This must be their ride.The name on the bus was that of the boat he had hired and the tall, blond man who got out of the driver’s seat was the captain Oliver had met on a video call.
Oliver smiled and strode over.“Sam, this wasn’t how I envisioned us meeting in person.”He shook the broad-shouldered man’s hand.“Sorry for getting you out of bed.”
Sam smiled back.“No problem.I’m always happy to help Dot.”He glanced behind Oliver.“Where is she?”
The rush of jealousy made Oliver frown, and he nodded towards the bush.“She had to shoot the kangaroo we hit.She’s over there.”
Concern crossed Sam’s face.“Here.”He handed Oliver the keys to the bus.“Load your gear into the back and we’ll have you in Retribution Bay in no time.”Without waiting for an answer, he strode into the bush.
Did Sam not know Dot well enough to realise she wouldn’t want to be disturbed right now?
Or was he the person shewouldwant to see?
The envy in his gut was unexpected, and not something Oliver needed right now.
He returned to the van.“All right, gang.Let’s get this stuff moved.”
By the time they finished moving all their things from the van to the bus, the tow truck had arrived, and Sam had returned with Dot.She went straight to the police car and wiped her face, and then checked the mirror.
She’d definitely been crying.
Oliver felt a tug deep in his gut, but he didn’t move to speak with her.Instead he headed for the tow truck driver.
“Thanks for coming out so late.”
The man nodded.“Better to remove the car from the road in case someone doesn’t see it.”
“Do you get this kind of damage often?”
“Yep.Probably take a while to get parts up to fix it, though.”
Not what he wanted to hear.
“You got your bus licence?”Sam asked.
“Yeah.”He’d got it at university because they’d regularly done class outings and he saw the value of being able to move a large team at once.
“You can borrow the bus then,” Sam said.“It will just be sitting there during the off-season.”
Relief filled him.“How much per week?”
Sam laughed.“Nothing, mate.Just pay for petrol and keep it clean.You’ll be on the boat most days anyway, and it will save me having to pick you up.”
“Thanks.I really appreciate it.”He was used to people thinking he had a decent budget because of the shipwreck reality television show he’d been on.
The tow truck driver yawned.“Let’s get this beast on the truck.”
Sam moved the bus out of the way, and before long the van was on the back of the tow truck.Oliver grabbed the tow truck driver’s phone number and address, and then waved as he drove off.Sam waited patiently, chatting to Tom and Rajesh, and Dot was with Suzyn, dealing with the joey.Dot glanced at him and then straightened and walked over.“Suzyn has agreed to hold the joey on the journey to town.She can come with me, and we’ll stop by the wildlife carer on the way.Where are you staying?”
“A house on Lansdell Street.”He couldn’t remember the number.
“Lindsay’s place?”
He nodded.He was surprised Lindsay hadn’t told her.Dot had been close to her when he’d visited Retribution Bay all those years ago.
“All right.We shouldn’t be more than ten minutes after you.”She gestured to Suzyn to join her.
Oliver watched her go, ignoring the urge to follow.Their relationship was long over.But he still had questions as to why it had ended and only Dot could answer them.
