He tried to talk his mate Jack into applying for a job with him at the Red Hill Mining Company as miners. “Look, I am a Yamagee, I work on top of the ground—not underneath like a rabbit,” Jack said. “It was only a suggestion,” Mick said. “We should take Katie and show her where her Grannies lived, Jack,” suggested Phyliss as she collected our empty mugs. “Come on then,” said Jack, rising from the rickety chair which he picked up and placed in the corner. “We’d better go while it’s cool. Leave your ute in the driveway. It’ll be safe there.” I’m glad one of us is confident and trusting. I did as I was bid, not completely sure whether I should leave it there. You never know who you cannot trust these days. Their ancient Holden station wagon had all the characteristics of an outback owner’s vehicle—both exterior and interior. I had to move an assortment of tools and mechanical parts to make room for my feet. Everywhere you looked there was red dust about a couple of centimetres thick.
