Flight to Coorah Creek by Janet Gover Page B

the desperation in her voice. He was surprised by how deeply that touched him. He heard the determination, too, and that he admired.
    â€˜Do you want to come and have a look at this house?’ he said, changing the subject. ‘We need to get it done fairly fast. The doc was supposed to organise accommodation for Jess, but …’ Jack paused. ‘It’s complicated. Why don’t you get the kids? I can explain as we drive over there. Then, if you’re willing to take it on, we can get started.’
    â€˜All right.’
    Ellen seemed to find Jack’s explanation about the house rather amusing. ‘I’m looking forward to meeting this doctor,’ she said with a smile, when Jack finished the story.
    When they walked into the silent house, Harry and Bethany took one look around at the big empty rooms and raced off to explore.
    â€˜How long was this left to decay?’ Ellen asked.
    â€˜The doc has been here for five years. He moved into the hospital a couple of months after he arrived. I guess that means it’s been empty since then.’
    â€˜And he expected it still to be liveable?’
    â€˜That’s the doc,’ Jack said. ‘He doesn’t think much beyond his work.’
    â€˜And the furniture has gone where?’
    â€˜I guess Adam took some of it to use at the hospital. A chair or two. He gave some bits and pieces to Sister Luke for one of the Aboriginal families that needed help. I remember helping him shift the fridge to the hospital. And I think the bed in the maternity ward came from here.’
    â€˜This is a lovely house,’ Ellen said, as she stood in the centre of the living room, slowly turning in a circle. ‘Or it will be by the time we’ve finished with it. It needs a good clean, of course. And furniture – a sofa over there. That room through there could be the main bedroom – but there are those other two rooms around the back. Then here – for a dining room table.’
    Jack listened to her. In her head this dusty shell was already a home.
    â€˜It’s such a shame to see such a lovely big house empty,’ Ellen continued, almost as if talking to herself. ‘It would be the perfect home for a family, with that other big room out the back. Perfect for kids. You could do so much with it.’
    Jack almost heard the ping of the light bulb springing into life above his head. Now there was an idea! He’d have to be careful how he went about it – but if he played his cards right … two birds with one stone.

Chapter Nine
    The pub kitchen was buzzing when Jess went down for breakfast, attracted by the smell of fresh coffee.
    The kids were seated at the big table, busy devouring cereal covered in chopped fruit. Ellen was making toast and Trish was muttering to herself as she surveyed the big pantry, notebook in hand.
    â€˜Good morning. I hope you slept well,’ Ellen said, as she poured some coffee into a mug.
    â€˜Yes. Thanks.’ As she spoke, Jess realised that she really had slept well. Since the trip to Mount Isa two days ago, her nights had been undisturbed by nightmares. She slid into a chair at the table, smiling at Ellen’s kids as she did.
    â€˜Jessica, dear. Would you like some eggs?’ Trish emerged from the pantry. ‘I could cook some you know. I always think a big breakfast is important. Gives you energy for the day. And in your job … Well you never know, do you?’
    â€˜No thanks,’ Jess said. ‘Coffee and a slice of toast will do me just fine.’
    â€˜You girls these days, always watching your figures. It’s not healthy …’ Trish was still speaking as she left the kitchen.
    Ellen caught Jess’s eye and they shared a smile. ‘I wonder if she stops talking when she’s asleep,’ Jess said with a grin.
    Ellen nodded. ‘She does talk rather a lot, but she has been very good to the kids. And to