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Percy groaned, wishing Albie hadn’t told them. “I’ll get used to it,” he said. He brought the damper over as Albie fixed the hot tea. “Better to be busy anyway,” he said, trying to pick up the mood. “If I’m helping make dinner tonight, I need to make sure all my chores are squared away early, right?”
Albie took his seat, as did Des and Robert, so Percy did the same.
He had to admit the porridge wasn’t the best-looking gruel he’d ever seen, and it certainly wasn’t the tastiest. But it was hot and enough to fill his belly, and for that, he’d always be grateful.
He’d gone hungry too many times in the last few months to not appreciate any food he was offered.
Not to mention sitting at a table where he actually felt welcome.
“What have you got me doing today?” Percy asked Des when they were done eating and enjoying the last of their tea.
“We need to bring up the cattle herd from the southern end,” he said. “If they’re gonna go to market.”
Percy couldn’t help but grin. “For real?”
Des frowned at his excitement. “You ever worked with cattle before?”
“Well, no. I’ve worked with sheep.”
“Sheep?” Albie asked.
Percy managed a nod, his breakfast suddenly feeling like a lump in his belly. “I grew up on a sheep farm,” he admitted. “I’m guessing they can’t be too different from cattle.”
Robert laughed. “Oh, this should be good.”
Albie made a face. “More importantly, has your horse ever worked with cattle before? In the mountains?”
Percy felt all eyes on him. “Uh, no? I, ah, I don’t think so.”
Albie turned to Des. “Put him on Minnie.”
Des gave a hard nod and Percy tried to object, but Albie wasn’t having it. “Minnie’s part mountain goat, I’m sure of it. She knows what to do, especially around cattle. Until your horse gets used to it, you’ll ride her.”
That was Boss Albie speaking, so Percy didn’t argue again.
“When we bring the cattle into the yards,” Des said. “We bring your horse into the fold. He’ll learn soon enough.”
Percy felt better then, and he afforded Des a grateful smile. “Of course.”
With that settled and breakfast had, it was time to get to work. Albie was staying at the house. He had business matters to work on, apparently, though Percy kinda got the feeling this was more of a test on Percy.
Maybe Albie wanted to see how he worked under Des, how he followed orders and used his head.
Percy couldn’t blame him for that. It was fair. He’d have to prove himself for a while yet, he reasoned. He gave Bandit a scratch before climbing up on Minnie and following Des and Robert out.
The ground was mud, the air was biting cold and clean. The sun was barely recognisable behind the low grey clouds, and the further they got from the homestead, the steeper the terrain got.
Des and Robert were cautious on their horses, never pushing too hard, letting them set the pace. There were craggy boulders of granite everywhere, the whole area thick with trees, shrubs, and long grass.
Until it flattened out a little and there were some well-trodden muddy paths through the bush, which they then followed until, sure enough, Percy spotted his first cow.
A Hereford.
“Look,” he said, pointing.
Des nodded further up ahead and there was half a herd.
Percy was so excited. This was magical.
