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‘Sounds like something out of Days of Our Lives,’ Tarni said.

‘Just about. I won't tell you my story yet. It’s even more complicated. Did Cy tell you Joe was in prison?’

Tarni nodded slowly. ‘Yes, he did.’

‘He’s been struggling with that for quite a few years now, ever since Joe went to jail. And I think Joe passing might be a relief for him. For all of us. It really changed Cy when his father went to jail. I hope I’m not speaking out of turn or that you don’t want to hear this.’

Tarni picked up her coffee and looked at Dee over the rim of the mug. ‘No, Cy and I have established a good friendship since we’ve been working together. He took me to the hospital when I hurt my hand last week, and he went to visit Joe before he passed away.’

‘Oh, that’s good. He did go and see him. We wondered.’

Tarni didn’t comment. Cy’s personal business had nothing to do with her. ‘To be honest, when I first came to the farm, I didn’t want to share the house with anybody. We had a cold start.’

A small smile played around Dee’s lips. ‘He’s not bad-looking, is he?’

Tarni blushed, and then she smiled. ‘Okay, I’ll give you that. He’s very good-looking.’

‘So, you've noticed.’

‘Maybe.’

The sound of a crying child came down the hall, soon followed by a second. Dee put her coffee down and stood up. ‘Well, there goes my rest time. Come along and meet the terrible twins.’

Tarni rinsed her cup before putting it in the sink.

‘How old are they?’

‘Almost three. They are the lights of our life,’ Dee replied.

‘You don’t mind living this far out?’

‘No, I enjoy it. It is nice to go to Darwin occasionally, and I love catching up with Ryan’s family. I hope you meet them before you leave the farm. Sandra and her husband—her second husband—are overseas in Africa. Graysen is a famous photographer. Their youngest sister, Dru, is about to have another bub. Emma and Jeremy, Ryan’s oldest sister and her husband, are both doctors at the hospital.’

‘Wow, what a family.’

They walked along the hall to the loud cries of two children.

‘What about you, Tarni? What’s your family situation?’

‘I don’t want to sound like Little Orphan Annie, but it’s just me these days,’ Tarni said. ‘So, if I do decide to stay up here, I don’t have to tell anyone.’

‘Oh, that’s so sad. You need a friend.’ Dee linked her arm through Tarni’s. ‘Come and meet the boys and prepare yourself for chaos.’

Chapter 32

McLaren Mango Farm - Saturday morning

Dean

Dean was confused when he left the correctional centre. Russell had treated him as though he wasn’t even a mate, and telling him not to come back again had left him a little bit pissed off. Russell had organised the ute and some decent cash, but who was doing a damn big favour for the bastard, and he’d been treated like shit?

Dean stewed over yesterday’s visit as he drove down the highway to the mango farm. He should turn around and head west like he’d always planned. But as he thought about it, he remembered what Russell had done for him in jail.

Russ’s problem yesterday must have been jealousy. Dean knew how good he felt since he’d been outside. Russell was probably jealous of his freedom, and that’s why he’d acted strange yesterday.

He’d accepted the money, had a ute, and, best of all, he had a new identity and no fucking record. He might be a criminal, and he might not be honest a lot of the time, but he’d do what Russell had organised.

But stuff this gradual doctoring of a few mls here and a few mls there, he’d use what was left in the bottle today and take off. He’d dump all the coolant into the water filter. If she drank it and died, he’d done his job. If she didn’t, he’d done his best, and who would know anyway? It would have been easier to strangle the bitch