I think I want to come out,’ said Martin.

Arthur almost lost control of the van. It was his turn to drive. It was the next morning. He had been struggling to keep awake after only three hours sleep, despite two extra strong coffees. But this made him wake up.

‘Come out, Martin? Do you mean, come out as in, I’m gay?’

‘Don’t be an idiot, Arthur. I’m not gay. By come out, I mean I want to reveal myself. You know. The Foundation, the project. I want people to know that it’s me. Natalie agrees. I’ve been thinking about this for a while and when you told me last night that your reporter friend was coming to Eden next week, I thought it would be the ideal time to give an interview.’

‘Firstly Martin, she’s not a reporter. She is an assistant something or rather, not sure what. And secondly, I would hardly call her my friend. This friendship so far consists of a forty five minute lunch and a ninety second phone call.’

‘Arthur, don’t sell yourself short. I bet she’s got the hots for you.’ Arthur felt himself blushing, hoping.

‘Do you really think it’s such a good idea, Martin? You know what the press is like. You’ll be hounded. Forget about your privacy. Eight billion, Martin. They will descend like vultures.’

‘I thought about that too, Arthur. Natalie and I have discussed this. We are prepared to take the risk. And that’s not all. I, I mean we, want to make some changes, big ones.’

Arthur waited but wasn’t prepared for what came next.

‘I want to sell the dairy and if I can’t sell it I’ll close it. The people of Eden can buy milk from a shop like everyone else. Natalie and I want to travel. I’ve never been anywhere. Natalie has and she wants to show me the world. It will be our honeymoon. Lord knows I can afford it. Once the project has finished, I want to buy the Victorian and we’ll live there. Eden will still be our home.’

‘As far as I know, it’s not for sale,’ said Arthur. ‘I asked the agent once just out of interest. He told me the owner does not want to sell.’

‘Arthur, weren’t you the one who once told me everything is for sale if the price is right?’

‘Yes, I suppose I did. Yeah, I’m sure you could buy it if you wanted to.’

Neither man said anything more. Arthur was thinking, what about me. It suddenly dawned on him he would be free to leave the job, leave Eden and return to Melbourne. The prospect of that had always excited him before, but he realised that he was feeling a tinge of regret. He didn’t say anything, but Martin did.

‘I haven’t forgotten about you, Arthur. I will notify Centrelink that your position no longer exists, and you’ll be off the hook with them. Don’t worry about that. And Arthur, don’t think I’ve forgotten everything you have done. This whole project, the Foundation, none of it would have existed without your help. Since you are being terminated, you are entitled to a redundancy payout. Natalie and I have discussed this and we feel that ten million would be fair. Natalie actually suggested twenty, but I think ten would be more than enough to set you up for life. Twenty might make life a little too complicated.’

This time Arthur did lose control of the van. He had to brake suddenly to avoid an oncoming car and pull the van over to the side of the road. He was having difficulty breathing. ‘I don’t know what to say, Martin. I never expected. I never thought…’ He could not get a coherent sentence out.

‘Steady Arthur. Take a few deep breaths. Maybe I shouldn’t have told you while you were driving, but I was dying to tell you, couldn’t hold it in any longer. You deserve it, every penny. You have had enough shit in your life and this money can turn it all around. And if you play your cards right you might have someone to share it with.’

Arthur could feel the tears welling up in his eyes. He turned his face so Martin couldn’t see them. He did not speak. He couldn’t. After a few minutes he had composed himself sufficiently to start up the van and drove back to the dairy. Not another word was said for the rest of the trip.