The Outback Heart Read Online Free Page B

Louie.
    ‘There’re a few workers around, but don’t know how good they’d be. Like Lucky. That Irish bugger can run, but as to kicking a ball . . .’ Spud threw up his hands.
    ‘Yeah, there’re a few Kiwi workers I know of and maybe we could pull a few old players out of retirement. Worth a shot. Let’s see what we can do,’ said Patrick as he started to walk off.
    ‘Hey, Pat, where are you going?’ Indi yelled at her brother. ‘Troy said you had to run five laps first. Bet I can do them in my work gear faster than you lot.’ None of them moved. ‘Come on. Or would you rather look like unfit lard arses at the first game?’ None of this was working so she went for the kill. ‘Look, I’ll buy you all a beer afterwards.’
    The pack of them turned on their heels and started jogging towards the goals. ‘You guys are so easy,’ she said, jogging after them.
    ‘I thought you said you could beat us,’ yelled Spud who was past the goals.
    Indi smiled but kept jogging at a steady pace. She was still smiling when she passed Spud, Limp, Pat and the three brothers, but Jasper was harder to catch.
    ‘Beat all of us, hey?’ he teased as he waited for her to join him at the finish line.
    ‘Smartarse. You try and run in boots and work pants.’
    ‘Well, you should have changed.’
    ‘Hey, I came straight from work.’
    ‘Come on. Let’s beat this lot to the pub.’ Jasper put his arm around her as they walked to his ute. ‘See you slowcoaches down there,’ he yelled to his mates, who were holding their bellies as they puffed and panted. ‘Bet Spud hurls, he always does with his first run.’ Jasper chuckled before turning to Indi. ‘You know, I could handle this kind of training. A few laps, then hit the pub. Reckon the new coach will take to it?’
    ‘After that spray he gave, not likely,’ she said.
    ‘So what else do you know about him?’ asked Jasper as he got into and started his blue SS Commodore ute.
    ‘Not much. Just that he took Dowerin to the premiership after starting near the bottom of the ladder. Think he’s got his work cut out for him here, though. Be good if he could help us win a few games.’
    ‘Yeah, well, pigs might fly and Limp might actually keep his pants on.’
    The brown brick pub looked deserted, much like the main street in town, with only one car parked out the front. But as they made their way through the double doors from the verandah, it was another story: two blokes sat at the bar while a couple of guys in hi-vis played pool off to the right and another bloke stood watching the TV up on the wall.
    ‘Wow, it’s almost a crowd. Don’t know them, they must be staying at the hotel.’ Indi pulled out her wallet and ordered their beers. ‘Hey, James, a couple of Carlton Drys, thanks.’
    She loved this pub. Used to love coming here with her parents. They’d buy her a small can of drink and she’d run around with her friends. Not much had changed except for the type of drink. Most times there was an even mix of locals.
    ‘Coming up, Indi.’
    Indi watched James, whose real name was Richard Bond, as he moved behind the bar. He’d only lived in Hyden a couple of months and she wondered if he was a footy fan – a player, even. He wasn’t out of shape and seemed coordinated enough working the bar.
    ‘How old are you, James?’ she asked as he put the beers on the bar in front of her. His skin was dark and his black goatee moved as he smiled.
    ‘I’m thirty. Why? You hitting on me, Indi?’ James cocked a bushy eyebrow.
    ‘In your dreams, Bondie,’ Jasper added, taking a gulp from the beer.
    ‘Oi, why not? Too old?’
    Indi pinched her thumb and finger together. ‘Just a little bit.’ After she handed him some money she asked, ‘Hey, have you played footy before?’
    ‘Me? Yeah a few kicks here and there. Why?’
    ‘Great, that’s settled. Next Thursday at six, footy training. Be there on the dot. We need you.’
    James held up his hand after wiping it on