Published: 28 Mar 2022

By weeks end Travis was well on the mend. Most of the swelling to his face had dissipated as had the bruising but he still couldn’t leave his bed for any length of time, except to sit in a chair. Early the second week the hospital advised Travis he was well enough to return home but travelling would be difficult. If he were in Forsayth he could catch the train to Mareeba without too much difficulty but getting to Forsayth would be a burden. The road was too rough for his injury and he most defiantly couldn’t ride. He would therefore have to find accommodation in town until his ribs mended to a degree that allowed him to travel.

Unfortunately it was the week of the Georgetown race meeting and the only hotel was fully booked. As for Evan, his room could only be guaranteed until the following day then he would also need to find alternate accommodation.

The problem became solved during a final visit from Goddard the storekeeper. Goddard had a small cottage next to his business that was mostly used for storage. It would be rudimentary but at a push could be set up for temporary occupancy.

“I will pay you the going rate of the hotel room,” Evan suggested.

“I think not, it would be like charging someone to live in a toolshed,”

“That would be most appreciated,” Evan acknowledged.

“I wouldn’t thank me yet, it has an old wood stove for cooking but as for bathing, there is a tub at the rear and a copper to boil water, I can’t do better than that.”

“Perfect,” Travis declared being used to bathing in muddy lagoons.

“Not unless you have someone to look after you young man,” Matron Gladys broke into the conversation as she attended to a stockman who arrived that morning with a broken leg after being crushed between a rogue bullock and a gate post.

“I’ll look after him,” Evan eagerly declared.

“You don’t look as if you can look after yourself,” the matron stated with conviction.

“I’ll keep an eye on them,” Goddard suggested, bringing agreement from matron.

So it was decided Travis would be released into the care of Evan and they would set up house in what could be only described as a demolition site. The hospital delivered Travis to the cottage late in the afternoon of that day on a wheeled gurney, comically squeaking as it made slow progress across the dusty street, where he was put to bed in the cottages’ only serviceable bedroom.

Goddard’s wife had already supplied fresh bedding and gave the room a light dusting, bringing it halfway back to serviceable. She had also supplied a meal for the two and made them promise they would call if they needed anything, while Goddard apologised for not having the boys stay with him but with a family of five and limited space there wasn’t any way he could do so.

“Are you comfortable?” Evan asks of Travis once the fussing had ebbed and they were alone.

“I feel fine; in truth I reckon I’m ready to travel,” he cast his eyes around the small room, “where are you going to kip?” he asks realising there wasn’t a second bed and his but a small single.

“Don’t worry about me, there’s a spare mattress in the other room, I’ll set that up in the -, “Evan paused and smiled, “I guess the lounge room.”

“Junk room,” Travis corrected.

“Don’t worry it will be fine.”

“Sorry Evan for putting you through this, I guess it isn’t what you expected,” Travis sighed.

“Don’t be I’m only too happy to do so.” Evan answered while fussing with Travis’ mountain of pillows, “are you hungry?”

“Evan, I’m alright stop fussing, what Mrs. Goddard brought over was more than enough,” Travis answered then realising he sounded annoyed apologised for his abruptness, “Evan I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be cranky.”

“That’s alright,”

“No it isn’t, I appreciate your help but I’m worried about not being capable of riding with you,” Travis added.

“Doesn’t matter,”

“It does; you’ve put so much of your time into being here.”

“We’ll worry about all that once you’re back on your feet.”

“I may not be able to ride for months and I’ve already given Titch to Noah.”

“Travis it doesn’t matter, I haven’t a horse or saddle anyway and that’s not my purpose -,” Evan quickly pulled his sentence but not before his tone was noticed by Travis.

“Purpose,” Travis quizzically questioned.

“Possibly not purpose but it was to be an experience and like your mother my parents were totally against me doing so. Dad said he didn’t waste money educating me to throw it away with stupidity and if I carried through with it I could bugger-off permanently.”

“You rebel,” Travis laughed and in doing so felt the pull from his injured ribs, “ouch don’t make me laugh.”

“I really don’t mind not riding, there are plenty of things we can do.”

“We?” Travis questions.

“That was the idea, wasn’t it?”

“I guess it was,” Travis agreed and forced a smile, “I like that,”

The kerosene lamp burnt late into the night while many questions were asked and answered. Often Evan suggested that Travis should rest but he declared he was rested out. Travis needed to know how Bradley was fairing with his own property, if Greg or any of the gang were still around also if Roy had spoken to him about his family. He realised he had not contacted anyone for quite some time and his mother would be worried but was soon assured that his parents were contacted by the hospital when he was brought in and Evan was keeping Margaret up to date with his progress.

