"You'll have quite a stubble, too but I think we'll keep you around," Lavina said
"Thanks." Steve grabbed her and rubbed his rough chin over her face before kissing her firmly on the lips.
"Steve!" Lavina protested. "Cathy's here."
"She slipped off for the call of nature." He laughed and kissed Lavina again.
This time she responded with a passion he was starting to know so well. "But that's all tonight, young man," she retorted. "Understand?"
"Yes, my dear," he answered.
"Steve"
"Yes?"
"What are our chances?" Lavina's voice grew serious.
"If you'd asked me just after you woke up I wouldn't have been very hopeful but I now think there is a very good chance. We have a stream to follow, are out of the exposed tussock and have food."
Lavina nodded. "I love you, Steve," she added quietly and stood up. "You are the best thing that has happened to me in years."
"Funny," he replied. "I was thinking almost the same thing. You're the best thing for me, too. When you're near me I feel complete. Perhaps fate has played a hand."
"Even after this?"
"Yes." He held her close and gently squeezed her breasts through her clothes as they kissed again...a long kiss of love and thoughts of things to come.
*
On Steve's insistence, Lavina and Cathy crawled in the sleeping bag together and he zipped it up. Afterwards, he covered himself with as many items as possible and lay down beside them in the darkness. It was cold and uncomfortable but not enough so as to be dangerous to their health. At one point, Steve was so stiff he crawled outside and forced himself to run in place for several moments. He felt ridiculous but knew it would be foolish to try to run or even walk around in the pitch darkness. Finally, puffed but with the circulation restored, he crawled in beside his companions and lay down. A warm hand reached out and squeezed his and Lavina bent across in the darkness to kiss him.
It was light when Steve woke to find a warm mug of instant coffee placed in his hand.
"Men," snorted Cathy. "Always expecting to be looked after."
Steve sat up, took the mug and smiled at the girl. She was already dressed and looked fresh and chirpy. "Thanks, Cathy. Sleep well?"
"Once you and Mum shut up," Cathy said. "Then Mum rolled over and squashed me." She smiled. "If anything I was too hot."
"Breakfast!" Lavina called out. "The choice of hot porridge or water. Take your pick."
Steve crawled out and saw Lavina also dressed in clean clothes and looking as fresh as her daughter. "You look beautiful," he whispered when she glanced back.
"You don't," she retorted. "You need a shave."
"Yeah," he grunted and ran a hand over his stubble. "That's something I can't do much about, I guess."
After breakfast, Steve suggested he go back up to the edge of the bush and walk along in an attempt to find any road or track but Lavina objected. "No," she said in a determined voice. "Wherever we go, we go together. I am not going to risk losing you."
"I agree with Mum," Cathy added.
"Okay," Steve responded. "I think we need to decide what to do, then. Shall we follow the stream down or go back up to the tussock and follow the perimeter around in the hope of finding a track?"
"It's quite a way up back up through those bushes and there is no guarantee there is a track," Lavina said.
"And if there is one it may cross the stream anyhow," Cathy said. "I think we should follow the stream."
"Okay," Steve said. "We'd better be going soon, though and, Cathy you make sure your feet are re-bandaged."
"Sure Steve." She grinned. "Will you do it for me?"
Steve smiled and crouched down in front of her. He gently removed the bandage and inspected her toes that were still swollen and tender. “They're looking a little better,” he lied. Pouring some warm water left over from breakfast in a small basin, he dabbed her toes clean, applied more cream and some fresh bandages.
"They went a bit numb when you warmed them and are pretty sore," Cathy admitted. "Especially the left one."
Lavina frowned as she packed their gear. "I think you've got a fan for life," she whispered when Cathy was out of earshot. "If I had offered to wrap her feet she'd have snapped my head off."
Steve grinned. "We're a family," he said. "Steve Garnet's instant family; what more could I ask for?"
"A quick trip out of here for one," Lavina replied. "Second..."
"Okay," Steve interrupted. He gave her a playful slap on the bottom and began to pull down the tent. The other two joined in and within ten minutes, they were on their way following the tiny stream down a valley between steep bush covered slopes. The cold air grew warmer as the sun rose and the dripping foliage dried out while, in some sections, sunlight filtered through the overhead trees.
The groundcover, consisting of ferns, rocks and coarse grass was quite easy underfoot but Steve had to constantly bend his head beneath low branches while Cathy made a habit of tripping over vines that hung everywhere. The stream became wider and steeper with numerous little rapids and waterfalls but there were always rocks beside it to use as stepping-stones. By eleven, the three were hot and tired. Cathy had begun to limp a little and Steve offered to examine her toes again.
"I think your shoes are a little narrow and are pushing your little toe in," he said after she peeled off a sock.
"At least they aren't sore today," Cathy replied. She slipped her footwear back on and jumped up. "Come on, you guys. We'd better be going."
With regained enthusiasm, she clambered to a lower rock and made her way further down.
"Don't get out of sight," Lavina called as she made her way more sedately down the rocks.
*
The stream was now a shallow width of water running between massive rocks piled on each other like a giant's stepping-stones. Small branches were often caught between the rocks and necessitated climbing over, around or under in order to proceed. On each side was a short grass area before fernery and larger trees grew on steep banks towering above the three trampers. It was like walking along the base of the letter 'V'.
"Come on!" yelled Cathy. She was still in front and her nimble frame found the going easier than the two adults behind her. She leaped down one more rock and stopped.
The stream had gone! In front was nothing but the sky above a hillside of thick bush across another steep valley. Cathy stepped forward for a better view when a small rock beneath the foot she'd just transferred her weight to, moved.
She screamed and attempted to throw her weight backwards. Partially successful, she landed on her buttocks and skidded downwards. Desperate arms swung out, grabbed an overhanging branch and held on.
Cathy stared down and gasped. The stream had become a waterfall. There was nothing below except a small sloping ledge and a vertical plunge into the depths below.
"Help me!" she screamed as her arms began to ache and the grip on the branch slipped. She skidded three meters downwards over vegetation. With a rush of tumbling stones that bounced forward into the void she was propelled sideways and managed to land across a tree trunk that stuck out from the bank. She gasped and grabbed a branch above her with both hands. Her forward momentum was stopped but she found herself suspended above a waterfall.
*
As soon as he heard Cathy scream, Steve rushed forward. In three almighty bounds, he was at the position where she had slipped and saw her head disappear below as screams rent the air.
"Oh my God!" Lavina gasped from behind.
Steve looked at his partner's drained face. "It's okay," he said. "She's landed on a tree branch."
He slipped his backpack off, handed it back to Lavina and studied the immediate surrounds.
"Steve!" screamed Cathy.
"Don't move," Steve called. "Hang on and look up at your mum or myself. I'll come and get you.”
"You can't," screamed the petrified girl. 'There's no room."
"Hang in there,”
Steve forced his voice to be calm. "You're quite safe. That tree you're on is secure and will hold your weight. Don't look down, understand?"
Wide eyes fixed on him. "Yes Steve." The voice was a little calmer. "My arms are aching.
"Okay, slide your left hand along near your right one. Them move yourself forward towards the bank."
Cathy looked terrified but managed to slide herself forward along the branch that she sat on.
"I'm near the bank but there's nowhere to go," she sobbed.
"Take a big breath, count to three and slowly let the air out. Do this four times, okay?"
He watched as the youngster sucked air in, held it and blew out. This had a calming effect and her shaking body returned to normal.
"Steve!" Lavina gasped and he looked up. Her face portrayed an inner turmoil almost as frantic as her daughter's.
"Stay here," Steve coached. "It's actually not too steep. I'll go down and help Cathy up. When I do, I want you to make sure you're secure so can help when she climbs back up."
Lavina nodded and edged closer as Steve turned and let himself down. "Tell me when my feet are inside where the tree grows out of the bank," he called down to Cathy.
