Chapter 4

The next morning Charlie woke on his own, the sun shone through the window. Did he dream last night? He must've. He swung out of bed and got dressed, he discovered a letter that had been left in the screen door for him, he sat on the front verandah and watched the girls bringing in the cattle for drenching. He lit a smoke, he waved to them, they waved back, and Claire broke away from the mob and rode over.

"Morning."

"Morning."

"Sleep well?"

"Yeah, you?"

"Yeah."

"Anything you want me to do today?" He asked.

"Ah yes actually, rest and recuperate. I'll come by later on."

"Yes Boss."

Claire laughed and rode back towards the yards. Becky rode up beside her.

"He's a great bloke isn't he?" She asked.

"Yeah he's a rare one alright. She replied before yelling out "Tess! Get that gate!"

"So what was it like?" Becky asked with a cheeky grin.

Claire thought a moment and looked at her,

"It was unbelievable, it was like I was a well-trained mare that was broken out of a paddock and stolen away in the night by the wild brumby stallion."

"Wow." Was all Becky said as Alex Ryan pulled up, Claire waved to him, Alex hopped onto the rail as Claire rode up.

"How's he doing?" Alex asked nodding in the direction of the quarters.

"He's okay, he actually told us about his childhood and all that."

"Oh yeah? What was it, all high class society and all that hey?"

"Hardly, I'll put it this way, he has suffered more at the hands of people than some of us will ever see in our entire lives."

"Bit melodramatic isn't it?"

"Well Alex, go and ask him then."

"Maybe I will." Alex murmured as Harry arrived and joined him at the rail.

"How's he doing?"

"Yeah he's alright old man. You here to apologise to him?"

"Yes, I had better."

"Well, come on then." Alex said and started off towards the quarters. Harry followed closely.

"Skull! Are ya there mate? It's Alex!"

"Yeah mate, and its Charlie now, not Skull anymore."

"Charlie, this is my father."

"Harry Ryan, nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you Harry, tell me, are you going to speak to me the same way you spoke to my manager?"

"I'm sorry about that, I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions, it was wrong of me and I shouldn't have done it." Harry said.

"Well, I accept your apology Harry, I appreciate it, however, I will never forget, nor forgive what you did. In a legal sense I could've had you on the block for defamation and other things. I just had word, seems your ravings have made my practice worthless, all my patients are gone, my staff have quit. I now have nothing. For that I have you to thank. So thank you, and good day. Alex, you and Nick are welcome anytime, Harry, I appreciate what you did for me after my accident, but it doesn't outweigh the fact that you have destroyed my livelihood and reputation."

"I know, I really am sorry, would you accept an invitation to dinner at Killarney?"

"As long as I can bring someone."

"Sure, Thursday night ok?"

"Fine."

"Okay, see you then, Come on Alex."

"Coming Dad, see you Thursday Charlie."

"No worries."

Charlie watched them go, he lit a cigarette, his gaze switched to the yards then to Claire as she was walking towards him.

"What did they want?"

"Invited me to dinner at Killarney. Reckon its part of a way to say sorry for the fact that he has thrown my life away."

"What do you mean? Claire asked

He handed her a letter that had arrived that morning.

"Oh hell." She said, "Well, what are you going to do now?"

"Not a lot I can do, it's all gone. I have nothing." He said. "Will you come with me?"

"I can't, people talk enough, I'm sorry." Claire said as she turned to go.

"Yeah, you know what? You're right, I understand." Charlie said as he hobbled inside, the screen door banging shut behind him.