‘Looks like it,’ said Wal, sounding glum. ‘I thought my days of carting hay were over. You sure you want to do this, mate?’ ‘I’m sure,’ said Nate. His gaze landed on Jodie’s lips. ‘I have a debt to collect.’ ‘Would all contestants please line up at the start?’ blared the loudspeaker. A bright spark had found some old racing starting gates so it was two to a barrier for the Ironman Classic and all the gates were full. Evidently it was a popular event. ‘Ready, set, go!’ roared the crowd. Jodie was pushing the barrow filled with sticks and Stacey. ‘Go, Ashie!’ yelled her mate. It was hard going because Stacey wasn’t a light girl. Jodie could see out the corner of her eye that Nate wasn’t having any easier a time of it with Wal in the barrow. She focused back on her own race. They were at the circle of stones that indicated the campfire. Stacey was out of the barrow and down on her hands and knees building a pile of kindling. Jodie ran to the river with the billy and filled it up.
