Echuca station, late morning. The train slid the last few yards, the steam whistle shrieking as the carriage clunked and rolled to a stop.
James grabbed his travelling bag, jammed his hat on his head and threw open the carriage door. Sure he would meet Wilkin as he tried to alight, he stepped onto the platform and headed to the first carriage. Dodging the few passengers on the platform, he could see the door of the cabin he aimed for was open. He hesitated only a second and realised no one was emerging.
Level with the open door, he peered inside. If anyone had been in there, they’d gone. Empty, except for the undeniable stink of Gareth Wilkin.
‘Mr Anderson!’
He rounded at someone calling his name.
‘Mr Anderson! Over here.’ Bill Jenkins, only a few yards away, waved a hand. ‘Thought I’d missed you, sir. Got the cart waiting out the front.’
‘Bill. Good man.’ James looked over his head.
‘You looking for something, sir?’ Bill’s thick, gnarled hands grabbed James’ bag. He sat his hat back on his head and led the way out to the concourse.
‘A short bloke, sores on him. Stinks.’
‘Sounds like a pox or something.’
‘Burns, I think.’ James abandoned his search. Too many people about, including Bill. He slapped him on the shoulder. ‘Good God, man,’ he said and nodded at the laden cart. ‘You have been busy.’
Bill tucked James’ bag into a wedge of space in the back of the cart and waved his hand at the load. ‘You did telegraph to get whatever household stuff yer money would buy.’ He clambered up to sit behind the horses, gathering the reins as James climbed up beside him. ‘Had me missus come with me to Mr Egge’s boat, and to Mr Thompson’s store. Reckon she did orright.’
James studied the load over his shoulder. ‘She did at that.’
‘Yessir, there’s ever’thing there for the ladies, the baby, the kitchen, and all other womenfolk requirements.’ He giddy-upped the horses. ‘What yer didn’t buy I reckon me and the boys could build.’
‘Reckon you might be right.’ James swung his attention back to the road as Bill steered the cart away from the station. ‘Let’s get to the house.’
There was no sign of Wilkin, but he was here, James knew it.
His only thought now was of CeeCee and the news he had to tell her.