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‘Yeah, no problem. I’ll check that Dee will be here, but I don’t think she’s got any plans to go to town.’ Ryan chuckled. ‘It all depends if we need nappies.’

‘Okay, I’ll let you know. Talk later. See ya, mate.’

Cy loaded the pick and the crowbar into the ute and headed down to the trees. After the first half hour, he’d shed his jacket; the mist burned away quickly as the sun climbed. The perspiration rolled off him and when he reached the end of the second trench, Cy headed for the ute to get his water. The noise of an engine caught his attention and he looked up. A black ute was heading down the track. The driver parked about twenty metres away from where Cy was standing, jumped out and sauntered over.

Cy frowned, wondering who it was. That Jerry guy wasn’t supposed to come until this afternoon.

‘Can I help you?’ he called out as the short stocky guy approached.

‘Gidday, mate.’ He held his hand out to Cy. ‘I’m sorry I’m early. I’m Jerry. I stuffed up. I have somewhere else to go this afternoon to see about another job so I called in on the off chance you might be here.’

‘Yeah, that’s fine.’ Cy gestured to the trees. ‘I’ve been working here for a couple of hours. I’m Cy.’

He was taken aback when the guy chuckled. ‘Gotta love it,’ Jerry said. ‘Anyway, I drove down when I couldn’t raise anyone at the house.’

Cy frowned, wondering where Tarni was. She should be up by now. ‘Right, so you’re after a few days’ work?’

‘I am, mate. I’m heading over to Camooweal in a couple of weeks. Going back to Queensland. My old man had some mango farms there, so I’m pretty experienced working with the trees.’

Cy shook his head. ‘I’m after someone to do some trench digging, I thought I said that on the phone.’

‘Look, mate, I’ve talked to so many people over the last few days, I can’t remember what the job here was. I don’t know if I’m coming or going half the time. Seems like there’s a big shortage of labourers around here.’

‘Yeah, you could say that.’ Cy stood back and checked him out. He was short but well-muscled. He’d either developed his muscles working out or by hard manual work. The ute was a bit clean for a work ute though. He nodded towards the vehicle. ‘New rig?’

‘Yeah, only had it a couple of weeks. Hasn’t got a scratch on it yet, but that won’t take long.’ Jerry laughed. ‘I got it to impress my old man.’

Cy was fast taking a dislike to Jerry, but he reminded himself he didn’t have to like him. As long as he could dig, it didn’t matter if he was a smart arse. He’d worked with all types on cattle stations out west. Seemed to be a thing with short guys. They always had to big-note themselves. He’d found that out more times than he could remember.

Jerry walked past him and looked at where Cy had been digging. ‘You’re not digging with a machine, hey?’

‘No, is that a problem?’

‘Nah, just wondered. With a spread like this, I thought you might have had all the bells and whistles.’

Cy bit back a smart reply. ‘The trenches are too close to the trees so I prefer to do it with a crowbar and a shovel.’

‘Yeah, I can do that. How many you got left?’

‘These two avenues are done.’ Cy walked through the trees and Jerry followed. ‘I’ve done that avenue up to the sixth tree and then I’m almost done with the next one. I’ll finish that today. If you’re happy to come tomorrow, that leaves trenches to be dug in three avenues as far as six trees in.’

‘Why only six trees in?’ Jerry asked.

Cy didn’t need to tell him about the hybrid program. ‘Because there are irrigation pipes that far already. What do you think? Interested in three days’ work?’

‘Not a problem if you’re happy to have me, I charge thirty-five bucks an hour, cash in hand. Half up front. Been caught too many times not getting paid.’

‘Sounds fair. I want someone who can finish the work and do it quickly.’

‘Well, Sir I—’ the smart arse drew out Cy’s name ‘—you got the right person here.’

‘When can you start?’

‘I can start this afternoon if you want.’

‘I thought you said you had to go and see about a job this afternoon.’

Jerry mimed hitting his forehead with the heel of his hand. ‘Fuckin’ oath. I told you I didn’t know what I was doing half the time. Yeah, I gotta go and see a bloke, so I better see him because he can give me a couple of days’ work before I start here, so when do you want me to work? I reckon three days will get it done. How about Friday, Saturday and Sunday?’