Undara

by Annie Seaton

  Greg ran his test quickly and their suspicions were confirmed. They made their way back to Larry, and soon each of them had donned a small oxygen bottle and mask. Greg went ahead to test the air further into the tube.

  ‘Abnormally high, about fifty metres in,’ Greg said as he walked back to where they were waiting. ‘I think if we start work here and call a halt where the tube turns, we’ll be fine.’

  ‘You only think?’ Larry shook his head, his eyes wide in the shadowed light.

  ‘Sorry,’ Greg said with a smile. ‘Poor choice of words. We’ll be right.’

  Larry followed with the camera as the other three worked quietly and systematically through the fine silt and the overlapping tree roots.

  The only sound was the occasional grunt of satisfaction as Larry was called over, or as a specimen was carefully bagged. Emlyn worked near the thick deposits of bat guano and her gloves were soon filthy. Her mood was euphoric as she bagged specimen after specimen, and noted down the grid that she was working in. Long-legged spiders, cockroaches, a white scorpion and several beetles that were unlike anything she’d ever seen before.

  Emlyn moved further ahead and focused intently on her collection. She’d gathered more specimens in two hours than in the past three weeks. What a lot of time they’d wasted over in the big cave. She reached for her water bottle. Her lips were dry and there was a foul taste in her mouth.

  ‘Em?’

  She looked up and the darkness deepened as David stepped from behind a thick tangle of tree roots.

  ‘I’ve sold the house, Em.’

  Her last thought before she passed out was that she’d gone all morning without thinking about David and now he’d interrupted her work.

  CHAPTER

  18

  He sat at the corner table and watched the waitress take drinks to punters. He was here to have a good time, but he was short on cash tonight. After a while he got sick of paying top dollar for his drinks in the front bar so he wandered to the dark and dingy back bar and sat in the corner and checked out the action. This part of the pub was crammed with backpackers.

  The smell of stale beer and sweaty bodies filled the air and he sat back as his gaze settled on a group of female backpackers at a table near the bar. He ordered another beer and took it back to the table as an idea came to him.

  Easy money, there for the taking. The group of women had been calling out and yelling, trying to catch the notice of anyone who would pay them some attention.

  All bar one.

  He caught the eye of the young girl as he walked past to get another beer. She was quiet and obviously not a close part of the group. Redheaded and freckled and a bit on the scraggy side, but she was sure to have money.

  They wouldn’t even miss her. The next time he went to the bar he walked close to the table and brushed past her. ‘Sorry, love,’ he said with a friendly smile. The bitches with her didn’t even acknowledge him.

  ‘S’okay.’ Her accent was broad northern English, and close up she was even rougher around the edges than he’d first thought.

  Didn’t matter.

  He went back to his stool and smiled to himself when she looked up and caught his eye. When he passed her again, he smiled and satisfaction filled him when she followed him to the counter.

  ‘Can I buy you a drink, sweets?’ he asked.

  ‘That’d be lurvly.’ The broad accent grated on him, but by the time he’d sorted her, she wouldn’t be saying much.

  ‘What’s your poison?’ He grinned down at her.

  ‘Aye, just a beer.’

  He carried the two beers back to his table.

  ‘I’ll just get my pack,’ she said.

  He took the olive-green pill out of his pocket and slipped it into her beer. It had dissolved completely before she came back.

  ‘Local?’ he asked.

  ‘No, I’ve been down at Bowen picking veggies with that lot.’ Her face fell. ‘We just got paid, and they’re heading to Cairns tomorrow, out to the reef, but I have to go back to work. I can’t afford it yet. Got a bit more to save up yet.’ Her voice was sharp. ‘They’re all rich bitches on their uni break. Not a worker like me.’

  ‘You got somewhere to stay tonight?’ He’d almost licked his lips as she’d carried a huge backpack across with her. It would be easier than the last few times. He’d slipped up badly last visit; that robbery had even made the papers.

  ‘Not yet. Why? You offerin’?’

  ‘Finish your drink and I’ll show you my place.’

  She held his eye as she sculled her drink. ‘What’s yer name?’ Her eyes were already getting cloudy. ‘I’m Sarah.’