“What did mum say?”

“She wanted to catch the first train here but your father talked her out of doing so.”

“As well,”

“Umm as for Greg,” Evan softly spoke in such a way that what was to follow could not be good news.

“That sounds ominous,”

“It is and I guess there is only one way to say it.”

“Go on,” Travis braced himself for bad news.

“I’m afraid Greg was killed in an accident,”

“How?” Travis questioned within a quick sharp breath.

“He rode his motorbike into a large tree on the Millaa Millaa road at the bend near the Gleeson’s place and the bridge.”

“When?”

“A number of months back,” Evan attempted to make his news as reverent as possible but bad news is just that and no matter how it is shared it can be nothing more, “it is a wonder you didn’t hear as it was in the papers and on the radio news.”

“We didn’t get papers at Bullock Creek and we didn’t have a radio, besides most of that time I was travelling,” Travis admitted.

“It was also suggested he did so on purpose, as he was obviously travelling at speed and didn’t attempt to deviate.

“I thought he had already wrecked the bike?”

“Unfortunately for Greg he got another and with Greg everything is for self and in excess.”

“That is sad, I remember the last time I saw him and his mood. It was at the Dunlop and he was drunk, looking as if he was on the wrong side of a beating.”

“I went to his funeral, his old man and sister were there and Sam Hinds but no one else.”

“What about his brother?”

“Locked up again,”

“I must admit Greg was a little over indulged with most things,” Travis admitted.

“A little; you do realise what his mates called him?”

“No,”

“Fig Jam,”

“I don’t get it,”

“Take the first letters and it spells out fuck I’m good, just ask me.”

Travis laughed and paid heavily from the pulling on his ribs, “I shouldn’t laugh but it did suit Greg. Did he ever hear anyone call him that?”

“Often but he was so vain he loved it and was later shortened to Figgy, which he wore it like a badge of honour. Suppose I shouldn’t talk badly of him now he’s gone,” Evan remorsefully complied.

Travis took a deep breath, “I don’t like admitting so but Greg was always an accident waiting to happen but even through it all I would consider him a mate.

“True but it was always difficult to be his mate, he would invite you in one breath then push you away with the next.”

“True; how are you with it?”

“Thankful is my best thought,”

“Why-so?”

“That very night he offered for me to join him but he had been drinking, besides I was at wits end with our friendship and tired of the way he treated those around him.”

“As well you didn’t,”

“Possibly if I had he would still be alive.”

“Or you both would be dead.”

“That’s a thought,”

Travis was relieved with Evan’s good sense in refusing to ride with Greg but with his gratitude came a shadow, realising he could have perished during his ride to Cumberland Downs. If he had taken the brumby path what would have been the outcome, if he didn’t allow Titch to changed direction. A shudder of emotion while thinking if Evan and agreed to ride with Greg he may have lost him forever.

“Are you alright?” Evan asks noticing his friends changing expression.

“Only a thought I had.”

“Go on,”

“It doesn’t matter, we are both here now.”

“Enough of Greg, it is you that now concerns.”

“I’m fine really but I do feel for Greg, although I finished with him long ago as he was a hopeless cause,” Travis assured.

“He often spoke of you,” Evan admitted.

“In what way would that be Evan?”

“Mostly he didn’t know how to read you.”

During the following day Evan went shopping and returned with enough food to last them a week, consisting of sweet biscuits, puddings and caned bully beef.

“Can you cook?” Travis asks from the comfort of an old tattered club chair covered with a rug it to hide its imperfections, with a cushion to soften the effects a rogue spring.

“Can I cook? I can do anything.” Evan bragged, “I hope,” he added softly and laughed, “It can’t be that hard, I’ve watched mum enough times, besides who did most of the cooking while at Bullock Creak and anyone can fry an egg or open a tin of beans.

“As you know I can sort of make bread and stew,” Travis added to the list of culinary excitements.

“Yes I remember your stews,”

“They weren’t that bad,” Travis feigned hurt.

“They weren’t that bad but Bradley did overdo the salt shaker.”

“Then between the two of us something should be edible,” Travis suggested.

Evan packed his groceries into an old kitchen cupboard, it doors adorned with transfer stickers of yachts and motor vehicles. Now faded and scratched but still holding their happy disposition. “You seem to be moving about more freely today?” he commented.

