by Annie Seaton
‘Disappear? I haven’t read about any accidents here.’
He lifted his free hand and nicotine-stained fingers tapped the side of his nose. ‘You need to listen to us locals, love. Snake bite, rockfalls and the bad stuff. You wouldn’t get me down there in those tubes for quids. And you lot shouldn’t be down there, either. Travis didn’t want you there, but he kept quiet about the danger. He needs the money.’
Emlyn wondered if he was trying to scare her off. ‘What sort of “bad” stuff?’
‘Nah. You’ll think I’m as balmy as a bandicoot.’
‘Try me.’
‘The spooks.’ Bluey lowered his voice to a husky whisper. ‘Those caves are haunted. Back in the 1800s, they reckoned there was gold down there and they say half them prospectors who went looking never came back up.’ He put his head close to hers. ‘On a still night, if you go close enough to the entrance you can hear them.’
‘I’ll keep that in mind,’ Emlyn said. ‘If that’s what “they” say.’
He shrugged. ‘Just be careful. When you get scared, just remember old Blue warned you.’
‘We will. There’s no need to worry, and we’re not going to cause Travis any bother.’ She kept her tone matter-of-fact, despite the rubbish that he’d spouted. ‘All we’re hoping to find are some new species of insects.’
He scratched his head, and his heavily wrinkled face creased even more. ‘Why the hell—sorry, love—why the heck would you want to go looking for insects? Seems like a funny job for anyone, let alone a young girl like you.’
‘It might not change anything, but our entomological studies can help humankind. Agricultural pest control, threats to humans, and animals carrying disease—’
He waved his hand. ‘Ya reckon?’
‘We’ll have to agree to differ,’ she said with a smile. ‘Do you live around here?’
He nodded. ‘I’ve been here all my life. Born over at Mt Surprise. I’ve been a stockman here on and off for over sixty years.’
‘It’s such an amazing place. You know, there aren’t many places in the world like this. And this system is one of the biggest.’ Emlyn stared towards the volcano, trying to imagine the eruption that had created the tubes here so long ago. When the lava had spewed out, some had found its way into old watercourses. When it channelled along them, the lava hardened on the tops and sides to form the insulated tubes that they were looking down on now. ‘They say that the swamps here are created by the drainage being blocked by the lava flows,’ she said half to herself.
‘And that’s why the property here has been able to keep cattle right through the years. Even those years when we’ve not had much rain. And there’s a lot of springs, too.’
Emlyn was impressed with his knowledge of the property. ‘Maybe you can help when we get into the tubes.’
‘Not if you want me anywhere near them.’ His eyes caught hers and held them. ‘Depends what you want, hey?’ A puff of white smoke surrounded him as he exhaled, and the familiar smell reached her again, filling her with a strange comfort.
Before she could answer, her phone buzzed again, and she turned away as she pulled it from her pocket. ‘Excuse me.’
He nodded and leaned against the tree, the cigarette hanging from his lips as he watched her. Emlyn moved away and clicked on her messages.
One from John Kearns; the floodwater had slowed them down more than they had expected and they hoped to arrive early tomorrow. The other message was from the store where she’d ordered the groceries, wanting to know if the back gate to the property that led to the Einasleigh Road was unlocked. She’d have to go across and ask Travis; they were delivering the provisions this afternoon.
Emlyn lifted her head and stared at the sky. The pink of dawn had faded, and the clouds had turned from gold to grey. Shoving the phone in her pocket, she turned to the stockman.
‘I have to go back and get organised. It was good to meet you, Bluey. Thank you for showing me the quick way up here.’
He nodded as they headed to the track. ‘My pleasure, love. Anything else you need fixed, just give me a hoy. Travis always knows where to find me.’
* * *
Travis sat out on the front steps enjoying the still morning air. The sky had cleared yesterday and there was so sign of more rain. Two and a half millimetres the night before last had been enough to wet the dirt. When they’d come in last night, the boys had stayed up late watching a DVD, some shoot-’em-up, bang-’em-up action thing, but he hadn’t been in the mood. They were still asleep.
He looked up as the old ute roared up the road. Bluey swung it through the gate. Travis stood as the stockman jumped out and ran up the hill. He was puffing by the time he reached the steps.
