The Golden Land by Di Morrissey Page A

much faster than we’re doing, and without you having to go back to work.’
    â€˜Really? How?’ Natalie looked puzzled.
    â€˜I’m going to apply for a new job.’
    â€˜Doing what?’
    â€˜Still a sparky, of course. But away from here . . .’
    â€˜Move? Oh no! Do you want us to move? Do you want to rent this place out?’
    â€˜Calm down, Nat. No, of course not. Anyway,’ he smiled at her, ‘who’d rent the place in the state it’s in? No, what I meant was that I’ll be away, but you and the kids will stay here. I won’t be away all the time. But I can make a lot more money working out at a mine site. It’ll be long hours but great money. And they tell me the conditions aren’t bad.’
    â€˜You mean you’re going to be a fly in – fly out worker?’ said Natalie quietly. ‘How long would you be away for?’
    â€˜It’s four weeks on, one week off. Twelve working days a fortnight.’
    â€˜That’s ridiculous! Crazy.’
    â€˜I know it’s not perfect for us, Nat, but it’s great takehome pay, much more than what I earn now.’
    â€˜Where would you be?’ asked Natalie, trying to settle her jumbled feelings and emotions. The money sounded terrific but the hours were horrendous for Mark, she would miss him and how would she manage on her own for such long stretches at a time?
    â€˜Central Queensland. There’s a lot of work for good electricians: keeping machinery operating, wiring work sites and building living quarters and facilities for the workers.’
    â€˜It’s such a long time away . . .’ began Natalie, feeling close to tears.
    â€˜It’s the only way we can save enough money to get the renovations done quickly. Just for a year or two, say. And after each shift, when I come back, I’ll have seven days just to be here with you and the kids. That will give you a break. You can have lunch with your girlfriends, and I’ll spend quality time with the kids.’
    Natalie stared at Mark. ‘You’ll need time-out after working those hideous hours. It’s your break, too.’
    â€˜I’ve talked to other people who have done it. Jason’s working as a plumber over in the west. Saving up for a house. Says he’s whacking nearly a grand into the bank every pay.’
    â€˜I have to think about this.’ Natalie got up. She was too tired for another glass of wine and she wanted to think about the whole idea before discussing it further.
    â€˜I need to get to bed. Adam is waking so early these mornings. Let’s talk about this some more before we make a decision.’
    Slowly Natalie got used to the idea and the lure of the extra money seemed too good an opportunity to pass up.
    But when Mark started his new job the adjustment for them all was much greater than they had imagined. The children became clingy and needy while he was away. When Mark came home he was exhausted and slept for hours at a stretch. It took at least two days for him to reset his body clock, regain his good temper and enjoy playing with them, and then it was time for him to go again.
    â€˜It’s not like you’ve flown in from Alaska,’ complained Natalie. ‘I don’t understand why the job has had such an impact on you.’
    Mark sighed. ‘I don’t stay up late boozing, watching DVDs or anything like that,’ he said defensively. ‘Anyway, we get tested for alcohol and drugs and you can’t work if they’re in your system.’
    â€˜Drugs! You get drug tested?’ exclaimed Natalie.
    â€˜People are driving expensive equipment, working with explosives. It’s a safety thing. Jeez, I don’t want to work with someone who’s not all there.’
    â€˜What are you doing that makes you so tired?’
    â€˜I’m working. But it’s hard physical work, even my job. There’s a lot of noise, speed,