“I’m fine; I don’t know what all the fuss is about,” Travis says and attempted to prove the fact but standing and walking around the room, until his injury took him back to his chair, buckled and feeling sorry for himself.

“Oh yeah. Sure,” Evan laughed.

Slowly the two became accustomed to each other’s company, although Travis found it somewhat testing to be fussed over but day by day it became routine, while watching Evan cooking the meals and cleaning amused him. “Cute,” Travis softly declared as Evan finished the night’s dishes dressed only in his flimsy underwear. He had been watching his friend’s backside for some time and how it filled every nook of the tight fitting garment and didn’t realise he had spoken his thought vocally.

“What is cute?” Evan asks from his position at the sink without turning from the clatter of dishes.

“Nothing,” Travis answered attempting to sound as flippant as possible.

Not only was Travis becoming accustomed to having Evan around but he sometimes wished to take him in his arms and cuddle him. Analysing his feelings Travis convinced it was comfort he craved but with the deliberation came something else. The sight of Evan almost naked made his pulse run, causing erection and having to hide the fact with magazines or other random strategically placed items close at the time but his concealment was often awkward making it more obvious. There was also something different with Evan. It was as if he wished to say something but lacked courage to do so.

The situation of concealment and almost comment continued for the rest of the week. By the week’s end Travis was moving about freely with limited discomfort and began to help around the cottage, while his cute thought of Evan had developed further into something he didn’t know how to control. He no longer wished to hug his friend but wished to lay naked with him and the dark truth that he had buried for so long was now open reality and was scaring him. On the occasion his feeling would erupt into language and the word was, – he could not say the word nor brand himself with it. Travis’ thoughts returned to Mareeba and a lad in his first year of high school. Johnny Leeton. Yes it was Johnny Leeton, a skinny kid who kept to himself; Johnny with his girlish voice and soft and gentle attitude and love of theatre, who cried at the thought of an injured animal. A gentle kid who tried to belong but like a wounded animal in the mob became outcast and had stones thrown at him on his way home from school, while dead toads were hidden among his school books, until his life became so tormented his parents had to remove him from school and move to Cairns. Travis knew he was not like Johnny Leeton.

“Do you still want to go bush?” Travis once again asks after the night’s meal. He fixed his gaze on the dull light from the lamp and watched the impish shadows of his friend dance around the room as Evan cleared the table.

“Only if you want to,” Evan answered.

“I think my horse riding is over for quite some time,” Travis sadly admitted.

“Fine, what would you like to do?” Evan asks.

“I dunno’ anymore;”

Travis’ thoughts returned to his parents, his mother’s fuss and her saying I told you so, he didn’t have to be told, he always knew he would return but had to at least try, as Jack Johnson called it, chase his rainbows. Now it was over and he was more than ready for the next phase of his life. As he sat watching his friend, he hoped that Evan would be part of that life. “I don’t rightly know but I don’t think I can face Mareeba for a while,” Travis eventually admitted.

“Why so?”

“It would be as facing failure.”

“I would never say you failed, besides what was your main objective?”

“What do you mean objective?”

“If I remember you often said it was to revisit that station your father managed.”

“True,”

“So you did,”

“Yes but you were to join me, now what?”

“Yes to join you but in what capacity, that was never formulated. We can do anything you want,” Evan suggested.

Travis quickly picked up on we can, and once again his thought became sensuous and if it were not for the fear of rejection he would have lifted from his chair and wrap his arms around Evan.

“How come you fell out with Greg?” Travis questioned in an attempt to divert his erotic thoughts.

“Reasons – why do you ask?”

“You followed him like a pup when you were a boy,” Travis recollected.

“No I used Greg to be with you,”

“Really?”

“Childhood heroes and you Travis was that hero; am I embarrassing you?”

“No I think it’s cute.”

“It was never meant to be cute; you have used that word before.”

“When?”

“Two days back and once when you were home in Mareeba and we met by the river.”

“Did I? I didn’t mean anything harmful by doing so, it’s just a word, an expression I guess and without any real translation.”

Travis had the urge to relate his experience while working for Morris. He spoke of the boys, of the wife and her fear and in comic relief the trench be was forced to dig. Finally he came to the family’s demise and his own abuse.

“It all sounds horrible,” Evan admitted.

“There was more,” Travis paused at the threshold of disclosure but withdrew.

“I can’t imagine what you went through,” Evan sympathised.