‘Slow down, Blue. You’ll give yourself a heart attack. What’s the rush?’
‘Fuckin’ hell, Trav. You haven’t been over to the paddock where we put the breeders the other day?’
‘Not since the day before yesterday when I checked the lick blocks. Why?’
‘What about the Collins idiot?’
‘I got him to top up the feed that afternoon.’
Bluey sat on the bottom step. He dropped his head in his hands.
‘Blue?’ Concern built in Travis’s chest, and he dropped to his haunches and squatted in front of him. ‘What is it?’
‘I told you that young bastard was no good.’
‘Who? You’re going to have to tell me what’s happened.’
‘The Collins kid. They’re all dead.’
Travis stared at Bluey. ‘Mate, I have no idea what you’re talking about. Who’s dead?’
Bluey lifted his face and his mouth was set in a grim line. ‘Your cattle. The breeders. I went over to check the feed and there’s not one left alive.’
‘What? What the fuck?’ The blood ran from Travis’s head as he pushed himself to his feet. ‘How the hell did that happen?’ He dug in his pocket for his keys.
Bluey shook his head. ‘Come with me. It’ll be quicker.’
* * *
When Bluey dropped him back to the house a couple of hours later, there was still no sign of life. Travis pounded up the front steps and pushed open the front door so hard it ricocheted off the wall.
‘Are you still in bed, Gavin?’ he yelled. He hadn’t checked the shed to see if his brother’s ute was there. Gavin had spent the last two days in his room or on the computer. There was no sign of the twins, either.
I’m holding the bloody place together by myself, Travis thought.
Gavin wandered out of his room unshaven, with a stubborn look on his face. ‘I was asleep until you slammed the door against the wall.’ He rubbed a hand over his eyes. ‘What’s all the noise about?’
‘I need your help today.’ Travis’s words were clipped. He was just keeping it together trying not to think about the financial consequences of the dead cattle. He strode into the kitchen.
‘I can’t. I have to go to Townsville.’
‘I really need you today. We’ve got to bury some cattle. You can drive the backhoe.’
Gavin’s footsteps were faster than usual as he hurried behind him into the kitchen. ‘Bury? Why?’
‘Because they’re dead.’ Travis’s jaw clenched as he filled the coffee machine.
‘Dead? How?’ Gavin looked like he was about to cry, and that helped Travis calm down. He grabbed a chair and flopped into it.
‘I don’t know, Gav. I must have got the mix wrong. Or I didn’t ease them into it slow enough. They had salt blocks for two weeks.’
‘Maybe someone hurt them?’ Gavin stood and crossed to the coffee machine, poured a cup and brought it over to Travis.
Travis looked up at his brother as he took the mug. His hair was tousled, and even though he was a stocky man, his blue-striped pyjamas were too big for him. ‘Appreciate it.’
‘So, did someone hurt them?’ Gavin persisted.
‘No, it was all my doing. I stuffed up.’ No matter what Bluey suspected, Travis knew it was h
is error. He racked his brain and worked out the calculations again in his head. He’d used a propriety mix with salt, urea, minerals and grains because it was convenient to feed out. He knew all the blocks weren’t the same weight, and they could vary in nutrient content.
‘I can still remember what Dad used to say,’ Gavin said. ‘An old bushie’s thing, remember?’
‘No, I don’t,’ Travis said patiently. ‘What did he say?’
‘Whenever urea is fed to cattle, deaths can occur.’
Travis nodded. ‘He did. I’m surprised you remember that. Dad’s been gone a long time.’
‘And Mum has too.’ Gavin sniffed and wiped his nose with the back of his hand. He went to the fridge and poured himself a glass of chocolate milk. ‘I really can’t help today. I have to go to Townsville. It’s important.’
Travis waved a hand. ‘Whatever you have to do.’
Gavin disappeared into the bathroom, and Travis went outside to clear his head. He was used to spending most of his time alone; having the boys home, the rest of the university mob about to turn up down the road, and Alison and Cass coming this morning, he needed some space for himself before they all arrived. And after what had happened he needed some time to think it through more than ever.
