Red Queen Read Online Free PDF Page A

small.’
    ‘What’d she say?’
    He shrugged.
    ‘You talked?’
    ‘Obviously.’
    I passed him and opened the fridge to put the pears away. ‘So what did she say?’
    ‘I asked if she wanted a shower and she said yes.’
    ‘Did you look for the clothes together?’
    Rohan arched a doubtful eyebrow.
    ‘I haven’t seen anyone for bloody months. I just wanna know what she talked about.’
    The pipes hammered as she shut the taps off. They didn’t hammer if you turned the water off gently. I didn’t need to look at Rohan to know it irritated him. The shower door clunked open.
    ‘Does she reckon we can nick down the street and pick up new fittings and a shower door?’ he said.
    ‘Can’t we just do this nice? You know it’s hard enough.’
    He shook his head. ‘No, probably not.’
    I stared at him.
    ‘We’ll have stir-fried vegies for dinner. No meat. Not until we can be sure she won’t waste it on the chooks.’
    ‘Yeah.’
    ‘Go easy with fat.’
    ‘Yeah.’
    We fell silent.
    The taps in the bathroom ran briefly. I looked down the hall. There was the sound of something dropping in the bath. A quiet moment passed. Rohan was grinning at me.
    ‘What you thinking, Pup?’
    ‘Get stuffed.’
    I turned away.
    Denny opened the bathroom door and came out. She walked up the hall rubbing her index finger over her teeth, cleaning them.
    ‘Salt’s good for that,’ Rohan said. ‘Not that we’ve got a lot.’
    The work pants Denny wore were too big around her waist; she’d tucked the shirt into them. ‘Would you have anything I could use for a belt?’ she asked Rohan.
    ‘Not really.’
    I frowned at him.
    ‘There might be some offcuts of rope,’ he said after a moment.
    ‘Thank you.’
    ‘You’re welcome.’
    ‘You’ve got warm water,’ she said.
    ‘Yeah,’ I answered, butting in. ‘The hot-water system is set up through the combustion stove. We’re a bit spoilt. The stove’s almost out. You should try it when it’s fired-up.’
    ‘Or maybe not,’ Rohan said. ‘We’re not a health spa.’
    Denny continued addressing him. ‘I left my clothes in the bath tub. Where should I wash them? In the laundry sink?’
    ‘You’d know your way around.’
    ‘I’m sorry I came into your house, Rohan, and for taking some of your food. I think you would have done the same in my situation. I don’t mean to make things harder, or weaken things in any way. I respect what you’ve got here.’
    ‘Right,’ he said.
    ‘You tell me what to do, and I’ll do it.’
    I laughed. ‘I wouldn’t —’
    ‘Good,’ Rohan said. He got to his feet. ‘How old are you?’
    ‘Twenty-nine.’
    ‘How long have you been short on food?’
    ‘A couple of weeks. There wasn’t much at the farmhouse.’
    I drew in a breath to speak, but Rohan came in over the top of me.
    ‘I’m not real sure how it is we’re meant to trust you, Denny. But … you’re here … and it would be better if Shannon could spend more time collecting wood and with the sheep. You could do the things around the house. Except the cooking – we’ll do that. But how do I know you won’t whistle in your mates when I’m in the bush and Shannon’s in the paddock?’
    ‘I don’t know.’
    ‘Well that’s heartening.’
    ‘What can I say? There’s ID in my bag to prove I’m from Queensland. And I’d hoped what I’d done would prove that I’m alone. I’m the same as you – I want to survive this. And I agree; it’s safer to stay secluded. Too many people only pose a greater risk. What you’ve got here is amazing. You’ve got the ability to stay secluded and wait it out, and that’s got to be the best option. I agree with you.’
    ‘Well we’ll see, won’t we.’ Rohan looked at me. ‘You organise her bed. Then do dinner.’ He handed me the shotgun. ‘Don’t let her walk around alone.’

    ‘You play well,’ she said.
    I was bent over the blanket box.
    ‘Did you play in a band?’
    ‘Yes,’ I said straightening. ‘Just