Travis pushed through the discomfort of recalling, allowing the memory to come from deep in his subconscious like one putting out the rubbish. “Morris raped me the night I left,” at last it was spoken.

“Oh,” Evan but whispered finding it difficult not to cross the room and through his arms around Travis.

“I’m okay with it now,” Travis bravely admitted.

“I was also raped.”

“Who?”

“Greg.”

“What – Greg?”

“Yes Greg and not once; do you remember the Motorbike rides?”

“Is that why you refused to go with him on the night of the accident?”

“No it was because he was drunk. It first happened when Greg took me out of town and parked near Scrubby Creek down by the irrigation channel and out of conversation about his lack of sex he jumped me.” Evan’s gaze was distant. Far away, back on the banks of Scrubby Creek with Greg using him as his sexual aid. Then as quickly he was back in the room showing concern for Travis and his ill-treatment from Morris but Travis had become more interested in Greg.

“What about Greg’s girlfriend?” Travis asks knowing with Greg there was always some unfortunate girl influenced by his perilous character.

“Girlfriend?” Evan repeated.

“Well he often bragged about them,”

“He was all show; yes there were a couple but nowhere near the number he bragged about.”

“Oh, I didn’t realise; when I was around it was all skirts and tits besides he never made advance in that way towards me.”

“I’m surprised, possibly it was because you showed independence, Greg always said he didn’t know how to take you,” Evan admitted.

“Yes you did mention but I thought I was an open book,”

Evan gave an ironic chortle, “funny you should say that.”

“Why?”

“It coincides with Greg’s opinion of you, as he said you were like a book with the most important chapter missing.”

“That was somewhat analytical for Greg.”

“You know Greg and his adages.”

A minute passed; then more and the longer the pause the more difficult for either to add to their confessions. Eventually Evan broke the quiet, “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“Don’t blame yourself,”

“I don’t but I shouldn’t burden you with my triviality after what you endured.”

“It’s past me by now and I’m okay but what of you?”

Evan diverted, “if you don’t wish to travel what are your intentions?” Evan returned to their previous conversation.

“I don’t rightly know; as I said I don’t want to go back to my parents nor Mareeba.”

“Has Mareeba bad memories for you?”

“No, not at all,” Travis appeared to drift away.

“You appear to be in the land of memories.”

“I was,” Travis agreed.

“Is it worth the sharing?”

“For a moment it was late night, Saturday night and I was returning home after the pictures.”

“What was the movie?”

“You know I don’t remember but it was hot and the main street was quiet. The shop lights were on but only the Bowman’s Newsagency remained open. I went in and commenced to read the latest phantom comic release and Mr. Bowman told me off for not buying it.”

“Did you buy it?” Evan asks while humouring Travis’ telling.

“No I wasn’t in the mood but with school over I felt on top of the world and as if a lead weight lifted from my shoulders.”

“I remember your last day, you chucked your books in the river on the way home,” Evan reminisced.

“I didn’t see you,”

“I was there on the upper road by the bridge, I was going to call but you were too far away.”

“It then dawned on me, what next? It was as if the whole of society answered in one voice and the words were, it’s your life kid what are you going to do with it.”

“Is that when you decided to go bush?”

“No at first that was Greg’s idea but he soon soured on it. Chasing rainbows, that is what Jack Johnson called it when I refused his apprenticeship.”

“What did you call it?”

“I don’t know but in some way I was running away not running to.”

“Running from what?” Evan softly asks.

“I guess the truth,”

Evan felt Travis wasn’t ready to discuss further so he diverted, “how about we stay with Bradley for a while?”

“Would he want visitors knowing his like for solitude?”

“He has changed since having his own property.”

Travis heard but did not answer. His mind was dwelling on the information he had received of Greg. He remembered his own motorbike rides and how Greg appeared to invite him into his open fly but he had resisted. Even so he had not thought Greg would go further.

“What are you thinking?” Evan asks.

“Why didn’t you report Greg’s abuse?”

“I don’t know, at first I wanted to as I didn’t think much of Greg but in time I like it and thought of someone else while it was happening,” Evan’s blunt honesty surprised Travis.

“And who would that have been?” Travis asks while smiling at his friend’s frankness.

“It was you Travis and now its out and you can do what you wish with it.” Evan bravely admitted and as he spoke it seemed to Travis as it had been when he discarded his school books into the river, as if the weight of the universe was lifted from him.

Travis kept his quiet.

“Have I disgusted you?” Evan quietly asks.

