The Opal Desert by Di Morrissey Page A

working up here now. On their own, too.’
    â€˜What sort of thing do they do on their own up here?’ asked Kerrie.
    â€˜Lots. They mine, work in the shops and the local community, and in the hospitality industry, of course. Most of the opal stores are run, or owned, by women. Some are talented jewellery designers. One grew up here. Her grandfather and father mined and she learnt a lot from them. Some girls come to the Ridge for a couple of days and never leave. So who’s your friend? I might know her.’
    â€˜It’s Murray Evans. He’s an artist.’
    â€˜Too bloody right he is. Lovely fellow, so’s his wife, Fiona.’
    â€˜You know him?’ said Kerrie.
    â€˜Sure do. Known John and Fee since they first came to the Ridge. Nearly twenty years ago. His gallery is down the end of the street but he works in his studio out at his camp. Fiona is nearly always in the gallery.’
    â€˜How long have you been in Lightning Ridge?’ asked Kerrie. ‘Sounds like a long time.’
    â€˜I was born around here in Mehi. Went away for a long time then came back. My missus died a while ago and so I moved out of town. You caught me on a town day. If I can help you, let me know. Murray has my number. I’ll take you for a drive out to a mine or whatever, if you’d like.’
    â€˜Thanks, that’s kind of you. Do you mine for opals?’
    â€˜That’s the name of the game. The raison d’être for being at the Ridge. Yeah, I’ve got a claim or two round the place.’
    â€˜Do you find many opals?’ asked Kerrie. ‘I don’t know much about them.’
    â€˜That’s a question you never ask around here. No one ever talks about what they’re digging – though word creeps around soon enough.’
    â€˜I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry. Is it because someone else comes and pegs a claim next to you?’ asked Kerrie.
    â€˜Nah. Because of ratters.’
    â€˜Ratters?’
    â€˜Bastards who sneak into your mine at night and rip out your opal. The night shift!’ explained Billy.
    â€˜Can’t you secure your mine at night?’
    â€˜These blokes have night-vision goggles and heavy artillery. Serious stuff.’
    â€˜It sounds like the wild west. Do the ratters get caught?’
    â€˜There’s always been Ridge law to deal with ratters. Funny how some fellas get pissed and stumble down a fifty-foot mine shaft in the dark and break their neck.’ Billy grinned. ‘But now days, crims come in many guises. Some of the blokes who arrive in smart cars and fancy shoes are just as crooked as any ratter. The boys from the big end of town are creeping in.’ Seeing Kerrie’s startled look, he went on, ‘We’re facing the end of an era here. But that’s not what visitors want to know. You should get a sense of how it was in the old days.’
    Kerrie nodded. She was startled by Billy’s tales of lawlessness and wasn’t sure whether to take them seriously or not. ‘Billy, you are a mine of information. Sorry about the pun,’ said Kerrie.
    â€˜No worries,’ said Billy. ‘Ridge people are friendly on the whole. It’s the spirit of the place. It’s always been a pretty rugged lifestyle and if you don’t help a mate in strife, well, don’t count on getting help when you need it.’
    â€˜I suppose so,’ said Kerrie. ‘To tell you the truth I’ve never been this far outback before.’
    â€˜Out here you have to rely on other people for everything – social life, helping with a job, getting supplies, that sort of thing. Mind you, there are people out in the scrub who prefer to keep to themselves. Might go months without seeing another human being. But that’s the way they like it.’
    â€˜Thanks, Billy. I have enjoyed talking with you. Let me pay for your coffee.’
    â€˜Thanks, but no thanks. It’s on the tick. I