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Jill looked up to find two young women about her age hovering with their coffees. They were clearly not Australian—the accents gave them away immediately. English and Scottish by the sound of it. The café was packed with backpackers and tourists, every table full.

‘No, go ahead,’ Jill said, shifting her things to make room. ‘Only me.’

They sat with grateful smiles. Both girls were dressed in a way that made Jill feel scruffy in her faded singlet and board shorts, even though they were wearing standard backpacker gear—hiking pants and tank tops.

‘Thanks so much,’ said the one with dark hair pulled back in a neat ponytail. ‘I’m Amelia. This is Sophie.’

‘Nice to meet you. I’m Jill,’ she said.

‘Oh, you’re English!’ Sophie said immediately, her face lighting up. ‘I can hear it—only a trace, but it’s definitely there. Are you backpacking too?’

Jill laughed. ‘Sort of English. I was born there, but my family moved here when I was six. Dad got a job in Brisbane. I’ve been here sixteen years now, so I’m mostly Australian these days.’

‘That’s brilliant,’ Amelia said warmly. ‘We’re obviously fresh off the plane in comparison.’

‘First time in Australia?’

Sophie nodded enthusiastically. ‘Is it that obvious? We’ve been here three weeks, and we’re still not used to the sun. It’s brutal compared to home.’

‘It’s worse farther north and west, I hear,’ Jill said. ‘Are you heading up to the reef?’

‘We were,’ Amelia said, ‘but our travel companion bailed on us yesterday. She got homesick and decided to fly back to London. We’re trying to figure out if we should do the reef tour as a pair or change plans completely.’

‘That’s rough,’ Jill said sympathetically. ‘My friend has ditched me, too. Went back to Brisbane for her boyfriend.’

‘Seriously?’ Sophie’s eyes widened. ‘No man is worth giving up a trip for. If he was serious, he’d still be there when the travelling was done.’

‘Yep, spot on.’ Jill took a sip of her coffee, studying them. She had taken an instant liking to the two girls. They seemed decent. They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, sipping their coffees before chatting about their plans.

‘Where were you planning to go?’ Amelia asked. ‘Before your friend left?’

‘The outback,’ Jill said. ‘The real stuff, not the tourist routes. Small towns, red dirt, proper Australia. I’ve lived in Brisbane my whole life, and I’ve never seen it. Figured this was the time.’

Amelia and Sophie exchanged a glance—one of those silent conversations that happen between close friends.

‘We wanted to see the real Australia too,’ Sophie said slowly. ‘Not only beaches and cities and touristy places. But we don’t have a car, and we’re not sure where to start or how to do it safely.’

‘The outback seems like it needs more planning than just winging it,’ Amelia added. ‘Which is basically how we’ve been travelling so far. On and off the Greyhound bus as the whim took us.’

An idea was forming in Jill’s mind. Probably a crazy one, but her dad had always told her to trust her instincts, and her instincts were saying these two were okay.

‘I’ve got a van,’ she said casually. ‘Sleeps three if you don’t mind close quarters. My brother rebuilt Vera—she’s reliable. I’m an excellent driver, and I know enough to keep us safe. I know where to go, what to avoid. And honestly, I could use help with fuel costs and some company, so I don’t lose my mind talking to myself.’

They stared at her.

‘Are you offering to let us travel with you?’ Amelia asked carefully, as though she thought she might have misunderstood.

‘Yeah, I am,’ Jill said. ‘If you’re interested. We could head inland, see where we end up. Work along the way. If you need to work, that is. There are always jobs in country towns for people willing to do anything. Stay a few weeks in places that feel right, keep moving when they don’t. It would be a proper adventure in the outback.’

‘We don’t even know you,’ Sophie pointed out, though she was smiling.

‘And I don’t know you,’ Jill countered. ‘But I’ve got good instincts about people, and you both seem decent. Plus, I think you’re staying in the same hostel as me—I’m sure I saw you in the common room last night. We could do a trial run if you want? Head to the next town together, and see how we get on?’

Amelia was already pulling out her phone, opening notes. ‘What would we need? How do we split costs? What about food and campsite fees and—’

‘You’re very organised,’ Jill laughed. ‘We’d need to sort out details, sure, but honestly? Half the fun is making it up as we go.’

‘I like her.’ Sophie turned to Amelia. ‘She’s sensible but not boring. That’s a good combination in a travel companion.’