I am so proud of you and all you have achieved. You are doing so much good and helping so many people. It makes me love you even more, if that’s at all possible.
I wish we could find a way to be with each other and still achieve our dreams. I think about it all the time but I am at a loss to find a solution. I hope we find one soon because I miss you with all my heart.
Forever yours,
Louis
Ellie folded the letter and held it against her chest. Once again, she questioned if her decision to come to Charleville had been the right one.
‘Ellie,’ called Ingrid. ‘I’ve made breakfast.’
‘Thank you.’ Ellie wiped her tears and put the letter in the drawer with all the others then she quickly got dressed and ready for work.
She went out to the kitchen where Ingrid had set out a pot of tea, boiled eggs and toast in a metal holder.
‘How did you sleep?’ Ingrid buttered her toast and took a bite.
‘Not great. My mind wouldn’t rest.’
‘Ah, yes, that happens to me.’ Ingrid poured tea into Ellie’s cup then her own. ‘It must be hard being away from your fiancé.’
‘He’s not my fiancé.’
‘No? Boyfriend?’
‘More than that.’ Ellie laughed. ‘It’s a romance that has been a long time in the making.’
‘Well, I hope living apart doesn’t make it too difficult.’
‘It’s not easy but plenty of couples did it during the war and lots of them are married now.’
‘I love your faith,’ said Ingrid.
‘Do you have a beau?’
‘I used to have a fiancé.’
‘I’m sorry.’
‘It’s all right, some things aren’t meant to be and I’ve come to terms with that. It was never going to work.’ Ingrid got up and cleared her dishes, taking them over to the sink. She washed them with ferocity.
Ellie went over to Ingrid. ‘Are you all right?’
‘I’m fine.’ Her shoulders slumped. ‘I might as well tell you.’ She leaned against the sink. ‘He was an American and we fell madly in love with each other. He proposed before he got shipped out and I was supposed to follow as soon as the US government allowed Australians fiancée visas. We thought we could make it work but …’ She shrugged. ‘Look, don’t let that worry you. At least Louis is in the country—most of the time.’
‘It has crossed my mind,’ said Ellie.
‘What? That being apart from Louis will kill your relationship?’
‘Yes. And you already know what happened with Harry.’ The joy of receiving the letters this morning started to fade.
‘Don’t listen to me,’ said Ingrid. ‘I can see now that we would never have worked even if we were still in the same town. From what you’ve told me, you and Louis have something really special.’
‘I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you,’ said Ellie.
‘What’s meant to be will be.’ Ingrid’s tone suggested this topic was closed for now.
‘So …’ said Ellie. ‘Was there a US base here during the war? Last time I was in Charleville, we saw an American jeep on the outskirts of town.’
The saucer slipped out of Ingrid’s hand and dived into the soapy water. ‘You did?’
‘Yes.’
‘That’s odd.’
‘I thought it was and then you mentioned your American fiancé. I’m just putting two and two together.’
‘Me telling you he was American was a mistake.’ Ingrid frowned. ‘You’re relatively new here and finding your feet. I understand you want to ask questions but please, do not ask anything about Americans being in Charleville during the war.’
It appeared Central Bureau wasn’t the only place clutching secrets from the past.
When Ellie arrived at the base, Russell was preparing the plane for the scheduled flight to Birdsville. Dr Spears was due to arrive at any minute with his files and medicine for the clinic that people would drive hundreds of miles to attend.
The more she learned about the Flying Doctor Service, the more she realised how privileged she was to be involved in this work. When the folk who lived in these remote regions radioed into the Charleville base for medical advice, Dr Spears would answer questions and decide whether it was an emergency or could wait until his next in-person visit. Thankfully, emergency calls were few and far between.
Russell walked into the room, his face pale and sweaty.
‘What’s wrong?’
‘I don’t feel so good.’
Ellie got up and rested the back of her hand on his forehead. ‘You’re boiling. Here, sit and I’ll be back in a minute.’
Russell did as asked and she hurried into the kitchen to get a glass of water and ice. She also grabbed a face washer. When she went back to the radio room, Russell was doubled over, clutching his stomach.
‘It feels like someone’s stabbing me,’ he said between moans.
