‘Wow! Just look at you.’ Snook, hands on hips, looked Jars up and down as she climbed from the car. He let out a wolf whistle. ‘New jeans, new shirt, new shoes, new everything by the looks of it.’

‘Jealous, Snook?’ She posed and cocked her head to one side.

‘Nah, not likely. I don’t like new stuff. Cramps your style it does, having to keep clean and all that.’

Jars smiled. She’d had a good morning. Her aunt and uncle had taken her to the shops in Queenstown, refusing her offer to pay for the purchases. ‘No, you keep your money,’ her uncle had said, ‘but I wouldn’t say no to a cup of coffee if you want to buy us one.’

They were sitting in a small cafe, sipping drinks. Her aunt turned to face her. ‘Jars, we know how hard it is for you, being forced to come to a strange place, but we want you to try and relax and think of us as your new family.’

Her uncle nodded, agreeing. ‘Yeah, well that’s right. Maybe you can help keep that son of ours in line as well.’ He grinned, then added, ‘Mind you, that’ll be no easy task. He’s a right tearaway, that’s for sure. Anyway,’ he said, changing the subject, ‘this camping trip we’re going on should help us get to know each other. Sort of get us off on the right track.’ He took a sip from his coffee mug and looked towards his wife.

Jars’ aunt smiled. ‘Oh, I’m sure it will. The three of you and the Quigley boy will have a great time, I’m sure.’

‘There’s no doubt about that,’ Jim Kelly said, rising. ‘Anyway, if you’ve finished your drinks, we’d better get back. Make sure Snook’s loaded the trailer.’

‘So,’ Snook said, ‘you had a good morning, eh? Well, we’re about to change that. We gotta go see Quigley directly.’

Jars raised her eyebrows as she looked at Snook. ‘You really don’t like him. Do you Snook?’

‘Can’t stand the little twerp. Don’t like his old man either. He’s a real pain in the butt. You’ll see. So as soon as you’re ready, we’ll go see him.’ Snook turned on his heel and disappeared into the shed to finish loading, leaving Jars standing and wondering what they were in for. After he’d finished the job, he came out to fetch her.

Walking up the main street of Cray Bay, they had a clear view of the Quigley house. ‘It’s that big place on the hill,’ Snook said. ‘Old man Quigley reckons he can keep an eye on the town from up there.’

Jars hurried to keep up with Snook. ‘There’s a lot of shops with his name on them.’

‘Oh, yeah, he owns half the places in town – the deli, the hardware shop, the souvenir place. And he’s got the cray boat that dad skippers.’

‘He must be very rich,’ Jars said.

‘That’s what he tells everybody. He’s always raving on about how important he is too.’

‘Is he important?’

‘I suppose so. He’s on the school committee and he’s President of the Piscatorial Society. He’s a church elder too.’‘

He sounds like a real bigwig.’

‘Yeah, whatever.’

They came to the beach and Snook drew to a halt. ‘That’s the boat Dad skips, over there, tied to the jetty.’ Jars followed Snook’s gaze, her eyes travelling first to the cray boat, then to the long sandy beach. ‘This is the first time I’ve seen it.’

‘What?’

‘The sea. I’ve never seen the sea before, except when I was on the plane, but that was from a distance.’ She watched as the waves, hissing and coughing, curled onto the sand before retreating with a slurp, back into the shallows.

‘What are those birds?’ she asked.

‘What birds?’

‘The white ones, the ones flying around and sitting on the water.’

Snook laughed. ‘Where have you been? Don’t you know what a seagull is when you see one?’ He shook his head. ‘Bloody hell, have you got some learning to do, or what?’ Without waiting for a response, Snook pointed towards the big house on the hill. ‘C’mon. We follow the beach along the esplanade, then turn off at Quigley’s driveway further up.’

The driveway that led to the house wound through a large, neatly mown lawn, where a few shrubs had been planted in a tasteful design. They came to the door. Snook pushed a button and waited.

Behind her, Jars could still hear the constant lapping of the waves and the cries of the guIls. Then, without warning, she reached out and grabbed Snook by the arm.

He turned to her. ‘Hey, why the worried look on yer face? It won’t be that bad. Trust me.’