A litany of problems crowded his head as he sipped the coffee. He pushed the financial issues to the back of his mind. He’d think about the bloody gold mine later. He’d move heaven and hell not to accept the offer, but he knew the time was coming when he had no other option. They’d withdrawn their offer after meeting with Gavin, but Travis was sure they’d come to the table and talk again. He’d have to put that Collins boy off; he couldn’t afford to keep him on. And maybe it was time for Bluey to retire. Maybe Jase would have to leave school and come home to work with him.
And Joel, too.
Or maybe if Carroglen would talk again everyone would be happy; Alison might come home, too. As far as he knew she wasn’t seeing anyone; the boys would have told him if she was.
Maybe it was time to try one more time.
Convince her to come home.
Maybe he was kidding himself, but if she had no respect—or feelings—for him, she wouldn’t have talked to him for such a long time on the phone the night before last.
Okay, she kept her distance, but he was sure there was always a spark in her eyes when they saw each other. Or maybe he was just seeing what he wanted to.
The sound of a car approaching had him lifting his head. He’d been waiting for Alison to text him about when they were going to turn up. She always borrowed her cousin Bette’s car to get to Hidden Valley.
Bette’s small red car was coming slowly along the road. Travis smiled; Alison had always driven fast, but after the boys were born, her driving habits had slowed right down.
‘We have precious cargo now,’ she’d always reminded him when he’d teased her.
His smile faded as the car approached. They’d barely got to share Cass as precious cargo. Alison had left before Cass had graduated from the baby seat to a toddler’s car seat. The car turned into the gate and parked close to the steps. He walked over and reached in to undo Cass’s belt. He took her out and swung her high as she tried to plant wet kisses all over his cheeks.
‘Dadda, Dadda,’ she squealed.
‘Hello, my chicken. Did you bring me a present?’
The little face was scornful, but she took his face between her small hands. ‘I did. Kisses.’
Travis let her kiss him and then she held him tightly around his neck and whispered in his ear, ‘I wanna stay.’
Disappointment settled in his gut. Obviously, Alison had said something about a short visit. He put Cassie down as his wife approached. He knew by her stance that something was wrong.
God, he knew her so well. He could almost read her mind, but damn it, he was going to push her buttons before she could start on about whatever was bothering her. He reached out his hand before she could move away and took her arm. Pulling her close, he dropped a kiss on her cheek. She’d done something different with her hair colour, but he couldn’t pinpoint what it was. And she’d lost weight; her face looked thinner.
‘Hi, Al. It’s good to see you. You’re looking good.’
Her hair had grown since he’d last seen her and she’d pulled it back from her face. Her skin was unlined, and her blue eyes were bright and clear, although he did notice unfamiliar shadows beneath her eyes as she stepped away from him.
‘Hello, Travis.’ She glanced up at the house. ‘Where are the boys?’
‘Out the back in their tents. They had a late night and then they wanted to camp out.’
Her eyes moved down the hill to the shed. ‘I thought you said Gavin was going away yesterday?’
Travis shrugged. ‘You know what he’s like. Apparently, he’s leaving this morning.’
Cassie tugged at his sleeve.
‘Are you going to stay here?’ he asked Alison. ‘I’d like to spend some time with Cass.’
‘I don’t know yet.’ Her voice was soft as he stood back and let her walk up the stairs in front of him. ‘We’ll see.’
‘Come in and I’ll cook us some brunch.’
If it wasn’t for the boys teasing Cassie, the meal would have been a tense affair. Gavin was trying to talk to Alison and the boys about some computer game he’d bought, but she seemed disinterested. Travis couldn’t blame her and tried to keep the conversation going, but eventually he gave up. Finally, Gavin sat back in his chair and rubbed his stomach. ‘You did good, Travis. I’m too full to move.’
Travis began to clear the table. ‘Do you want another cuppa before you leave?’
Gavin yawned. ‘You woke me up too early. I’m too tired to drive. I’ll go tomorrow.’
‘Good. You can help me with the cattle.’ Travis shot a glance at the boys; he hadn’t told them what had happened yet.
‘No. I’m too tired for that, too.’ Gavin stood and headed for the hallway, leaving his plate and cutlery on the table.
