‘Makes sense. And it’s the best way to meet people and let them know what we’re here for.’
Ben shook his head in feigned disgust. ‘It’s also the best way to get a beer.’
‘Also true. We can stop by the police station on the way,’ said Justin.
‘No need, really. I thought I should drop by.’ The voice belonged to a man in uniform standing in the open doors at the front of the fire station. ‘I’m Ken Matthews. Local law.’
‘G’day.’ Justin held out his hand. ‘I’m Justin Turner. That’s my brother, Ben. I guess you were told we were coming.’
‘I was. Glad to see you, too. Last week’s fire isn’t going to be the last.’
‘We don’t think so either, that’s why we’re here. We’d appreciate your help. We want to identify places that need attention, get the residents to clear some firebreaks and train some volunteers.’
‘We have a few already, but I’m sure more will come forward.’
‘Good.’ Justin nodded. ‘The town has done a great job setting this place up. It looks like it hasn’t been used much.’
‘We’ve been lucky so far. But I suspect that won’t last much longer.’
‘It is shaping to be a busy season,’ Justin said. ‘I suspect we’ll need all the preparation and help we can get.’
At the table, Ben closed the lid of his laptop and stood up. ‘We were thinking that we should drop by the pub for a meal.’
‘Sure,’ Ken said. ‘I was going to suggest the same thing. I can introduce you to some of the townspeople.’
As they left the building, Justin had a good look around to get his bearings. The set-up was much as he remembered from their last visit. The fire service building, post office and police station were all in the same place, a side street that ran off the main road. The town hall, a large corrugated iron and timber building, was opposite. They’d used that as their base last time. They’d use it again if the worst happened and they needed to manage a big team here. Where the street joined the highway, a well-kept and welcoming pub stood on the opposite side of the main road.
As they approached the road, a red station wagon drove past. Justin recognised it. He strained to see the driver, but she was just a dark shape behind the wheel. He stopped walking to watch her drive past. Was she heading home? Maybe she lived close to Wagtail Ridge? Maybe he and Ben might simply bump into her at the pub or the shop or somewhere? He wasn’t sure how he would handle that. He did want to see their mother. And talk to her, but Ben’s short temper might be a problem. He’d have to figure out how to deal with that possibility … and soon.
‘Justin. Are you coming?’ his brother asked as he started to cross the road.
‘Yeah.’
The pub was busy when they entered. Justin looked around, hoping to see long blonde hair and a bright smile, but Anna wasn’t there. The three of them walked up to the bar.
‘Deb, these are the firefighters we were told to expect. Justin. Ben. This is Deb Fraser. She and her husband, Shane, run the pub.’
‘We may have met the other week. It’s good to have you here,’ Deb said. ‘What’ll you have? The first one is on the house.’
The brothers ordered beer.
The pub clientele were a friendly lot and Justin soon started to feel quite relaxed. He talked a bit about fire preparedness, and already several people had asked if he could come to their properties and give advice. And he also had a couple of prospective volunteers to train.
He was feeling pretty satisfied when a woman with bright orange hair appeared in front of him.
‘You must be our firefighters,’ she said. ‘I’m Val. I work at the post office. Let me know what you want to do with any mail that comes while you are here.’
‘Thanks. I will.’
‘Well. There are two of you.’ Val gave Justin and Ben a long look that left Ben, at least, looking like he was trying not to laugh.
‘You’ll soon figure out how to tell us apart,’ Justin said.
‘I don’t really believe you,’ Val said. ‘But then, I’m an old, married woman.’
Justin wasn’t sure how to take that comment.
‘I was wondering,’ Val continued. ‘We have a knitting club here in the Ridge. A group of women who meet regularly to stitch and bitch … Oops. Did I say that?’ Val tossed her head coquettishly, her neon hair bouncing as she did. ‘Anyway, if you’re here to help us all prepare for the bushfire season, we would be grateful if maybe one of you—or both, for that matter—could come and give us a bit of a talk. I’m sure there’s a lot you could teach us.’
