For Luke the next few weeks passed in a happy blur. Each morning, as soon as Bear arrived home at the hut, the pair headed off across country to Binburra. It involved bushwhacking through rugged terrain, but was a much shorter route than the Binburra track, taking little more than an hour. And with the help of a machete, each trip saw the trail grow broader and more accessible.
Although Luke’s days were ostensibly spent doing odd jobs, in reality he spent most of his time assisting Daniel. Lewis, the station manager, soon gave up asking him to mend fences or re-roof the sheds.
‘Not now, Lewis,’ Daniel would say. ‘Adam and I are busy.’
Lewis then looked to Davey, the stable boy. This did not go down well with Davey, who complained to Daniel. ‘It’s not fair, sir. Why should I have to do Adam’s jobs as well as my own?’
‘It can’t be helped,’ said Daniel. ‘I need Adam with me.’
Luke learned how to catalogue new material in Binburra’s extensive private library. The natural history section housed one of the finest collections in Tasmania. He tended the native seedlings being propagated in glasshouses, studying the names and growth requirements of hundreds of indigenous plant species. His favourite task was assisting on day-long field trips, collecting seeds, cuttings and specimens. If only Belle would come along. It would be like the old days.
‘Come with us today,’ said Daniel one morning as Belle trotted past on her palomino filly. ‘We’re inspecting the platypus burrows you showed me. Bring your paints.’
Luke stopped stowing collecting jars in the pack. Would she say yes?
‘You’ll love it,’ said Daniel, ‘and so will Sasha. It’s been weeks since you came with me up the mountain.’
Belle’s lovely face creased in anger. ‘That’s because you no longer ask me. You always ask Adam.’
‘I’m asking you now,’ said Daniel. ‘And as for Adam, helping with field trips is part of his job.’
‘Well, you don’t need me then, do you?’ Belle rode off, spurring Whisky into a gallop up the waterfall track.
‘I believe she’s jealous,’ said Daniel. ‘Remember your first days at school?’
As if he could forget. They were burned into his memory.
‘Belle was jealous of you then, at first. But she came round. Shame we can’t tell her who you really are.’
More than a shame. An agony. He tried not to look too often into Belle’s green eyes, for fear that she would finally recognise him. He did not always succeed.
Daniel called Bear over and strapped a fully laden pack on his back. The dog barely noticed the weight. He was a handy packhorse in ridge country too steep and thickly timbered for riding.
‘I’ve solved the mystery of where he came from,’ said Daniel. ‘When we imported Sasha from England, five other Newfoundlands arrived with her. It seems your Bear was mistakenly left behind on the wharf and stolen overnight. He’s from champion stock, a valuable animal. There’s a handsome reward for his return.’
Luke put a protective hand on Bear’s collar. ‘He’s mine now.’
‘No argument there,’ said Daniel. ‘He’d have been well insured, and anyone who’d forget about a magnificent dog like this doesn’t deserve him.’
Luke tried to imagine his dog roaming the tame English countryside he’d seen in pictures, and failed. Bear’s home was these rugged highlands. He belonged to wild Tasmania now.
‘Come on,’ said Daniel. ‘We’ve got work to do.’
These excursions transported Luke instantly back to childhood. At the end of the day, he almost expected to wave goodbye and go home to his parents and sister. ‘I’ve written a letter to my family,’ Luke told Daniel shortly after he arrived at Binburra. ‘Saying that I’m here and I’m safe. Will you send it please?’
A shadow crossed Daniel’s face. ‘One letter, yes, but only to tell them you’re well, not where you are. Remember you’re a fugitive. Home is the first place the law will look. So much easier for your family if they genuinely know nothing of your whereabouts.’
Hard as it was to hear, this advice made sense. Protecting his loved ones meant everything. Still, one letter would be enough to lay their fears to rest. Enough to bring peace to a bereft mother. Enough to make a father glow with joy and pride. The thought sent a warm flush through him. Luke closed his eyes for a moment, imagining his father’s face when Mama read him the letter. Each dear feature was etched so clearly in his memory, he felt as if he could almost reach out and touch him.
‘I’ll keep writing letters, though,’ he said, grinning. ‘Even if I can’t send them. Even if Papa can’t read them.’
Daniel rubbed his forehead and then lowered his head. The silence hung heavy between them.
Luke’s smile slowly died. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘I should have told you . . .’
‘Told me what?’
Why wouldn’t Daniel meet his eye? A mounting fear snatched at Luke’s heart. He’d never seen his teacher so grave.
‘It’s your father. I’m afraid . . .’ Daniel looked up, his expression that of infinite warmth and compassion. It was far more frightening than his bowed head had been. ‘I’m afraid he’s dead.’
‘Dead?’ It made no sense. Papa was still young, in the prime of life. A powerful bull of a man. Luke couldn’t recall him ever being sick, not once. Men like that didn’t die. ‘When?’
‘Some time ago.’
Luke struggled to understand. ‘And you are certain of this, completely certain?’
Daniel pressed his lips together in a way that left no doubt.
‘How?’
‘A horse-riding accident.’
