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company, but you certainly need to learn patience and a few of the managerial skills you currently lack.’
    Petri gave an involuntary snort. Having made the decision, and assured of good references from others in the company and from some of the managers in those companies with which he had been involved with AGO joint ventures, he felt he could pass a few opinions of his own. He had already planned for the next step in his career and did not need references from men he no longer respected.
    â€˜You may well be right, Colin, but in my opinion you could learn a great many managerial skills yourself.’
    â€˜I think you’ve said enough.’ This time it was Chris, his Group Leader, who interrupted the flow. It was the only thing he’d said in the entire meeting.
    â€˜Yes, you’re right for once,’ Petri responded angrily. ‘It is time for me to go. I’ll go at once, clear my office and send a copy of my resignation to salaries. There’s leave owing to me so I’ll take that as part of my required two weeks notice.’ With those parting words Petri Koivu stood, turned and left the room.

T he sun was just creeping up over the sand dunes, casting long morning shadows across the road and chasing the last moments of night, when Katherine and Alec finished their skimpy breakfast. Alec gave his wife a long, last hug and a lingering kiss, whispering in her ear, ‘I love you.’ He reluctantly disengaged himself, letting his hands slide down her body, feeling her soft curves beneath her pyjamas. ‘You were so good last night! I do so love you.’ Slowly, reluctantly he turned and headed across the road and into the bush.
    â€˜See you soon,’ he called back to her as she waved.
    â€˜Go carefully,’ she shouted, more loudly than she meant to disguise the quiver in her voice.
    â€˜The scrub doesn’t go far,’ he shouted back. ‘In an hour or so I’ll be in wheat and sheep country so it’ll be quicker. It’s a good way to spend a Saturday!’
    â€˜Good luck!’ Katherine called, quickly wiping a tear from her eye before waving once more to his departing back. Her good luck wish was quite sincere even though she felt certain that her husband would be back with help soon and they would be on their way once more.
    Carolyn’s crying inside the Kombi indicated her need for attention. Katherine reluctantly turned and entered the vehicle to lift her from the bassinette and check her nappy. She had slept soundly through the night, oblivious of the predicament in which the family found themselves.
    â€˜Typical baby,’ muttered Katherine. ‘Totally dependent, totally unworried. Don’t you worry sweetheart, she’ll be right. We’ll take care of you.’
    Katherine removed the baby’s nappy liner before throwing the soiled nappy into a small bucket with a lid. She knew that rinsing the nappy would consume more of their precious water. It could wait until they got to Ceduna, smell or no smell. She cleaned and washed Carolyn using a minimal amount of water before powdering her dry. She put her gently on to the mattress of the fold-out bed and blew raspberries on her tummy, looking up to see the smile on her baby’s face. Carolyn’s arms and legs moved in jerky movements, testing their abilities. Katherine smiled to herself and at her baby.
    â€˜I look forward to the day you will laugh when I do that. There’s nothing quite as infectious as the sound of a baby’s laugh!’
    Carolyn gurgled back as if she understood every word. Katherine sat on the edge of the bed and fed her happy child.
    Leaving her baby in the bassinette on the bed, she took the shovel and dug a hole in the loose sand near the fence, deep enough to bury the soiled liner and some other accumulated rubbish. She then put a match to it and watched the paper shrivel and burn, and the used tins scorch. When the flames