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"Only once."
"With who?"
I'm really on a roll. Once you start asking questions and people reply, it's like more just keep on coming. So this is what having a deep, meaningful conversation feels like. It's not half bad…as long as I stick to being the one asking the questions.
"I dated this guy for a year when I was at uni in Sydney. Simon. I loved him. At least I thought I did. Looking back, I'm not so sure. He was the first person I slept with. He was from a small country town, so we had that in common."
"What happened?"
"He turned out to be a huge fucking liar. He kept saying that he was keen to come back to Scuttlebutt with me and even move here after uni. I get that this place isn't for everyone, but he really made me believe he wanted to live here."
"What happened?"
"Every time I tried to get him to visit with me on a break, something would always come up last minute."
"Did he ever come?"
Wilby shakes his head sadly. "Nope. I finally had enough. We got into a huge fight, and he admitted he never meant it. He justwanted to be with me because I was the life of the party and fun to be around. He wasn't looking for anything long-term, and he sure as fuck never wanted to settle down with me in a small town."
"Aw, Wilby. I'm so sorry. That really sucks."
"That's just life, mate."
We drive in silence for a while, but a piece of my heart just broke for the guy. To think that someone would just use him for some of his best qualities, stringing him along for a year and feeding him lies while Wilby gave him his virginity because he loved him. That's so cruel.
"Um. Why are we turning off?" I ask, when Wilby veers off the highway.
"You didn't think I drove to work, did you?"
"Uh, yeah. I did."
At least, Ihopedyou did.
Wilby points ahead. There's a tiny strip of runway with what looks like the outline of a plane covered in white material at one end.
"What the fuck is that?"
"It's my baby." Wilby brings the car to a stop under a tree. "She's a Cessna 170. Single engine, four seater. Pure joy to fly. Made in the USA just like you…"
His words get lost by the fear and alarm rising in me, making my chest go tight and sending a cold shiver down my spine as I take in the wrapped-up plane.
"I-I can't go in that thing."
"I'm a great pilot."
"No. I c-can't."
My hands have gone clammy.
"I know you didn't want to take me up on my offer in Sydney, but I figured since you've been travelling around Australia these past six weeks, surely you've been in your fair share of planes?"
"I have. Domestic ones. Much bigger ones. And where possible, I've driven. Like I did to Scuttlebutt."
Wilby frowns, confused. "But you work with farmers on massive properties, yeah?"
I nod, trying to swallow, but my mouth is as dry as dirt.
"How do they show you around their properties?"