  ‘Lovely to meet you, Sarah.’

  * * *

  Luckily when he’d been looking for a car park, he’d got the corner space in one across the paddock from the pub and had reversed his vehicle in. It was the darkest corner, and he’d used it a few times. The girl’s head slumped to the side as he leaned her against the bonnet before he took her backpack around to the back of the ute. He rested it against the fence that divided the car park from the creek, and then he went back to put her in the passenger seat. Even though she was slightly built, Sarah had long legs. By the time he had her in the seat, she was out like a light.

  He slammed the door and went around behind the vehicle again. He opened her backpack and searched through it until he found her purse in the front pocket. He scowled; she hadn’t lied about having to go back to work. Four fifties and a five.

  Bloody hell. Bugger all.

  He took the money and the one credit card out of the pouch, as well as a handful of gold coins. After glancing at the family photo in the plastic square, he threw the purse into the creek. He dug deeper into the backpack and smiled when his fingers reached another plastic wallet. Headlights swept the paddock, and he picked up the backpack and leaned down on the ute tray so his face was hidden. Once there was darkness again he unzipped the wallet.

  Jackpot. Her passport and a bundle of fifty-dollar notes in a rubber band.

  ‘Thank you, Sarah,’ he whispered.

  After putting the cash in his pocket, he threw the passport into the creek and carried the backpack to the fence. He walked along it until he reached the skip bin near the road. He looked around, and once he was sure there was no one watching, he lifted the lid and threw her backpack in.

  CHAPTER

  19

  Emlyn was determined to drive to the homestead to tell Travis about their find. The specimens they’d collected today were like gold and were sure to put the seal of approval on the sponsorship application.

  As she sat drinking a cup of tea and eating a muffin Bill insisted on before she left, he hovered around her like a worried parent.

  ‘Bill, for the tenth time, I’m fine.’ Emlyn tried to allay his fear that she was about to pass out any minute.

  ‘I’ll drive you to the homestead. I don’t want you behind a wheel. What if you faint again?’

  Bill had been at the entrance to the cave when they’d climbed out, and had taken one look at her pallor and known that something had happened down there.

  ‘I’m fine, and I won’t pass out again. There’s plenty of oxygen here. And I feel okay. No headache, no after-effects at all. So please, stop worrying.’

  John nodded. ‘She is, Bill. She was only out of it for a few seconds before I noticed that her oxygen bottle was empty and she’d got a big swig of carbon dioxide.’ He looked apologetically at Emlyn. ‘I’m sorry, Emlyn. We were all so engrossed with what was down there, we lost track of the time.’

  ‘You need to be more careful. Bloody insects.’ Bill frowned. ‘It could have been nasty. Life-threatening even.’ He went back into the kitchen, and a minute later there was a loud crash, followed by a shout of, ‘Bloody hell!’

  John and Emlyn hurried in after him and were met by the sight of cooked pasta all over the floor, and a broken dish. Bill was running his hand under the cold water tap and his face was screwed up with pain.


  ‘Oh, Bill, what happened?’ Emlyn hurried over and checked the burn that covered his fingers and palm. ‘John, grab the first-aid kit and I’ll sort him out.’

  When Emlyn left to go to the homestead, Bill was sitting in the mess with a disgusted look on his face, and John and Greg were about to serve up dinner.

  * * *

  Travis was in the kitchen when he heard the knock on the door. Emlyn was standing there, and her eyes were bright and her smile was wide.

  ‘Hi, Travis. I just wanted to let you know we’ve had a really good day today. And that John—’

  Travis frowned at her and glanced across at Gavin as he gestured to the kitchen. He’d come home from the coast this morning in one of his moods. ‘Come into the kitchen, Emlyn. I know Joel wanted to ask you something about coming across to the tubes one day.’

  ‘I’m sorry, I did promise him that he could help, but we’ve been so busy, it totally slipped my mind.’

  Travis held open the kitchen door and turned to Gavin. ‘Dinner’s almost ready.’

  ‘I won’t stay long,’ Emlyn said. ‘Bill’s had a bit of an accident, so I’ll go back and help clean up after dinner.’

  ‘Is he okay?’ Travis closed the door to the kitchen after Emlyn stepped through ahead of him.

  ‘Yes, he’s okay. He burned his hand on some boiling water. He was a bit preoccupied.’

  Travis sensed there was more to it, but he didn’t press her as she greeted the boys.

  ‘Hi, Emlyn, Dad told us all about the tourist-project stuff.’ Joel looked up as he drained a pot in the sink. ‘Cool.’

  ‘Shh,’ Travis said, gesturing to the lounge room with a nod.

  ‘It is cool, but be careful. Don’t you burn yourself, too.’ Emlyn smiled as she watched Joel. Travis was keen to hear what had brought Emlyn over here early. He hadn’t been expecting her till later tonight.

  ‘You’ve found something?’ he asked quietly.

  She nodded. ‘We’ve had an incredible day. And John got an email from the university. We have an appointment next week.’

  ‘Come outside with me.’ Travis held out his hand for hers as he walked to the back door.

  Her eyes were wary, but she did as he said. Her fingers were cold, despite the warmth inside the house. He listened for a moment after he shut the back door. An occasional clatter and laughter came from the kitchen, but he couldn’t hear the television anymore. He led Emlyn down to the small lean-to beneath the verandah.

  ‘We went in a different way, about ten kilometres further west. It was amazing, although we did encounter some bad air briefly.’ Her voice was animated as she outlined the significant finds they’d made in just one day. ‘Some are possible adaptations to some troglobitic species we already know, but there were many we haven’t seen before. Even John was pumped today. He agrees that this will make the application very appealing.’ Travis looked down as Emlyn put her hand on his arm. ‘I’d say that in about eighteen months, the tourist facility and the university research will be in full swing here,’ she said.

  ‘That’s incredible. I’m going to owe you big time if this comes off.’

  She shook her head. ‘Oh, no. It’s just as good for us. It’ll mean that we can spend much longer here, and many research papers will come out of it, too. I’m going to predict that Hidden Valley is going to be as well known a tourist facility as Undara in a few years. It’s also been good for me personally. It will make a huge difference to our work if we get approval, and,’ she dropped her gaze, ‘it’s kept me busy and taken my thoughts away from my personal issues and put a lot of things in perspective for me. I know that your main motivation with this is to do with your family—and your wife—but it’s been a two-way street.’

  Travis looked up as the front door closed quietly above them. A minute later the smell of cigarette smoke drifted down. He pointed up and put his finger to his lips.

  ‘I’ll get going now,’ Emlyn said, nodding her understanding. ‘I’ll just go and tell Joel that he can come out with us one day after I return from Brisbane.’

  The kitchen door was open, and Travis was surprised to see Gavin in the lounge room when they went back inside.

  ‘I thought you went outside to have a smoke,’ Travis said as Emlyn stayed in the kitchen to talk to Joel.

  ‘You deceitful bastard.’ Gavin glared at him. ‘You wonder why I’m not interested in the place. Did you ever think it’s because you don’t include me in any of your plans?’

  Travis stared at Gavin, his surprise deepening; it was unusual for Gavin to lose his temper. ‘I do include you. And I know you care about the place.’

  ‘Bullshit. And when were you going to tell me about this big tourist project you’ve been planning with your girlfriend?’ Gavin’s voice was petulant. ‘I’ve never heard anything so stupid in my life. You think people are really going to pay you to come out here and look at dead insects?’ He laughed and shook his head.

  ‘Keep your voice down, mate.’ Concern filled Travis. This was a side of Gavin that he’d never seen before. ‘It’s not like that. And it’s confidential, Gavin, so don’t go blabbing to anyone about it.’

  ‘I’d be too embarrassed to. I’ve never heard such a stupid idea.’ His face was red as he kept glaring at Travis. ‘You knocked back the offer from the mining company, one that would guarantee big money, and yet you’re happy to ask thousands of strangers to come and traipse all over the place.’ He dropped his gaze and pointed. ‘Are you sure you’re not just thinking with your—’

  ‘That’s enough. I’ll tell you all about the proposal later.’ Travis glanced towards the kitchen.