‘It’s not that, Snook.’

‘What is it then?’

She bit her bottom lip. ‘A cockatoo. Over there. In that gum tree. I heard it cry out.’

‘So what? Cockatoos, seagulls, whatever. They’re only birds.’

Jars let go of Snook’s arm. ‘They scare me,’ she said, ‘it’s like they’re always watching.’ But Snook wasn’t listening.

Mrs Quigley answered the door. At first sight, Jars immediately thought of a sparrow – tiny, watchful, twitchy. She was dressed as though she was going somewhere – elegant blue dress, expensive looking necklace and brooch.

‘Hi, Mrs Quigley,’ Snook said. ‘Is Quenton home? We gotta see him about going camping. Mr Quigley told my dad he wanted him to come with us, so I gotta tell him where we’re going.’

‘Hello Snook. How nice to see you and your, er, friend. Yes, Quenton is in the games room I think. Please, come in. I’ll take you to him.’ The words gushed from her mouth in shrill squeaks. ‘And who is your friend, Snook?’ Mrs Quigley chirped, starting to lead the way.

‘Jars,’ Snook said to her back. ‘She’s my cousin from the Northern Territory. She’s gonna stay with us.’

‘Oh, my, is that so?’ Mrs Quigley said over her shoulder. They came to the games room. ‘Yes, he’s here.’ She pointed to the far end. Jars noticed that her hand trembled. ‘He’s over there on the lounge chair. He’ll be examining the new camera his father gave him. Now, I expect my husband should hear the details of your excursion. I’ll see if he’s available.’

Both Jars and Snook watched as Mrs Quigley walked over to what looked like an office door. It was to their left, near the main entrance to the room. She knocked, then listened.

A deep voice came from inside. ‘Yes? Who is it?’

‘It’s the Kelly boy and his cousin,’ she replied, her voice quivering. ‘He’s here to see you about the camping trip.’

‘Tell them to wait, I’ll be out in a minute. And don’t interrupt me again; you know I’m busy.’

Mrs Quigley bobbed her head up and down, more of a reflex action than a casual nod. ‘I – I’ll leave you now.’ She hurried from the room, her steps silent on the thick carpet.

‘Hey, Quigley,’ Snook called across the room, ‘you still going camping with us?’

Quenton looked up, seeing Snook for the first time. ‘Yes, I am. And kindly don’t call me by my last name. I don’t like it. You know that. I’ve told you a thousand times, my name’s Quenton.’

Snook laughed. ‘Anyway,’ he said, walking across the room, ‘just get down to my place this afternoon with your stuff. We have to pack it on the trailer today. That way we can get an early start tomorrow.’

Quenton rose from the chair. ‘I got a new camera to take,’ he said, holding it out for Snook to see. ‘It’s a digital single lens reflex. Top of the range, my dad says. I’ll really get some good pictures with this.’

Snook grinned. ‘Yeah, if you learn how to point it first.’

Quenton pouted and turned to place the camera on a nearby coffee table. ‘Oh,’ he said, surprise in his voice, noticing Jars for the first time, ‘I didn’t see you standing there. Who are you?’

Jars introduced herself.

‘What?’ he said. ‘Snook’s cousin? And you’re going to live with the Kellys?’ He turned to face Snook. ‘So, I suppose you’ll be hanging around with her now instead of me. Well, I’ll tell you something. She won’t fit in around here. Look at her. Her skin’s the wrong colour for a start.’

‘Now you listen here,’ Snook said, taking a step forward, his voice rising. ‘Watch your mouth. One more word like you’ve just said and I’ll …’

Jars held up her hand. ‘It’s all right, Snook. Don’t worry about it. He probably hasn’t seen an Aboriginal before.’

At that moment, the door to the office opened and a large man dressed in a grey suit emerged. Hairless, except for small grey tufts behind his ears, and eyes that drooped like soft putty, he walked, or rather waddled, across the room. He stood, towering above them.

‘What have we got here then? Not causing any trouble are you Snook Kelly? And the girl with you? Must be your cousin your father was telling me about I suppose.’