Alison pushed her chair back and picked up a couple of plates.
‘Leave that. I’ll do it,’ Travis said.
As he placed the dishes in the sink, he saw a movement at the door. Turning around, he stared at Alison, who was gripping the doorframe, her expression sad. He walked over to her. ‘Al. What is it? Is something wrong?’
‘No.’ She shook her head and blinked, but he could have sworn he saw moisture in her eyes before she did. ‘Nothing. I just came to wipe up for you before I leave.’
‘Leave? You just got here.’ Travis ran both his hands through his hair. ‘Why are you leaving? It’s crazy to come here for an hour and then drive all the way back to Mt Surprise.’
‘I’ll leave Cass here and I’ll go back to Aunty Maureen’s.’
‘Why, what’s wrong?’
‘Cass can sleep in the spare bed in our—your—room.’ She gestured up the hall. ‘There’s not enough room for us here if Gavin’s home, so I’ll go.’
‘No. The boys are in their tents. I’ll change the sheets in their room, so you and Cass don’t have to sleep in the smell of cows and sweaty socks.’
A glimmer of a smile lifted her lips. ‘We should have left our visit until tomorrow.’
‘Look, I know my brother is a pain, but he’ll go. All I’ll have to do is mention work, and he’ll be gone like a shot.’
‘Yes, I noticed that. Still as slack as ever.’
‘He’s got worse. And now he can’t stay away from the coast. I don’t know what the sudden attraction is.’
‘Maybe he’s got himself a girlfriend?’
Travis looked down at her. ‘You know I hadn’t even thought of that. We can only hope.’
‘Hope?’ She moved away from him and picked up a tea towel.
‘It’d be good to see him in a relationship. Might settle him a bit.’
‘You wash, I’ll dry, and then I’ll help you change the sheets. For Cass’s bed.’ As she waited for him to run the water,
she stared out the window. ‘The cattle are looking thin, Travis.’
‘I need to talk to you and the boys later. We’ve had a major setback.’ To his dismay, his voice cracked, and he cleared his throat. ‘It’s been a hard winter. And last summer was dry, too.’
‘What’s happened? Whenever I ask the boys how it’s going up here they always say, “everything’s fine”. I guess you’ve schooled them in that.’
‘I didn’t think you were interested in the place.’
‘Well, I am. We mightn’t be together anymore, but it’s still the boys’ home.’
‘And Cass?’ he said. ‘What about Cass? It’s her home too.’
He glanced at her and her cheeks were tinged with colour. ‘Cass is too little to remember living here.’
Travis bit his lip to stop the angry words. He took a steadying breath. ‘It’s her home too, Alison.’
She nodded but didn’t speak again as she reached for the next plate.
Once the dishes were done and the beds changed, Alison called to Cassie. ‘Come on, munchkin. We’re going to go for a little drive. We’ll go and find Bluey before I leave.’
‘Want the cows.’ Cass’s bottom lip trembled as she ran over to Travis and clung to his leg.
‘You can go to the yards, but you’ve got to stay with Dadda and do what he says. Okay?’
‘Mummy, too.’
‘Yes.’ Travis frowned. ‘Come over to the yards with us for a while. I could do with an extra hand on the gate today.’
‘All right.’ Alison’s voice was cold. ‘But I’m still going back to Mt Surprise later.’
She hadn’t even asked again what the setback was.
* * *
As she started the car, Emlyn patted her pocket to make sure she had the details of the store. If she got to the house early, there was a better chance of catching Travis before he went out to the cattle.
Emlyn pulled up outside the dilapidated old house, surprised to see a couple of one-man tents near the side fence. She climbed out of the car just as Joel stood up beside the one closest to the gate. He smiled as she approached.
‘I’m sorry, did I wake you up?’ she asked.
‘No, we’ve been up for ages and had breakfast. I was just zipping up the tent to keep the snakes out. Dad needs us to help over at the yards.’ His tanned face flushed. ‘We must look like little kids having a sleep-out. We used to sleep out here a lot when we were little. But Mum and Cassie are here and they’re going to sleep in our room for a couple of nights.’ He nodded at the small red sedan parked near the house.