  ‘Don’t bother. I’m sure you and your new lady have got it all worked out.’ He grabbed the packet of cigarettes from the coffee table and opened the front door again. ‘Does Alison know she’s on the outer?’

  Travis ignored him and walked to the kitchen. ‘You about to head, Emlyn?’

  ‘Yes. I’ve got work to do after I help Bill.’

  ‘Come out the back way. Gavin’s smoking out the front, and he’s got the sulks about not being included in the project.’ He held open the door of the Troopie. ‘So when are you off to Brisbane?’

  ‘Thursday.’

  ‘Next Thursday? So soon?’

  ‘The applications close at the end of the month so we’ve got in by the skin of our teeth in this round of funding.’ She nodded. ‘It’s all happening.’

  ‘How long will you be away?’

  ‘The meeting’s at five o’clock so I’ll fly down that day. Lucy booked my flight this afternoon.’ She smiled. ‘Bill was worried about me driving down and wanted to take me to Townsville, the pet. I told him I was fine and now he’s hurt his hand, he can’t drive anyway. After the meeting, I’ll …’ She hesitated.

  ‘You’ll see your husband?’

  She nodded.

  ‘I’m pleased to hear that.’ Travis shut the door after she’d climbed into the cabin, and he waited until she put down the window. ‘And, Emlyn, thanks again. I can’t wait to hear what they say in Brisbane.’

  As Emlyn drove off, Travis stood and looked out over the property. He’d lost his appetite after Gavin’s serve, so instead of going back inside, he walked down to the back fence, across the paddocks and climbed the small hill that overlooked the site of the old homestead.

  Next Thursday. He couldn’t believe it had been just over a week since Emlyn had come up with the idea, and now she was off to the university with a completed proposal, feasibility study and all the other hoops you had to jump through these days.

  If the application was successful, it would mean big changes for the station. Even though the thought of it might sit uncomfortably with him in some ways, there wouldn’t be thousands of strangers on the place like Gavin had said. The numbers would be controlled. He wouldn’t have to worry about the organisation of it. He wouldn’t have to pay the insurance. If the project attracted sponsorship, it would mean he’d take a share of the proc
eeds, the university could move much more quickly through the tubes and it was a win-win situation. It was time he went to see his accountant; he’d been avoiding that for the last few months because he already knew what he would hear. The place was going broke, and something would have to be done. Gregor, his accountant, told him the same thing every year on the phone, but they managed to stumble through.

  Well, he was taking the first positive steps in that direction. If the sponsorship didn’t come about, he would have to give some consideration to Carroglen. As much as he hated that thought, there weren’t many options left open, but it was all positive.

  Cigarette smoke prickled Travis’s nose and he sighed.

  Shit. He wasn’t in the mood for more Gavin tonight; he couldn’t understand why he’d gone off like that.

  ‘Hey, boss. You’re looking a bit thoughtful there.’

  ‘Gidday, mate.’ Relief flooded through him when he turned around.

  Bluey leaned against the old chimney, the usual cigarette hanging from his lips. The stockman held out the packet of tobacco, but Travis shook his head.

  ‘I gave it away years ago.’

  ‘So you did. I’m getting more forgetful the older I get.’

  ‘What are you doing over this way?’ Travis asked as he leaned against the chimney beside Bluey; it was still warm from the afternoon sun. ‘I haven’t seen you around for a couple of days.’ Bluey lived in a small house about four kilometres back on the Mt Surprise road.

  ‘Just enjoying the night. Last chance to wander around before the rain hits. The place has been busy. The missus still here?’ Bluey reached into this pocket for a paper and began to roll another cigarette.

  Travis shook his head. ‘Alison and Cass went home last week, but the boys are home for a while, and the university people will be here for a few more weeks at least.’

  Bluey’s face darkened. ‘They shouldn’t be down there, you know. Not in the caves. It’s not right.’

  ‘We have to move with the times, Blue,’ Travis said. ‘The longer I’m on this place, the more I’m realising that. Time moves on, things change.’