He sloshed through odorous oceans of cow effluent with scarcely a thought. He grew quicker, more adept—at both work and keeping out of the way of the hands and feet of old Pearson. No one thanked him for his efforts. The only signal that he was getting better was that he got more work to do and the other two did less. The day arrived when Clarrie Pearson didn’t turn up for the morning milking.

‘Well, well, well, well, well, Mister Pongo. Just you and me, now. Isn’t that going to be fun? Well, for me it is. I’ve been looking forward to this,’ Darcy Pearson announced. ‘I’m your boss now, and you’ll do exactly what I tell you. Right? Now get to bloody work, Pongo!’ He grinned happily as his boot connected with Jake’s backside. The milking shed world was now his oyster and he planned to make the most of it. For Darcy this was seventh heaven.

Jake’s nightmare deepened.

IV

He should have been warned. He shouldn’t have allowed himself to be sucked in so easily, so readily. Never before had Darcy offered to haul the cream cans to the road. This time he did. ‘I’ll do it, mate. You just hose down the shit and I’ll come back and check you’ve done it properly. Don’t want the old man in a worse temper than usual when he checks up, do we?’ Darcy smiled, speaking softly in a tone of sweet consideration and reason.

‘OK.’ Jake didn’t look this strange gift-horse closely enough in the mouth.

When Darcy returned, he appeared satisfied. He took out his cigarettes, lit one for himself and then offered the pack to Jake. ‘Go on. You can have one, Pongo, but don’t expect them all the time.’

‘No thank you,’ said Jake.

‘Thought you told me you smoked?’

‘Only a little bit.’

‘Well you can make it a little bit more now. Go on. You’ve earned it. You just help yourself.’

Jake did. He lit up and drew in the smoke, felt dizzy and coughed. ‘I haven’t had one for a long time.’ In spite of an empty stomach, he enjoyed the smoke and the brief moment of strange familiarity with Darcy. ‘Not for quite a long while,’ he added.

‘I can tell. But don’t you worry about it,’ said Darcy, smiling. ‘Come on through here,’ he nodded towards the separator room. ‘Got an even better surprise for you through here.