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now.’ Ethan pushed his spiralling hair back from his face as Rowan did the same. ‘Of course, the smell of defeat’s all over you. But some good soap and a rematch might fix that.’
    ‘You didn’t win. I won.’
    Rowan was Ethan twenty-one years ago. He sounded just like Ethan had, the same voice, the same attitude.
    ‘How do you figure that?’
    ‘I just did. You’re tired.’
    ‘Ro, if you weren’t sitting you’d fall over. You’re wiped.’
    ‘I am not! I could go again.’
    ‘Hmm.’ Ethan eased back onto his elbows. His chin broke the surface and the cool water soothed him. ‘We’ll call it a draw then.’
    ‘Deal.’
    The new friends fell into a companionable silence. They watched the birds diving and dancing in the big blue sky and the clouds rolling past. Ethan liked the sound of the trees and fields, shifting and sighing in the light breeze. The air smelled of fresh-cut grass and cattle. Over a kilometre away their neighbour grazed six dozen cows and a dozen prized Angus. It was the scent of the country, unmistakable and to some, irresistible.
    He couldn’t hear the lawn mower any more, and became mindful of the time. He’d had a purpose among all of this fooling around, and he wanted the chance to speak to Rowan before someone found them there.
    ‘You can’t hide from showers for the rest of your life, kid.’ Rowan’s blissful smile faded. A guarded expression replaced it. ‘I get it, I really do. But it’s not the way to go forward, you know?’
    Rowan dipped his fingers into the water and built circles on its surface. He shrugged, mute again.
    ‘I want to get you something that I reckon will help. Two somethings.’
    Rowan paused. He looked up. His grandfather’s eyes moved a chill through Ethan’s heart, but they were open and trusting. Ready for whatever change Ethan offered.
    ‘Okay,’ Ro said. He raised his chin and squared his shoulders. Every bit as resilient as his uncle.
    Together they dragged their sodden bodies out of the creek. And laughing and shoving, they ran to the back door, stripped down to their underwear then charged upstairs to change.
    Dean’s children had been returned to him alive and relatively happy yesterday following Ethan’s first stint of childminding, so Dean hadn’t put up so much of a fight the second time. He’d mumbled about business matters and paperwork, and Ethan thought he’d seen a little relief in his brother’s weary eyes.
    Standing by the sink, Ethan watched Sam through the kitchen window. She’d turned up early again today, her sleeves rolled to the elbows and some old clothes on. At the moment she was kneeling on a foam mat, soiled gloves pulled over her wrists, weeding the garden beds flanking the back verandah steps. When she straightened her back and stretched, he swallowed. She wiped her face and left a line of dirt across her cheek. Back arched, hands high above her head, held that position a moment, then continued to wage war on the dandelions and grasses.
    He drove into town thinking of her. Rowan and Nina bumped and talked beside him on the front seats of the ute. Nina was delighted her brother was speaking again and was determined to ask him any and all questions imaginable. Rowan did his best to answer them, although he occasionally looked to Ethan for help.
    It felt good to matter to these children. He’d come to crave their acceptance. Neither looked at him like he was good for nothing. They made him feel funny and interesting, and most of all, needed.
    Damn, it felt so good to be needed.
    Back in the lone café in town, Ethan realised pretty quickly that Sal had no intention of serving him. As an experiment, he gave Nina the money and told her what to ask for.
    Almost too small to be seen over the counter, she stretched her little arms up, holding the money aloft. Anxious to please, she gabbled excitedly, ‘one black coffee, please.’ She beamed at Sally, who was undeniably charmed. ‘Ethan’s gross