‘We just come to tell you we’re going to Timber Creek on our camping trip. Quenton will need to pack his gear this afternoon, so if you could bring him over to my place, we can …’

‘What? Timber Creek? Why there? I thought you would camp nearer to home. On the beach. Or down by the river.’ Tiny white flecks formed at his lips as he spat the words out.

‘Nah,’ Snook continued. ‘Dad knows the ranger who’s gonna put us onto a good spot near the lake. It’s all been decided.’

‘Humph, we’ll see about that.’ He reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and took out a mobile phone. After a few rings, it was answered. ‘Listen, Kelly, your son tells me you intend going to Timber Creek. Why on earth go all that way when there are perfectly acceptable areas around here?’

Jars and Snook watched and listened to the phone conversation while Quenton Quigley continued to inspect his new camera. Grinning, Snook nudged Jars in the ribs. Mr Quigley suddenly began to splutter.

‘Now look here, Kelly. Need I remind you that I’m your boss and what I say …’ He paused for a moment, scowling. ‘What? Yes, yes. I realise that you’re having a few days off. I know your time is your own on those days, but all the same …’ The knuckles on his hand whitened as he gripped the phone tighter. ‘Very well, if that’s your attitude. But be assured we shall continue this conversation when you return.’

Mr Quigley’s normally pallid face turned purple as he jabbed at the phone’s off button. Then, without a word, he turned and made for his office. Slamming the door, he disappeared inside.

Snook prodded Jars on the arm. ‘C’mon, let’s go. We’re done here.’ He turned to face Quenton. ‘We’re off. See ya this afternoon … if you’re still coming with us, that is.’

Quenton’s eyes flashed. ‘Oh, I’ll be there. You just wait and see.’

Without another word, Snook, followed by Jars, hurried from the room, leaving Quenton to his new toy. They opened the front door and stepped outside.

‘Told you they were a strange lot,’ Snook said once they were outside.

‘Yes, but there were other things that puzzled me.’

‘Like what?’

‘Like why was Mrs Quigley so nervous? And why was Mr Quigley so upset when you mentioned Timber Creek? Oh, and by the way, there was a woman in Mr Quigley’s office. There’s nothing unusual about that, I suppose, but we didn’t see her and neither of the Quigleys even mentioned that they had a visitor.’

‘How do you know there was some woman if you didn’t see her?’

‘I could smell her perfume. Entirely different to what Mrs Quigley was wearing.’

‘So what?’ Snook said. ‘There’s nothin’ puzzling about that. She’s probably seeing him on business. And as for old man Quigley, I wouldn’t take much notice of him. He always gets upset when he doesn’t get his own way.’

‘But what about Mrs Quigley? She was really uptight about something.’

‘Dunno what was up with her, but if I’m any judge, her old man has most likely upset her … somehow.’

They walked quickly away from the house. ‘There’s something else, Snook. Something that’s been happening to me.’

‘What is it?’

Jars hesitated. If she told Snook about the cave and the ancient being, he might think she was being stupid.

‘C’mon,’ Snook blurted, ‘spit it out. Whatever it is, I want to know about it.’

‘You won’t laugh?’

‘No, I won’t laugh. I promise.’

‘Okay, you’re the first person I’ve ever told. I was always too frightened to tell anybody. Not even Tom, who was my best friend on the cattle station. But I guess I can tell you, seeing as you’re my cousin. It happened the same night I was told about coming to Tasmania. I had a vision where I met some sort of ancient man in a cave. He was like a human but I think he was more than that.’

‘You mean you had a dream?’

‘No,’ Jars said, her voice barely a whisper. ‘It wasn’t a dream and I think the man was a – a kind of spirit, and I think he needs help.’

‘Are you serious? Or have you gone and lost your marbles?’ Snook, eyebrows raised, came to a halt. He stared at his cousin, waiting for an answer.

‘Yes, as serious as you can get. It’s something I don’t understand, but somehow I know it’s very real. I just know it. Snook, this spirit keeps visiting me … with a message I don’t understand.’

Snook scratched his head. ‘Awesome! Weird too. I can see I’m gonna have some fun with you hangin’ around. That’s for sure. Anyway, forget this spirit thing of yours for now. We have things to do back home.’

They hurried along, each silent with their thoughts.