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signed up for the militia, I got the flag flying, I’m a paid-up member of the Republic of Outer Barcoo. But that don’t necessarily mean I go along with … well, you know … the religious stuff, it’s just not my billy of tea. So you’re gonna have to explain the Bible bit.’
    â€˜Book of Ruth. Old Testament. Ruth says to Naomi, her mother-in-law, that no matter where Naomi goes (and they’re both widows, see?) she’llgo with her. She’ll never leave. Wither thou goest, I will go. My pa wanted a Ruth for a daughter.’
    Danny turns the rim of his Akubra in his hands, round and round, as though he’s a clock gone crazy. He flicks his eyes up at Jodie then looks at the floor again. ‘I don’t get it,’ he says.
    â€˜In plain English, he took for granted that I’d always tag along. To wherever. To western Queensland, to Outer Barcoo. To nowhere. To here.’
    â€˜This ain’t nowhere.’
    â€˜Yeah? You think?’
    â€˜Outer Barcoo ain’t nowhere. But what about your mum? What does she—?’
    â€˜None of your business.’
    â€˜Where are you from, Jodie-Ruth?’
    â€˜Before here? Texas. Before that? South Carolina. We got secession in our DNA.’
    â€˜Dunno what you’re talking about, but I knew your dad was a Yank, so I knew you were too. I knew that before you even opened your mouth. You sure do talk like a Yank.’
    Jodie throws her ballpoint pen at Danny. It hits him like a feather and bounces onto the floor. ‘That’s an insult,’ she says. ‘Don’t you know better than to call a Southerner a Yankee? I don’t talk anything like a Yankee because I’m not one and nor is my pa.’
    Danny rolls his eyes and scratches his head. ‘Yanks are Yanks,’ he says.
    â€˜Neither of us has ever even been north of the Mason-Dixon line.’
    â€˜Dunno what you’re talking about, but a Yank is a Yank.’
    Jodie says sourly, ‘That’s like calling an Aussie a Pom. How would you like it if I said you talked like a Pommie?’
    â€˜But I don’t.’
    â€˜Exactly my point. Please get it into your thick head that I’m not a Yankee and I don’t sound like one. So. If you’re here to apply for a passport, here’s the form. If you’re here to sign up for the militia, there’s a different—’
    â€˜I already signed up for that with your dad.’
    â€˜If you are here for currency exchange, I got Aussie dollars in a locked strongbox.’
    â€˜You are really something , ain’t you, Miss Not-a-Yankee Jodie-Ruth?’
    â€˜You got a problem, I can put you down for an appointment with the President of the Republic.’
    â€˜You mean your dad?’
    Jodie meets Danny’s gaze steadily until he drops his eyes.
    â€˜Your dad’s got a bit of a reputation,’ he says, ‘when it comes to his kid.’
    â€˜Trigger-happy, is that what you heard? You got that right. With a temper that’s always on the boil.’
    â€˜But we understand that. It’s natural.’ Danny’s tone is subdued, respectful, peace-making. The rim of his Akubra turns faster and faster in his fingers. ‘A man’s gotta protect his girls. Women, you know, we gotta take them under our wing because they can’t look after themselves.’
    â€˜The premier of Queensland,’ Jodie says tartly, ‘is a woman.’
    Danny spits on the floor of the capitol building. ‘Right,’ he says. ‘There you go. F-ing Blighty. Goes down on the toy boys, we reckon. Doesn’t it just make you sick?’
    â€˜Certain things,’ Jodie says, ‘do indeed make me sick. They make me very sick indeed.’
    Danny raises his eyes to hers then nervously drops them again.
    â€˜I done something to offend you?’ he asks.
    Jodie ignores this. ‘Are you here to change currency? Or for a