Ellie tipped ice onto the face washer and placed it on the back of his neck. She offered the glass of water. He took a sip. His body stiffened.
‘I’m going to be sick.’
Ellie ran to the medical supply room and grabbed a bucket, returning just in time. Russell clutched it like his life depended on it.
The radio sputtered into action.
‘Charleville, this is Midlands Station. We have an emergency. Repeat. Emergency. Over.’ The man’s voice was calm but there was an underlying panic he seemed to be fighting.
Ellie jumped up and sat in front of the radio. ‘Midlands Station, this is Flying Doctor Service Charleville Base. What is the nature of your emergency?’
‘Man, late thirties, pinned under tractor. Extreme blood loss. He’s not conscious but is breathing.’
‘What’s the call?’ Dr Spears walked in.
Ellie explained and the doctor got on the radio and gave instructions as to what they needed to do until he arrived. He signed off and looked at Russell, who retched into the bucket.
‘Good god. There is no way he can fly. And Craig is on leave.’
‘What are we going to do?’ she asked.
‘Ingrid can look after Russell, but I have to get to Midlands Station.’
‘Ellie can fly.’ Russell moaned.
Dr Spears stared at her. ‘What?’
‘I’m qualified to fly the plane. I can get you there.’
Dr Spears hesitated but only for a moment. ‘We need to go.’
Ellie soared above the earth, nervous but excited to be back in the air and at the controls. Dr Spears had initially clung to the plane for dear life, but after she’d taken off and they’d climbed skyward, he had finally let his body relax.
‘Are you confident you know where to land?’ Dr Spears asked.
‘Yes, absolutely.’ In the quiet times in the office, Ellie had taken to studying the region the Charleville base covered, and she’d flown over a vast expanse of the area with Mr Donaldson. She understood the topography and the unique regional weather patterns, and knew the obstacles that could hinder a safe landing.
She spotted the windsock and adjusted her approach accordingly. The runway was narrower than she was used to but as it was a designated landing site for the Flying Doctor Service, she had to have trust.
Keep it together. You can do this.
With the muscles in her body on high alert, Ellie guided the plane, easing it into position, descending at the correct speed. Her breath caught in her throat. Her hands gripped the yoke. The wheels hovered above the gravel then touched as light as a feather.
She guided it to the apron on the far side of the airstrip where a ute was already waiting. Once they rolled to a stop, Ellie took off her headphones and double-checked the controls. She got out, placed a wedge under the wheel and arched her aching back.
Dr Spears was already at the ute. ‘What are you waiting for?’
‘I’m staying here, aren’t I?’
‘I may need you.’
Ellie got in. Dr Spears slid in n
ext to her. The driver took off, stones flying behind as they sped down the track towards the station.
‘That was the best landing I’ve ever experienced,’ said Dr Spears.
‘Thank you.’ Better he didn’t know how nervous she’d been.
A few minutes later a tractor on its side came into view. Around the tractor were half a dozen workers trying to lift the machine off the patient whose leg was caught under the wheel. The ute came to a halt and Ellie and Dr Spears rushed over.
Dr Spears got on his knees and checked the pulse of the man who groaned and drifted in and out of consciousness. ‘His pulse is weak. We need to get this thing off him. Now.’
‘Chains,’ said Ellie. The men looked at her. ‘Do you have chains?’
‘Yes,’ said the teenager. He ran to the ute and pulled out two long chains, nearly buckling under the weight.
‘We need these utes.’ She glanced at the one she’d ridden in and another nearby. She pointed at a spot close to the tractor. ‘Drive them over there.’
‘What the hell are you doing?’ asked the burly bloke in a blue singlet. ‘That’s not going to work.’
‘Do you have a better idea?’ she asked, her tone firm.
‘No.’
She placed her hand on her hip. ‘Then what are you waiting for?’
‘It’s not going to work,’ he said once more.
‘It will. I’ve done this before.’
‘Where?’ asked the bloke.
‘Longreach. On my neighbour’s farm.’ She pointed at the chains and said to him, ‘I need those attached to the utes.’
The worker muttered under his breath but did as she asked with the help of his mates.
Her matter-of-fact tone had everyone listening and she was grateful for the training she’d received at Central Bureau. