Undara

by Annie Seaton

  She couldn’t help herself as she reached out and put her hand on his. ‘It’s okay, Travis. I get what you’re trying to tell me. Now how can I help?’ Her hand stayed where it was.

  ‘I think Joel’s already told you that he wants to go to university.’

  She nodded. ‘Yes, he has. He’s very interested in the history of your station.’

  ‘No matter what his mother said the other day, I’m grateful for that. It must be a genetic thing. I’ve always been very interested in the history of our place.’

  ‘So, what’s the problem?’ She raised her eyebrows, and he held her gaze.

  ‘The bottom line is that the property is struggling financially. And we’ve had a run of bad luck lately with the cattle dying and some machinery damaged. Remember when we were filling up your Troopie, I noticed the backhoe was missing? Looks like the young casual stockman I’d hired was buggering around with it and put it into a gully.’

  ‘Did he own up?’

  ‘No, he denied it, but Gavin saw him take it out of the shed.’ Travis moved away and folded his arms. ‘So now it’s down to Bluey and me and the boys while they’re home.’

  ‘Tough times,’ Emlyn commented.

  ‘Yep. It’s put an even bigger financial burden on the place. Joel wants to study history, but I’ll find the money to support him somehow. The cattle will keep the property going, but there’s not a lot left over.’

  ‘I guess you pay support for your kids, too?’ she asked.

  He ran his hand through his hair. ‘Yes, I do, but I don’t resent that. I’m sorry, Emlyn. I didn’t mean for our conversation to get so intense. You don’t need to hear my problems. I know you haven’t been in the tubes yet, but do you think there’s any chance of the university continuing past the three months we agreed on?’

  Emlyn hesitated and thought quickly before she answered. ‘I can’t promise because it’s all dependent on funding, but if we find something …’

  Travis dropped his head and moved his hand away from hers. ‘I’ll have no choice. Alison told me some home truths and I have to listen. It’s time to move on. I guess I was always hoping they’d come home, but that’s not going to happen. So I need to do something about Gavin to get him to pull his weight. I need to get some money together to send Joel to university. I’m pretty sure Jase will stay here and work on the place, but I’ve still got to support Cass. So, if you have any other ideas that you think the university might be interested in, I’m open to them.’

  ‘Leave it with me. I’m sure we can come up with something.’ She tipped her head to the side. ‘Have you ever considered doing something in the tourist area like Undara? Or maybe some farm stays in the dongas when we finish. Or school camps?’

  He shook his head. ‘I’ve looked into camps before; the return isn’t worth the effort I’d have to put in. Not to mention insurance and wages and everything that goes with a venture like that. Maybe I need to go over to the tourist thing at Undara and talk to them. See if they want to extend their operation. Maybe I could offer some more accommodation and combine it with farm stays. If I could get some sponsorship it might be viable. Who knows? It’s all too hard and that’s where I’ve put it over the past few years, but it’s time to start thinking outside my boring square.’ He stood and smiled down at her. ‘Emlyn, thanks so much for your time. I really appreciate it, and if there’s anything else that you can think of, please run it by me. I’d love to talk to you some more.’

  Emlyn glanced at her watch. ‘I really do hope that I can help you, Travis. It’s time I got going. I’ll put my thinking cap on today, and I’ll talk to John, too. He’s been around for a long time. I’ll see what we can come up with. I’m sure that we’re going to find something in the tubes, and this is going to be the beginning of something big. I’ll bet other researchers will be interested in joining us. You have no idea what an exciting precipice we are on, in terms of new discoveries.’

  ‘I hope you’re right.’ He held the door open, but Emlyn looked at him as her nerves kicked in.

  ‘What about the dog?’

  ‘Hang on. Wait here. I’ll go and put him in the pen.’

  ‘Thank you. I’m sorry I’m such a coward.’

  ‘It’s okay, we can’t have you scared.’

  As Emlyn walked past the house to her Toyota, the front door opened and Gavin stood on the top step. He looked down shyly at first, but then he turned a full smile on her.

  ‘Hello. You’re out and about early this morning, insect lady.’

  Emlyn smiled back. ‘I am.’

  ‘You coming out to help me with the cattle today, Gav?’

  ‘If you really need me, I suppose I can.’

  ‘Good. I’ll appreciate the help,’ Travis replied with a nod.

  ‘But only today and then I’ll go to Townsville tomorrow. I’ve got a competition at my rifle club.’

  Travis raised his eyebrows. ‘Nice to have a hobby and time to enjoy it.’ He turned back to Emlyn. ‘Thanks for the discussion. You’ve given me some hope.’

  Travis smiled at her. The perpetual weariness that was ingrained into his expression lifted. ‘I hope you have a good day today. I’ll call over and see you in a couple of days, and if you have any more problems with that internet connection come on over or give us a call. Have a good one, Emlyn, and thanks again.’

  Emlyn climbed up into the vehicle and drove off slowly. When she glanced back into the rear-vision mirror, the two brothers were standing together watching her drive away. Travis had his hand on Gavin’s shoulder, and she realised that his brother was just one more responsibility for the cattleman.

  CHAPTER

  13

  Emlyn parked the van outside the main workroom and headed to her donga to get ready for the first day in the tubes. Contentment filled her as she focused on the prospect of the research ahead. After a quick wash and collecting a light jacket—it could be cool underground—she closed the door behind her. It was close to nine, so there wasn’t enough time to go to the workroom to write the email she’d planned to send. She would email David later to tell him that the team had arrived and there was no need to check on her again.

  The ice around her heart was not going to crack, no matter how many times he chipped at it by revisiting memories. If anything, it would harden her more. But strangely, since Travis had held her, the anxiety that was always a part of her had receded slightly, and the anticipation of what they were going find today added to her new calm.

  It wasn’t what she’d call happiness—that was something she no longer expected—but a sort of acceptance had settled within her. Whatever it was, she was feeling pretty normal for a change.

  Larry and Bill had already loaded the photographic gear into the Troop Carrier, and, except for John, the others were waiting beside the vehicle outside the main building. Even after her cool wash, perspiration trickled down Emlyn’s neck; the heat was building as the sun rose higher in a cloudless sky. As she walked across to join them, Lucy’s laugh was followed by Greg’s deep rumble.

  ‘Worst punchline I’ve ever heard, Larry,’ Greg said. Coffee—and a restored internet connection—seemed to have had a miraculous effect on Larry’s mood.

  ‘Sorry. Are you waiting for me?’ Emlyn asked as she stowed her pack and jacket in the back of the vehicle.

  ‘No, we’ve had a bit of a delay,’ Bill explained. ‘The Troopie had two flat tyres. We’ve only just changed them. I’ll have to find out where the closest place is to get them fixed. It’s left us without a spare.’

  ‘Two flats?’ Emlyn frowned. ‘I hadn’t noticed them. It must have been the ruts on that back road when I went out to open the gate for the truck.’

  Bill lowered his voice. ‘No, they both had a slow leak. There was a pebble in two of the valves.’

  Emlyn screwed up her nose. ‘How would a pebble get in two valves? From the dirt road?’

  Bill shook his head. ‘No. Someone’s put them there to cause a slow leak.’
<
br />   ‘Who on earth would do that?’

  Bill shrugged. ‘They could have been there for a few days. School holidays. Kids skylarking around somewhere you might have stopped on the way.’

  ‘I didn’t stop anywhere. I picked up the car in Townsville and drove straight to the station. Plus I’ve been here for a few days. They’ve been perfectly fine.’

  Bill scratched his head. ‘Well, it’s a bit of a mystery, then.’

  ‘Thanks for the mercy trip to save my sanity, Emlyn.’ Larry directed a smile her way as he walked down the steps of his donga. ‘The internet is whizzing along like a dream.’

  She nodded in acknowledgement.

  The screen door banged, and their team leader hurried down the steps, pulling his cap over his fair and freckled forehead. For an almost sixty-year-old, John Kearns was slim and fit. Emlyn knew that he preferred to be out in the field than lecturing at the university. He leaned over and kissed his wife’s cheek.