"A bit further to the left, Steve... it's hidden by leaves... Good, now if you hang on that branch by your knee you can swing down to my tree..."
It was only when he arrived near her, that Cathy lost her nerve.
" I can't move," she cried. "If I let go..."
"Yes you can," Steve said. "It's only a meter or so. Just repeat what you did before and slide forward."
He stretched out until his hand reached her closest one. She stared at him, let the branch she was holding go with one hand and almost lost her balance.
"Steve!"
He grabbed her hand and pulled her in. She was dead weight and her hand slippery but he couldn't let go. With one arm wedged around the tree he was secure but Cathy was still suspended above the sheer drop.
"I've got you," Steve gasped. "Grab my arm with your other hand and slide in."
"I can't!"
"Do it!"
Cathy stared at him, swallowed and sort of launched herself forward with a plaintiff cry. She flung her arms around his neck and was, for a second, hanging over empty space with her legs dangling beside the branch.
Steve swung his free arm around and gripped her waist. She was slipping!
"Reach out with your feet. The branch is there," he gasped. "It will take your weight."
Cathy held him so tightly he almost choked but she managed to get one foot to the branch. It took her weight and Steve pulled her in.
"We're fine," he said after he made sure they were both secure. "The climb back up is no more difficult than those we've tackled all day. I'll be behind you and your mum is at the top."
"I can't, Steve! I'm scared!"
Steve could feel the youngster shaking in his arms and see her wide eyes and blood drained face staring at him.
"Of course you're scared," he replied in a quiet voice. "Only a fool wouldn't be. Just pretend you're back up on the trail and don't look down. If you slip, I'll catch you. Okay?"
"I'll try."
Steve glanced up to where Lavina was firmly wedged behind a rock and reaching down. "Come on, sweetheart," she encouraged. "My hand is only a couple of meters above you."
"Oh, Mum!" Cathy cried.
Steve held her waist and gave the surprisingly heavy girl a shove up. She placed one foot behind another small tree trunk, used Steve's cupped hand as a support, and then his shoulder. She glanced down and froze.
"Steve!" she screamed.
"It's okay," he said, moving up behind. He grabbed a dangling foot and guided it over to the higher branch. "Put your weight on that foot, Cathy then pull yourself up to that rocky bit. Once you get your left foot wedged in there, you'll be able to reach your mum's hand."
Cathy's chin was shaking so hard she could barely speak. Her foot reached the rock wedge but there was not enough momentum for her body to follow. Her balance was almost lost and she uttered a terrified scream.
Steve grabbed her buttocks and heaved her up. Cathy reached out with her arms, found a clump of grass and pulled. Her second leg reached the wedge behind the tree branch and she pulled herself into the cliff. Perspiration rolled down her neck and body but she was secure.
"Marvellous!" Steve said. "You're half way. Now use the rocks as stepping stones."
"There's nothing to hold on to!" Cathy whimpered.
"Stop and take those big breaths like you did earlier," Steve called. "Take four of them."
Cathy could be seen holding her breath, mentally counting and breathing out and it seemed to work. Then she reached out, found a handhold, stepped up and grabbed her mother's hand.
"I've got you, sweetheart," Lavina called out.
Cathy fixed her eyes on her mother and continued up until finally she was in her mother's arms half laughing and half crying.
Steve clamoured up and, within a minute, was in a massive bear hug with both Lavina and Cathy. The emergency was over.
"What now?" Lavina asked after they'd moved away from the cliff edge.
"We go back," Steve replied. "The cliff goes in each direction as far as I could see. There's no way down."
He expected a retort but Lavina and Cathy both nodded in agreement and hitched the backpacks on.
*
By mid afternoon they were back to the same place they set off from that morning and could even see the flattened grass where the tent had been pitched earlier.
"Just like home." Lavina sighed and sat down.
"I'll pitch the tent and then I'll go back to the top. You two stay here." He smiled at Lavina's concerned face. "No, Cathy's exhausted and so are you. There are a couple of hours of light. I promise I'll mark my way so I won't get lost. See you about five."
