‘Did you want something else?’ Nathan started to walk past him but Simon took a dithery half-step at the same time and they came to an awkward halt.
‘Have the police said any more about what they think happened to Cameron?’
‘No. Why?’
‘Just interested. I liked him a lot. But the police are taking it seriously?’
‘I suppose. But it’s pretty much only the one cop around here anyway.’
‘I know. That’s so weird.’ Simon gave a half-laugh. ‘Is he coming out here to talk to us all?’
‘To the house?’ The guy hummed with a nervous energy that made Nathan itch. ‘Is it a problem if he does?’
‘No. Of course not.’ Simon opened his mouth, then seemed to think better of it and closed it again. They stared at each other.
‘How did you say you met Cam again?’
‘In the pub. When we arrived in town.’
‘From out west.’
‘That’s right.’
‘Quite hard to get here from out west this time of year,’ Nathan said. ‘Desert routes are mostly closed.’
‘Tell me about it. We had to take the scenic route. Looped south.’
‘Right.’ There were always more jobs than backpackers willing to do them in the outback, but Nathan wondered why Cam had picked this pair. There wasn’t even much to do that time of year. He thought about his phone call the night before.Thank you for thinking of Northern Blooms!‘Where did you say you guys were from again?’
‘In England? Hampshire.’
‘Is that in the north?’
‘No. South. Why?’
‘Doesn’t matter.’
‘Is it something to do with that woman you’re all talking about? Jenna?’ Simon’s voice was low and made Nathan turn his head.
‘Do you know something about that? Or about her?’
Simon caught his tone. ‘No. Of course not. Why would I?’
‘You’re the one who brought her up.’
‘Look –’ Simon glanced at the kitchen where they could hear Katy clattering dishes. ‘I’ve approached this all wrong. You don’t know us, I get that. But whatever’s happened with your brother –’ Simon lowered his voice another notch. ‘It’s not me or Katy you need to be worrying about.’
Nathan frowned. The guy was so skittish he was hard to read. ‘What do you mean? Should I be worried about someone else?’
‘Maybe not worried, exactly –’
‘That’s what you said.’
‘– I know, I meant, if youwere–’
‘For God’s sake, say it or don’t, mate.’
Simon swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. ‘I heard Cameron having an argument. With Harry. The week before he died.’