  ‘Have a good day, Meg, and wish us a productive one.’

  ‘We will,’ Meg said. ‘Lucy’s going to keep me company while I take a bit of a drive down to the road at the back of the station.’

  Emlyn glanced across at the van they’d driven up from the university. ‘If you take the road to the west, be careful, Meg. The road is really bad. You won’t make it in the van.’

  ‘Thanks. We’ll take care.’

  As Bill climbed into the driver’s seat, Larry and Greg sat in the back of the Troop Carrier.

  John gestured to the front. ‘Emlyn, you sit up front. You can tell Bill which way to go.’

  Once she’d given Bill directions to the paddock that led to the bottom of the hill she’d climbed with Travis and the boys, Emlyn sat back and watched the bush flash past.

  ‘You seem quite chirpy today, love.’ Bill grinned at her. ‘As noisy as ever. Fair giving me a headache with all that chatter.’

  ‘I’m pleased to be finally getting to work,’ she said quietly.

  ‘Once I get you all sorted up here and help you get the gear underground, I’m gonna go back and cook up a nice feed for tonight. You did a good job getting the place ready for us, Emlyn. Is there anything else that needs doing?’

  She shook her head. ‘No, it’s all done, but thanks, Bill. It’s nice to have you all here and it’ll be good to have our meals cooked.’

  ‘Okay, tell me your favourite.’

  Emlyn had a smile for him when she replied. ‘Would you believe curried sausages? Mum used to cook it for my birthday dinner when I was growing up. I haven’t had them for years.’

  ‘Well, as long as there’s some good old curry powder in the stores, I can come up with that for you.’

  Again, that feeling of contentment spiked. ‘Thank you.’

  The glade at the top of the hill was as enticing in the daylight as it had been at dusk. When they stepped into the cool, green space and looked down the rock fall to the first tube, anticipation curled in Emlyn’s stomach and Larry whistled.

  ‘I’m pleased I brought the extra lights,’ he said as he peered down into the dim cavern. ‘We’ll certainly need them.’

  Once he’d helped them carry the equipment and photographic gear up the hill from the vehicle, Bill turned to John. ‘What time do you want me back to pick you up? There doesn’t seem to be much phone service up here.’

  ‘And there won’t be any down there.’ John looked at his watch. ‘Say around five? It depends how much gear we have to bring back out.’

  ‘I’m not leaving any of my equipment down there at night.’ Larry shook his head. ‘Worth too much.’

  ‘Okay. Maybe around four, then,’ John replied.

  Bill nodded. ‘Have a good day, everyone,’ he called as he disappeared through the curtain of greenery.

  Emlyn slipped the headband with the LED light over her head and adjusted it so that it wasn’t catching her hair at the front. She winced as a nerve twitched in the still-tender new skin from her last graft.

  ‘We all set?’ John asked, looking at the three of them.

  Larry decided to leave the bulk of the cameras and lights in the glade before they went down for a look. Greg was the first to negotiate the rocks as John hammered a metal post into the soft earth at the edge of the glade. He looped a rope around it and threw the other end down to Greg where he would secure a post at the bottom. The plan was to install a rope so that they could climb up and down the rocks more easily.

  The posts were secured, the rope stretched tight, and soon the four of them were standing on the fine dust in the cavern at the base of the rocks.

  ‘Oh wow.’ Larry’s voice was hushed.

  Emlyn smiled as his reaction mirrored her response of the other night. ‘It’s pretty amazing, isn’t it,’ she said.

  John nodded. ‘I’ve been in the tubes in Hawaii, but this is very different. The geology of these is unique. These were formed by the draining of roofed lava channels.’ He pointed to the dark end of the cavern. ‘For the first hour or so today, I want to get a feel for the caves before we start marking out the grids we’ll work in this main tube. From the map, I think this is the main tunnel that heads west. We really don’t know what we’re going to find today or how far we can go in. Or how deep the lava flows were this far out from the main Undara tubes.’

  ‘It’s going to be pretty easy to walk through if it’s all like this.’ Larry gestured to the flat, silted floor.