"Okay, Steve." Lavina kissed him. Cathy jumped up and flung her arms around his neck and kissed him too.
"You know Steve," she laughed. "You should grow a beard. I reckon you'd be cool with a beard."
"I just might." Steve grinned, winked at Lavina and headed up to the tussock.
*
A few moments later, Cathy was sitting up in the sleeping bag both her arms tucked around her knees and looking her old self again. "Mum, when we get out of here can we move in with Steve?"
Lavina sat down beside her daughter. "That's really up to him, isn't it?" she whispered.
"I guess but he needs a shove now and then." She grinned. "Like when I got him to call you."
Lavina gave a slight grin. "Have you a special reason or is it because you like him?"
"Both," Cathy replied. "I haven't said anything but..."
"Go on."
"I want to leave my school." Cathy gulped. "If you don't suck up to the older girls they treat you like hell. I refuse to suck up to anyone."
"Cathy," Lavina snapped. "Don't use that word."
"But it's true Mum. If you lived with Steve, I could go to one of the ordinary schools. It'll save you a fortune in fees, too."
"I thought you liked Emerson Heights Middle School."
"The school itself is fine but I can't stick the boarding. You can't say I haven't tried. This is my second year there."
"Okay." Lavina smiled. "Let's get out of here first. After that, we have lots of decisions to make. One thing I promise, though..."
"What's that Mum?"
"Whatever we decide it will be what's best for both of us. Is that fair?"
"No!" Cathy replied. "The three of us. We should include Steve, now."
Lavina gazed at her daughter's earnest eyes and decided Cathy wasn't just being light-hearted. If nothing else, the enforced trip into the bush had helped the two of them grow closer together.
"The three of us sounds great by me," she whispered and stared out at the trees.
Somehow, the situation they were in didn't seem quite the tragedy it appeared at first or could have been only a few hours earlier. She
smiled at her daughter and went to see what she could cook for them all; something warm, Steve would be frozen on his return.
"I'll help." Cathy appeared beside her mother. " I'm feeling fine now. We'll need to add a tablet to another pot of drinking water."
She picked up the little pot and headed down to the stream.
*
CHAPTER 6
Steve was about to give up and return to camp when he spied what looked like a break in the shrubbery at the edge of the tussock. His watch showed it was twenty to five and sunset was only a little over an hour away.
"Okay buddy," he muttered to himself. "I'll check here then head back."
The tussock plateau was like a lake in the centre of the shrubbery, an elongated ellipse where the conditions were too severe for shrubs to grow. In his own estimation, Steve reckoned he had walked around south of the tussock and was now east of the camp. In theory, therefore, he could return across the centre so the journey back would be shorter.
He pulled his collar up against the inevitable icy wind and lengthened his stride. It definitely looked promising. Grass rather than tussock grew and appeared to continue downhill. Steve walked further in and breathed a sigh of relief.
In front was a rotting wooden sign. One side had become disconnected from the post it had been bolted to, so it hung down lopsided but the words were readable.
Stainer's Track. Top Ridge Hut, 4 Hours.
An arrow pointed downhill. Steve moved in closer and saw a small square of orange reflectorised metal. He knew there was usually a marker placed within vision of the one before it. He glanced ahead. The shrubbery was growing in and weeds and grass covered the area but another tiny orange marker was nailed to a tree trunk ahead. He walked to it, stood and looked around. Yes! There was a third nailed to a large tree at the beginning of the bush itself.
Satisfied, he walked back and tied a large strip of material from the singlet he'd been marking the route with, around a tall shrub and gazed across the tussock. Clouds sweeping across the plateau were becoming thicker. They could descend within moments so he decided to return the way he came around the perimeter of the tussock rather than attempt to walk across the centre. With luck, he would still be back before nightfall and he had the torch if it was needed. Steve stepped forward with a renewed optimism and began whistling softly to himself as he headed back.
Like Twigs in a Storm Page 5