Luke heard himself gasp. That could do it. A fall could kill any man, even a man like his father. Tears flooded his eyes, leaked down his cheeks. Poor Mama. Poor Becky. Daniel seemed to be talking, but Luke couldn’t hear through the rush of blood in his ears. Dreams of one day returning to his old life? They were just that – dreams.
Luke sank to the ground. A moment later Daniel joined him. They stayed like that for the longest time. Through his fog of grief Luke felt strong arms wrap around him.
‘I cannot take your father’s place, Luke, but know this. I care for you like a son. You have a family here . . . always.’
These precious words soothed like butter on a burn. His old life was gone. His father was gone, but, by some miracle, he still had his teacher. Binburra was more important now than ever – his sanctuary, the one place he belonged.
It was a wrench then, at the end of each day, to leave Binburra and make the arduous trek back to his lonely shack. Daniel often urged him to stay. ‘Sleep in the shearers’ quarters, or have a room in the house if you’d rather.’
Yet Luke never stayed. His excuse was having to feed the little devils, but he also wanted to conceal Bear’s vanishing act at night. One afternoon, when he lingered later than usual chopping wood, the dog took off without him. Luke hurried home, and spent a sleepless night wondering if Bear would find his way back to the hut. The dog showed up as usual the next morning, but not unscathed. A bullet had grazed his hip.
Luke shuddered as he washed and cleaned the wound. What would happen if one morning he wasn’t there for Bear when he came home? Would the dog’s wild nature claim him? Would he melt into the forest, throwing his lot in with the doomed tigers? With hunters swarming the hills, their death was just a matter of time.
Tying up the dog proved useless. Even when he fastened him securely, he couldn’t stand Bear’s distress and inevitably freed him. Luke was bound to the hut as surely as he’d once been bound by prison walls. It was maddening.
And then there was Belle. He’d been sure she’d recognise him. It hit him hard when that didn’t happen, but the truth was that he barely recognised her either. They’d both changed so much. She’d grown from a skinny child into a stunning beauty, with flashing green eyes and the body of a woman. And no matter what he did or didn’t do, said or didn’t say, she remained implacably set against him.
His refusal to sell Bear hadn’t helped. Daniel made offers, each more generous than the last, willing to part with a small fortune in order to please his daughter. But friends weren’t for sale. Luke hoped that Belle wouldn’t ask him for Bear herself. He would hate saying no to her. As time went on, he realised he needn’t have worried. Belle barely acknowledged his existence. However, she did take every opportunity to steal Bear, luring him with pats and treats and walks. The dog was a willing truant, enjoying being spoiled and playing with the increasingly coquettish Sasha.
Belle’s animosity towards him cut deep. How could he get through to her without revealing who he was?
Late spring sunshine broke through the clouds. Luke was cutting fence rails, and Daniel was digging post-holes beside him. Unlike most gentlemen farmers, he enjoyed getting his hands dirty and often pitched in with the chores. They looked up as Elizabeth came down the path towards them carrying their lunch in a basket.
Daniel dropped his spade. ‘What’ve we got today, Lizzie?’
Luke laid down tools and washed his hands in a tin drum of water, placed to catch drips from the shearing shed roof. Lately it seemed to do nothing but rain. How he longed to swap his long walks and leaky hut for a cosy little room at the homestead.
Daniel had finally convinced him to bring the baby devils to Binburra, so they were building them a secure enclosure. A hollow log filled with hay in the corner of the shed served as a snug den and the wire-netting run would allow them to safely explore outside.
Elizabeth admired their handiwork. ‘Don’t forget we’re having dinner at the Mitchells’ tonight. Hope the weather holds. We must leave by five. Remind Belle if you see her.’
Luke and Daniel sat down in the sun to eat, their backs against the warm tin shed. Luke looked about for Bear, thinking to share his sandwiches. The big dog was gone again. Probably off somewhere with Belle. He was getting jealous of that dog. If only he could remind Belle of their childhood friendship. It was a connection he craved.
‘Another damned dinner party,’ said Daniel. ‘I suppose Belle must have her friends.’
Luke suddenly wished he could go to the party. Spend time with people his own age, have some fun. You’re a fool, he told himself, and banished the impossible idea from his mind.
After lunch, as they put the finishing touches on the devil run, Belle arrived with the two Newfoundlands trotting ahead of her, tails waving. Bear’s handsome coat was washed, combed and trimmed. Belle pointed to the new pen. ‘What’s this?’
Her father told her about the devils, and how she must help him keep meticulous records of their progress. The prospect of raising the little orphans captivated her, and she couldn’t resist interrogating Luke. Where did you get them? How old are they? Do they have names? What do they eat? Can you pat them? He answered all her questions as accurately as he could, delighted she was talking to him. His voice was low and respectful, but he couldn’t stop staring. How beautiful she was. Belle blushed and turned to hide it. Too late. It was the most charming thing he’d ever seen.
Daniel didn’t seem to notice. ‘Your mother asked me to remind you about dinner at Grace’s tonight.’
‘Will the Abbotts be there?’ asked Belle.
Luke frowned and went back inside the shed, picking up his tools. How he hated Belle having anything to do with the Abbotts. His sister’s bloody, tear-drenched face appeared before him. Daniel clearly didn’t know about the rape or he’d never allow his daughter near the man. Should he tell him? Surely four years was long enough to keep Becky’s secret?