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She closed her eyes and let the deep silence of the outback settle over her.

***

The morning dawned clear and cool, the sky lightening from deep purple to pale pink. Sophie had already left for the grocery store when Amelia woke, climbing carefully out of the van so as not to wake Jill. She smiled at the note pinned near the door: Gone to work. Good luck job hunting! Back around 5. Don’t let any snakes in the van. xx.

The campground was silent except for bird calls—magpies carolling their morning songs and somewhere in the distance, the laugh of a kookaburra.

She walked over to the amenities block, then stood outside for a moment, looking at the old pub in the early light. It looked different in the morning—less romantic, more simply ruined. The sagging verandah, the broken windows, the paint peeling in long strips. But the bones were good; she could see that. The structure was solid, the proportions elegant. It must have been beautiful once.

‘Impressive, isn’t it?’

Amelia turned to find Alex setting up his camp stove, preparing for breakfast.

‘Even in this state,’ she agreed, walking over. ‘It must have been something special when it was open.’

‘The Royal Hotel,’ Alex said, filling his kettle with water. ‘Built in 1898, closed in 1998. Exactly a hundred years of service to this community. Sassy told me all about it a few years back. Her late husband used to drink here with his mates. She said the whole town grieved when it shut.’

‘Why did it close?’

‘The usual reasons. Owner got old, no one to take it over, town shrinking, not enough business to justify staying open. Sad story, really.’ Alex lit the stove and adjusted the flame. ‘Coffee?’

‘Please.’

They sat in camp chairs while the water heated, watching the sun climb higher, painting the landscape in gold and amber.

‘I’ve been thinking about this place,’ Alex said after a while. ‘The pub, I mean. I’ve driven past it dozens of times over the years, watched it deteriorate. Always thought it was a shame. Such a waste of good architecture.’

‘Could it be saved?’ Amelia asked. ‘Or is it too far gone?’

‘That’s the question, isn’t it?’ Alex poured boiling water over instant coffee and handed her a mug. ‘I’m not an expert, but the structure looks sound enough. It would take a lot of work, a lot of money, but I think it could be done. Properly restored, it could be beautiful again.’

‘Who would want to do that, though? Invest that much in a dying town?’

Alex was quiet for a moment, staring at the building. ‘I might,’ he said finally. ‘I’ve been travelling for fifty years, Amelia. Seen most of Australia, much of it multiple times. I’ve got plenty of money saved, no family to leave it to except my son, and he’s doing well enough on his own. I’ve been thinking lately about leaving something behind. Something that matters.’

Amelia’s heart quickened. ‘You’re serious?’

‘Maybe. I don’t know yet. It’s a big decision, and I’d need professional advice before I do anything.’ He smiled at her surprised expression. ‘Don’t get too excited. I’m just an old man dreaming out loud. But I’ve asked my son to come up and take a look. Jake’s a builder—a licensed builder, project manager, and he knows his stuff. If anyone can tell me whether this place is salvageable, it’s him.’

‘Really? When’s he coming?’

‘Should be here Tuesday or Wednesday. He’s finishing up a job in Brisbane, then he’ll drive up.’ Alex sipped his coffee. ‘I thought I’d stay here for the week, show him around, get his professional opinion. If he says it’s feasible, well... maybe I’ll give it some more thought.’

‘That would be amazing,’ Amelia said, trying not to sound too enthusiastic. ‘For the town, I mean. It could make such a difference.’

‘It could,’ Alex agreed. ‘Or it could be a massive waste of money on a project that’s doomed to fail. That’s why I need Jake’s assessment. He won’t sugarcoat it—he’ll tell me straight if I’m being a sentimental fool.’

Jill emerged from the van, stretching and yawning. ‘Morning! Are we talking about something exciting? You both look very serious.’

‘Alex is thinking about restoring the pub,’ Amelia said, unable to keep the excitement from her voice. ‘His son’s coming to assess it.’

‘Really?’ Jill’s eyes widened. ‘That’s brilliant! When?’

‘Tuesday or Wednesday,’ Alex said. ‘But remember, girls—this is just an idea. I haven’t decided anything yet. Don’t get your hopes up.’

***

Meanwhile, Sophie was discovering that her first day in the store had been misleadingly pleasant.