.”
“That’s not reassuring,” Tess muttered, but smiled at him.
“So what have you done in Perth?”
“Not much. University keeps me busy, and I work in a restaurant when I’m not at class.”
A shame. What was the point of studying overseas if you didn’t get to experience any of the culture? “I can give you a list of places to visit in Retribution Bay.”
She hesitated, and then nodded. “That would be great.”
“Were your friends picking you up from the airport?” They were out of phone range.
“Ah, no. They are flying in tomorrow.” She glanced out the window and her hand shook as she sipped her coffee.
The heater was as high as it would go, so she couldn’t be cold. Was she nervous? “We should be there by then.” He tried to put her at ease. “Next time we stop, you should call them. I’m happy to speak to them if they want to know who you’re driving with.”
“I might.”
There wasn’t much else Ed could do to make her comfortable. It was a weird situation for both of them. He finished his coffee and handed the cup to Tess. The hire company had been kind enough to provide them with a plastic bag for a bin. “There’s one more road trip requirement.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and handed it to Tess. “Music. You want to be DJ?”
Her smile was a little unsure. “OK. Let’s see what you’ve got.” She scrolled for a minute and then pressed play. AC/DC blared from the small speaker.
Ed grinned. She kept surprising him.
They were making good time, but after four hours of driving almost non-stop, Ed needed a break. Not long until they reached Geraldton, where they could get an early lunch and maybe Tess could drive for a stint. She’d kept up a good range of tunes as they drove, but spent most of the time staring out the window. She must have dropped off a few times, because occasionally she’d jerk and glance at Ed with fear in her eyes.
The third time it happened unease crept into Ed’s stomach. What was she so fearful about? He understood it could be disorienting to wake in a strange car, but it wasn’t confusion, but real terror in her eyes.