“No – not at all,”

“I suppose you don’t want to know me now,” Evan was beginning to wish he hadn’t spoken his mind.

“Come here,” Travis demanded and stood from his chair.

Evan obliged.

Travis gently wrapped his arms around Evan, cradling his head in the nap of his shoulder, “of course I want to know you, I love the idea but,” Travis paused as Evan gently pulled away.

“But what Travis?”

“But I haven’t a clue where to go from here?” Travis laughed then moaned with pain. He fell back to his chair, “Maybe I’m not as ready to travel as I thought I was,” he admitted as the pain subsided.

“I suppose like in the westerns we could ride off together into the sunset,” Evan humoured.

“There are a lot of questions in me but I don’t know what they are or how to ask them, Travis admitted.

“Time is something we both have plenty of,” Evan assured as an uneasy calm came over them both.

“I’m feeling a little woozy; I think I’ll head for bed,” Travis stood from his chair and staggered slightly, bringing Evan to his rescue.

“Come on I’ll give you a hand, then I’m going to take a walk in the cool night air.”

Five minutes to the south, back and five to the north and Evan had walked the full length of the main street, while the only light that gave welcome was that from the hotel. Once back outside the cottage he paused and took a deep breath, “Travis is right; where do we go from here?” he mumbled and once again walked the length of the street, then on his return entered back into the cottage and sat at the kitchen table.

“Evan,” Travis called from the darkness of the bedroom bringing him to the doorway.

“Yep,”

“Are you ready for bed?” Travis voice came softly through the shadows of the bedroom.

“About to, do you want something?”

“Come and join me.”

“In the bed with you?”

“Yes, if you like,”

“Are you sure?” Evan asks.

“No but do so anyway.”

Minutes passed and still Evan had not come to his bed. Travis had never felt so nervous or aroused, not even with Nola at the Mt. Surprise hotel and her basket of bouncing puppies. He smiled, besides when he was with Nola it was the thought of Evan that drove him towards climax. He had not admitted then and had difficulty doing so now but it had been Evan in his thoughts when alone and in need of relief. Now Evan was here and declaring his feelings and that frightened him. Possibly it would be better to do nothing than shatter the mental elusion with physicality.

Still Travis waited with the sound of his pulse echoing in his ears.

There was movement in the room and the sound of clothing falling to bare floor boards, followed by the snap of an elastic waste band. ‘He’s wearing jocks,’ Travis grinned as movement came to the bed then electricity as he felt naked skin press against his back and the heat from Evan’s excitement upon his own naked buttocks.

“Give me you arm.” Travis demanded while gently dragging Evans arm across his chest the movement hurt but he didn’t care.

“Sorry, did I hurt you?” Evan whispered.

“Not at all,”

Morning came and Travis was alone. Had it all been but a dream? He turned towards the bedroom door and was stuck by blinding light coming from the louvered window beyond the next room.

He shaded his eyes.

There was movement, the sound of kitchenware on sink; then the silhouetted shape of Evan at the doorway.

“That light’s bright this morning,” Travis complained.

“I hope my presence didn’t keep you awake?” Evan asks while sipping at a cup of tea. “Hot,” he says in reference to the brew.

“Hot,” Travis repeated in reference to his feelings and laughed.

Travis’ eyes accustomed to the light as Evan came to sit on the bed. “Are you ready for breakfast?” he asks.

Travis didn’t answer his eyes were lost exploring the near naked state of his friend; his well formed chest crowning a muscular stomach with a snail track of dark hair leading from the waistband of his underwear to his bellybutton. Travis reached out and gently touched Evan’s chest with the tip of his finger then as quickly withdrew it as if receiving an electric shock.

“What?” Evan declares quizzically.

“You; I’ve never seen you naked before.”

“I’m wearing jocks,” Evan exclaims while flicking the waistband as proof.

“That’s not what I mean. I’ve seen you in your underwear but never actually looked at you, now I can’t keep from looking.”

“I like that,” Evan says.

“I’m not ready for breakfast but a cuppa’ would be nice,”

“I’ll go make you one,”

“Take them off,” Travis quietly demands as Evan departs for the kitchen.

“My jocks?”

“Yes take them off,”

Evan gives a cheeky smirk and obeys.

“There you go,”

“That’s better,”

Immediately a message was sent from Evan’s brain to his member and before he had reached the door it stood high and firm, “you’ve got an advantage over me,” Evan relates.

“What would that be?”

“You’re covered – I feel a little exposed.”

Travis simply laughed as Evan left for the kitchen.

