The Sunburnt Country Read Online Free PDF Page A

November?’ he asked as Renae dropped Zac’s change on the counter. ‘It doesn’t get this hot in the city.’
    Zac laughed. ‘Ya softcock. How would you know, when you’re in an air-conditioned office all day, and then you jump into your air-conditioned car straight to your air-conditioned house? I work out in that heat every day. And my old man still refuses to put in air-con at home. Says it’s for pansies. He likes to remind me that he grew up with just a wet sack hanging in the doorway to cool the breeze.’
    Renae clicked her tongue. ‘Yeah, you’re so tough, Zac,’ she said sarcastically. ‘Ignore him, Dan. I’ve spent every summer for years listening to him bitch and moan about the heat.’
    Zac squinted at Renae. ‘Haven’t you got glasses to wash or something? Dennis isn’t paying you to chat up the new customers.’
    Renae pulled a face and went to serve the old bloke at the other end of the bar.
    Daniel chuckled as he glanced at Zac, who had a week’s stubble across his strong jaw. ‘Not cool to upset the barmaid. She’ll cut your beer off,’ Dan said.
    ‘Nah. Not Nae. She loves it when I tease her. Besides, I’ve known her all my life and I’m one of her best customers.’ Zac scratched at his dusty arm, his nails lined with black dirt. ‘So, what are you doing in Bundara? You look a long way from home.’
    ‘Yeah, don’t I know it. But this is going to be my home for the next few months. I’m the relief bank manager.’
    ‘Oh, hey. Greg’s replacement. Man, I don’t envy you. You’re gonna be compared to the plague ’round here.’
    ‘Great. Thanks for the heads-up. So what do you do, Zac? I’m guessing farming?’
    ‘Yeah, I work with my old man and my brother on Baxter Plains. It’s outta town about ten k’s. Nine thousand acres, a few sheep and not much crop.’
    ‘Because of the drought? You really feeling it?’
    Zac studied Dan, choosing his next words carefully. ‘The whole bloody district is. Our farm is better off than some, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t struggling. I guess you’ll see all that when you start work. Man, I’d hate to be in your shoes.’
    Dan shrugged his shoulders. ‘It doesn’t worry me. It’s just a part of my job.’
    Zac almost choked on his beer. ‘You’d better not go around saying that too loud or too often. Folks won’t take too kindly to it. It may be a job to you but these are real people’s livelihoods you’re playing with.’
    ‘Oh, for sure. Sorry. I wasn’t thinking. No hard feelings?’ The look on Zac’s face wasn’t one of forgiveness but he shrugged his muscled shoulders.
    ‘You won’t upset me. I’ve got a duck’s back but I’m just warning you that others can be a bit testy. Lots of high-strung folks around at the moment,’ said Zac.
    Dan nodded, grateful for having met someone not easily offended. He glanced around the unfamiliar pub, feeling more foreign than ever. He had begun to realise that it wasn’t just the scenery; it was the people and their way of life that were different as well.
    ‘So, you camping at the pub the whole time or moving into the bank house?’ asked Zac.
    ‘My gear is coming down tomorrow, so it’s just the one night here.’ Thank God , he thought to himself.
    ‘All right. Well, I haven’t got much on over the weekend so if you need a hand, give me a call.’
    Dan smiled, a little shocked. ‘For real?’ If someone had offered to help in the city he’d be worried they were planning steal all his stuff. But this was the country. And there was something trustworthy about this bloke. Open and honest. Rare virtues. ‘Cheers, Zac. That’d be great.’
    ‘No worries.’
    ‘So what does a guy do around here for fun?’ Dan asked as he undid the top button of his shirt, the cool interior of the pub refreshing after the oppressive heat.
    ‘Well, we’ve got the pub and footy season, or we make our own fun.’
    Dan threw Zac a questioning look.
    ‘Don’t worry. Stick with