‘You go for that eye test?’
‘You wipe your bum this morning?’
‘Steady on.’
‘Don’t tell me what to do.Who are you?’Thump, slide.Thump, slide.Chook dragged his wooden leg across the deck of the houseboat while squinting heavily at Romy.
‘What’s wrong with your leg?’Stone frowned at Chook as the wooden leg, poking out from beneath the rolled cuff of his trousers, dragged across the floor.
‘It fell asleep from sitting too long.What’s wrong with her?’
‘Who, me?’Romy pointed at herself.
‘You’re hangin’ around with this fella.You must have rocks in your head.’
Romy giggled, and it was the sweetest sound.‘I agree.’
‘Oi!’Stone tried to frown, yet couldn’t stop mirroring her smile.
‘She’s a good sort.You can come in, girlie, leave this ratbag out ‘ere.’
‘I’m here for a reason, old man.’
Romy’s eyes combed the area, no doubt wondering if she needed a tetanus shot to stay on board.‘Who are you?’
‘This is the king of the crocodiles, the original crocodile hunter of three states and a bunch of local islands, the land-lubbing pirate of poor manners, Chook.’
‘Chook?’
‘Yeah, just Chook.’Again, the old man’s many wrinkles deepened as he squinted at Romy.‘You got a problem with that?’
‘No.Not at all.’Romy gallantly held out her hand to Chook.‘Pleased to meet you, Chook.I’m Romy.You’re my first crocodile hunter and pirate.’
‘Well, hell…’ Stone pushed back the brim of his hat and nodded at Romy with approval.That was a big tick in his books.‘Don’t be rude, old man, shake the lady’s hand.’
‘It’s been a while.’Chook repeatedly wiped his hand over his shirt.‘If I’d known I was having visitors, I might’ve had a rub-a-dub-dub.’
‘That’s a bath, right?’Romy asked.
Chook’s light blue eyes lit up.‘I like this one.You can go, Stone, leave the lady here.’
Romy faltered to look up at him with trepidation.
‘I’m her pilot, not yours.But I need a favour.’
‘Another one?I just did you one already.’
‘So you’ve met Raven?’
‘Yeah.’
‘And…’
‘I put her down the back creek.Don’t worry, she’ll be safe there.Got a good well for water and lean-to for shade.Why did you make me play landlord to The Vegan?She in trouble?’
‘Saltscale had a break-in.’
‘Malcolm Rowntree’s place?’
