He had the LandCruiser in reverse and was already backing up as she made it to the passenger-side door. She swung aboard and he floored the accelerator. ‘We’ll take the shortcut across the paddocks,’ he yelled. Swinging wide around the new corner post he hit the top of the driveway sideways and Tammy couldn’t help but wonder if they were the ones who were going to need the ambulance. ‘Settle, Trav,’ she said, instinctively reaching out to place her hand on the big one which was working the gearstick. He pulled away like she’d jabbed him with a needle. The ute, in mid gearshift, clunked into neutral, sending the vehicle running full pelt down the hill. ‘Travis!’ yelled Tammy as she flung herself forwards and rammed the gearstick into third. The engine speed kicked in, rapidly slowing the vehicle down. The motor roared its disapproval as both Tammy and Trav were thrown against their seatbelts. The motor was screaming its injectors out.