  ‘It’ll get much harder than this, Larry. Where we are now, we’re standing on sediment deposit from years of water flowing through. Once we get deeper I expect we’ll see the ropy lava, and there may be distinct marginal channels up to a metre deep.’

  ‘But what about the air? Are you going to test this cave?’ Larry looked around.

  ‘This one is fine,’ Greg replied. ‘You can see another opening across there. Another cave in on the south side, so there’s good air flow.’

  ‘Okay.’ Larry lifted his camera and took some shots of the ceiling. Reds, ochre and almost black stripes formed a continuous pattern as far as they could see in the dim light.

  ‘John. I’m in two minds about working close to the entrance at all.’ Greg pointed his torch in the opposite direction. ‘I think this first cave has probably been compromised with the number of people in here over the years.’

  Emlyn shook her head. ‘I don’t really think there has been much activity down here to be honest, Greg. Talking to Travis, I think it’s pretty much only the family that has been in here and that wouldn’t be very often.’

  John nodded. ‘I can see both points of view, but I think that the focus of our attention is down in this main tube. The Germans took a minor collection of fauna from the beginning of that one’—he pointed west—‘but the main thing I took from reading their work was their observations of the composition of the gas in the deeper cave. They didn’t collect any specimens from that far in. Once we get past where the German team collected some specimens here, we’re in unexplored territory.’

  Emlyn smiled at the eagerness in John’s voice, and it added to hers.

  ‘Will any of this impact on me photographing the site or the insects you might find?’ Emlyn was surprised to hear impatience in Larry’s voice. He’d come highly recommended; surely, he understood the pace they’d be working at? And the care they’d take to make sure this study was valid. She hoped she hadn’t made a mistake in recommending him for the contract. His references had been excellent, and he’d interviewed well over a Skype meeting. But you never knew what a person was really like until you worked with them.

  ‘My primary concern is our safety. We’ll stay in pairs the whole time. It would be easy to get lost down here,’ John said.

  ‘Come on.’ Greg took a step forwards. ‘The only way to decide about where we’ll focus on our collecting, is to go and have a look.’

  ‘Yes, let’s go. And, Larry to answer your question,’ John said, ‘as we go in, you’ll see the conditions of the tubes. Once we select the be
st site for looking for specimens, we’ll plot some observation points and set up our grid today. If you could keep the flash as low as possible to start with but get some shots of each section of the tube as we make our way along, that would be great.’

  Emlyn moved slowly towards the dark tunnel ahead, the light from her headpiece creating macabre shadows on the variegated walls.

  ‘Are you happy with the plan so far, Emlyn?’ John asked as he caught up with her.

  ‘We’re in your hands, John, you’ve done this before. This is pretty new to me, but it’s thrilling, and I’m happy to go with what you decide.’

  Emlyn blinked as a camera flash went off and bright light blinded her for a few seconds. When her eyes adjusted again, Larry was standing in front of them and grinning. He must have slipped past them in the dark and caught the three of them front on.

  ‘That’s a shot I had to get,’ he said. ‘You should see the enthusiasm on your faces. Reminded me of the blokes when I got to base camp last month.’ He laughed. ‘Talk about one extreme to the other. From the top of the world to the bottom. I feel like I’m in that Jules Verne movie.’

  Emlyn grimaced. Even though she couldn’t see John’s expression, his displeasure was evident in his body language. The team meeting when they got back tonight was going to be interesting. She put her head down and followed them into the dark tube ahead.

  They’d walked less than fifty metres when an unearthly scream came from behind them. Emlyn and John turned swiftly and the light from their LED headlamps lit the space behind them. The red stripes on the walls were broken by the small black dots where the bats clung to the sheer rock face.

  ‘Oh Jesus God, get them away from me.’ Larry’s expression was almost grotesque in the flickering light. He flailed his arms and backed away from the pile of rocks in front of him.

  Greg ran back and stopped when he reached the photographer.

  ‘Jesus fucking Christ. You didn’t tell me what this place was like.’ Larry’s voice echoed around the chamber.

  ‘What is it?’ John asked as he and Emlyn hurried back to join them.