Their sleeping ritual continued for a number of nights. Travis would retire to bed and Evan would join him to lay naked against his back and cuddle into the scent of his friend. It was intoxicating and arousing but he refrained from advancing further. Neither spoke nor explored until Travis could take no more, turning as quickly as his injury allowed he wrapped his arms around his friend.

“And I did that almost without pain,” Travis laughed as Evan reciprocated his action. “What next?” Travis asks and both giggled like school children being naughty after lights out. Evan didn’t answer; instead he slowly ran his hand along Travis’ chest. Slowly, ever slowly he advanced until his fingers rested on the heat of Travis’ erection; he swallowed at the dryness in his throat and held his breath as he paused. Evan attempted to speak but hardly formed the first word of his thought. He released the breath.

“What?” Travis says.

Evan clears the nervous block at his vocal. He gives a cheeky smile as if he was playing with Travis.

“What?” Travis repeats.

“This,” Evan answers.

“What is this?”

“I’ve waited for this moment ever since I first saw you.”

“When was that?”

“When you first came to Mareeba from the hostel and holidayed with the Kinsley’s,”

“Struth, you would have only been ten or so,”

“Eleven,”

“How would you know then?”

“I did and still do,”

“I could have been arrested,” Travis laughed.

“You still could I suppose as by law if it were permissible would probably be twenty-one.”

“I am twenty-one,” Travis protested.

“But I’m not; you have more than a year on me.”

“You are making me feel old,” Travis complained.

Travis had almost mended and could move about quite freely and believed he was ready to travel. Speaking of the matter to Evan the question once more arose, being where too. After much deliberation it was decided there was only one destination and that was with Bradley, which brought forth a question that had stewed in Travis for some time. During a conversational exchange of thoughts and secrets Travis asked the question on what happened that day during Evan’s stay at Bullock Creek. Bradley had taken one of his many walks along the creek and soon after his departure, Evan also disappeared, both returning separately much later wearing the countenance of guilt.

“Not a lot,”

“Come on out with it,”

“Well,” Evan paused, “It was so long ago I can’t rightly remember,” he teasingly grinned.

“Come on, you bloody-well do remember – out with it.”

“I don’t know if I should, you may be shocked.”

“There is only one way to find out but I don’t shock easily.”

“Alright, I crept along the creek and found Bradley wanking.”

“So did I;” Travis concurred.

“Yes but did you do anything about it?” Evan asks while smiling broadly.

“No.”

“I made too much noise on my approach Bradley heard me. He paused and gave me a look that would kill a black dog.”

Evan was stringing out his story and enjoying Travis’ impatience.

He finally continued.

“I walked up to him and asked if he wanted a hand.”

“And?” Travis says.

“That’s about it; he didn’t answer so I finished the job for him.”

“What do you mean you finished the job?”

“Simply that, I brought him on, it only took seconds.”

“You cheeky little bugger, no wonder you both looked guilty on your return but what was Bradley’s answer, did he say go for it?”

“No he appeared more shocked with disbelief; I must admit it was a strange situation with Bradley staring questioning into my eyes as I finished him.”

Travis laughed.

“What else could I do but oblige?”

“To think we all thought you were such an innocent young fellow,”

“And on whose reckoning was that?” Evan asks.

“Greg and the gang,”

“And also you Travis?”

“I suppose so but I’m now hearing about a side of you I would never had believed possible.”

Evan laughed; “it’s always the quiet ones you have to watch. Does it shock you?”

“Not at all but I could never be so daring.”

“If it wasn’t for daring I wouldn’t be here today,”

“I guess not, so as well my devious young fellow.”

Travis had many more questions and now felt quite free to ask. Firstly had they continued with their intrigue, to which Evan admitted they had not and was Bradley gay. That question Evan could not truthfully answer, Bradley definitely didn’t show interest in females and he and Roy did spend a lot of time together but neither gave any indication that there was anything going on.

“Does Roy visit Bradley?” Travis asks.

“Quite often but being close to Mareeba seldom stays overnight.”

“Do you think Bradley would mind us staying with him?” Travis questions.

“Of course not, he almost demanded I bring you back to Tolga,” Evan explained.

“What is the property like?”

“That I think I will leave for you to discover.”

“I would like that but what about you?” Travis asks.

“Sounds alright to me,”

Gary’s stories are about life in Australia as a gay man. Your emails to him are the only payment he receives. Email Gary to let him know you are reading: Gary dot Conder at CastleRoland dot Net

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