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“Well, there’s another dozen here if you want them.”

“I’ll take the lot.” Amy gestured to Violet. “Billie, this is Violet, she’s been waiting to see you.”

“Me?” Billie frowned as she looked at Violet with no recognition on her face.

“Hi, Billie, you don’t know me. I’m a visitor to town. I have some car issues, but the garage is shut, and I didn’t call the road breakdown service over the weekend because Joe, where I’m staying, said they probably wouldn’t come until today, so I decided to wait until the garage was open. I thought it might have been quicker, but it looks like I made a wrong call. Amy said you work there?”

“That’s right, and yes, you would probably have had to wait unless it was an emergency. Usually, Fred’s Garage would be your best option, but Dale called me this morning and said to take the week off.”

Violet frowned. “I guess it’s the NRMA then.”

“I’m happy to have a quick look at your car. Where is it?”

“Oh, thank you so much.” Finally, some progress. “It’s parked at the garage where you work.”

“So, it’s roadworthy? You can drive it?” Billie asked.

Violet shook her head. “No, Joe Rossiter kindly rescued me when I broke down in the creek north of his place on Saturday night and his brother lent us a car trailer. It’s sitting at the side of the building.”

Billie nodded. “How about I take you to the garage now and I can have a look? It might be something simple. If not, you’ll have to call the NRMA.”

“Oh, would you really? I’ll pay you.”

“No need. I’ve got some time on my hands this morning. What type of car is it?”

“It’s a brand-new ute, I’ve been driving it for six weeks.”

“What make?”

When Violet told her, Billie nodded. “I’ve heard they’ve recalled their latest model because of gearbox issues. If it is the gearbox, you might be without it for quite a while. Past my expertise.”

Violet’s spirits sank again. “Well, I suppose I could be stuck in worse places.”

“Right to go now?” Billie asked.

“I am. Amy, is it okay if I leave these here? I’ll come back when we’re done.” Violet held up the gifts she’d chosen.

“Of course. Good luck!”

Billie led Violet to a white ute, a much older model than hers, and she gestured to it. “Jump in.”

They chatted as they headed down the road.

“Where are you staying in town?” Billie waited at the intersection before the garage.

“Joe’s been really kind. I’m bunking in his sleepout. And would you believe his family even invited me for their early Christmas dinner yesterday.”

“They’re fairly new to town, but the Rossiters are good people,” Billie said. She whistled as she turned into the garage and parked behind the trailer holding Violet’s ute. “Brand-new’s not wrong!”

Violet nodded glumly. “Yes, brand-new, barely a mark on it, just bit of dust from your dirt roads. There was more dust on it before the rain, and would you believe I broke down in the middle of the creek, about a kilometre from Joe’s house. I was heading for the Akuna National Park.”

“Can you unlock it and give me the keys?” Billie said. “While I check it out go around the other side of the building and check out the mural. You can see the park there.”

“The park?” Violet frowned.

Billie grinned as she took the keys from Violet. “Go and have a stickybeak. It’ll make you come back here when you have a vehicle you can rely on.” Billie swung herself up onto the trailer, and opened the ute door. The motor turned over but didn’t fire, then when Billie tried to put it into gear, there was an awful clunk from underneath.

Violet shook her head and walked towards the building Billie had pointed out.