‘Yes,’ said Zoe. ‘Cobber.’
‘So you’re the dolphin lady from Sydney?’
‘That’s right.’ The bush telegraph worked efficiently in Kiawa.
‘What’s up with your friend?’ asked Nancy. ‘Not very nice to take off and leave you like that.’
‘I told him to go,’ said Zoe. ‘He . . . he had to be somewhere.’
‘Looked like a good horse he was riding,’ said Ed. ‘One of Quinn’s, was it?’
Zoe pretended not to hear, and the couple exchanged glances.
‘Come on,’ said Ed. ‘I’ll double-bunk you back. Nancy can lead Cobber. You’ll get wet otherwise.’
Wet? She glanced skywards, where dark clouds were scudding in from the north. ‘Thanks, but no,’ said Zoe. ‘I feel like walking.’
‘Shall we let Quinn know what’s happened?’ asked Nancy.
‘Really, I’ll be fine.’
‘Suit yourself.’ Ed tipped his hat, they said thei
