Kerrie climbed the small hill to Shirley’s dugout, enjoying the walk and relishing the crisp clean air and a horizon that stretched for miles. She was looking forward to seeing again this woman who was so warm, humorous and intelligent. How quickly one seemed to make friends out here, she thought. She circled the top road. What an eyrie it was up here, almost fortress like. As she approached the dugout she heard Shirley call out, ‘Good morning, Kerrie. If you’ve come about the car, Doug’s still looking at it. Would you like to join me for a cup of tea while you wait?’ Shirley, who was sitting by the entrance to the dugout, indicated the chair next to her. ‘Thanks, that would be good. Can I get it?’ ‘No, thanks, Kerrie. Enjoy the view. My joints are good this morning, so I’m getting about just fine.’ Kerrie sat back in the sun and looked around her. The town of Opal Lake was essentially flat but there were some small hills, and Shirley’s place, on Old Tom’s Hill, was high up.
