Matilda's Last Waltz by Tamara McKinley

stare was magnified by the thick glasses. ‘Wallaby Flats is not a city, Jennifer. It’s a forgotten mining town which boasts a few hovels, tin shacks and a pub frequented by swagmen, drovers and fossickers. It’s in the middle of nowhere. You could be stuck for days before you found someone to take you out to Churinga.’
    Jenny noticed his shudder of distaste. She’d been right in her opinion that he would only have been a burden if just the thought of the place could make him so uncomfortable.
    â€˜Then you’ll just have to make sure the manager sees to it someone’s there to meet me,’ she said firmly. He might consider her stupid and wilful, but this was her adventure and she meant to see it through.
    â€˜As you wish.’ His tone revealed his misgivings.
    â€˜I’m not afraid of the outback or of travelling alone, John. I was brought up in an orphanage at Dajarra, and have had to fend for myself all my life. I’ve met some of the roughest working men in the harshest of places during my years on a Queensland sheep station. They’re only people like you and me. Honest, hard-working, hard-drinking people who wouldn’t harm me. Believe me, John, I’m far more at risk here in the city.’
    She fell silent for a moment to let him digest her words. ‘Peter left me Churinga so I could return to the land. The outback is a part of me, John – I have nothing to fear there.’
    Her impassioned speech seemed to decide him. ‘Then I’ll contact Churinga and let Brett Wilson know you’re on your way. If you’d wait a moment, I’ll try and get through now. I don’t want you leaving here before I’m quite certain you’ll be met.’
    He raised an eyebrow and Jenny nodded her acquiescence. At least he seemed to care what happened to her, she thought. And she was grateful for that.
    Three-quarters of an hour and two cups of weak tea later, he came back into the room. He was looking pleased with himself and rubbing his hands. ‘I have spoken to Mr Wilson, and he’s arranging for someone to meet the coach in three days’ time. You’ll probably arrive in the early evening so he suggests you stay in the hotel in case there’s a last-minute hitch. He assures me it’s quite proper for a young woman to spend the night alone in such a place.’
    Jenny smiled and stood up. His handshake was warm but limp. ‘Thank you for being so kind, John, and for your concern over my travelling arrangements.’
    â€˜I wish you well, Jennifer. And, may I say, I admire your courage. Let me know how you fare, and if there’s anything you need … well, you know where I am.’
    Jenny’s footsteps were sure and light as she left the shadowed building and walked down Macquarie Street. She was at last looking forward to her future.

Chapter Two
    Jenny’s emotions were mixed as she said goodbye to Diane, who as usual was decked in an exotic caftan, heavy eye makeup and too much clanking, jangling jewellery. ‘I’m excited, nervous, and not at all sure I’m doing the right thing,’ said Jenny, her voice not quite steady.
    Diane laughed and gave her a hug. ‘Of course you are. You don’t have to stay there if you hate it, and I promise not to throw wild bohemian parties in your house.’ She gave Jenny a little shove as the slam of train doors echoed around Sydney’s central station. ‘Now go, will you? Before I cry and make my mascara run.’
    Jenny kissed her, adjusted the rucksack more comfortably on her shoulders and turned towards the train. Central Station was busy with people rushing out of the city for the weekend, many of them dressed as she was, in shorts, shirt and thick boots and socks. Her felt hat was crammed into the back-pack, along with insect repellent, plasters, drawing materials, and three changes of clothes. She wouldn’t need much where she was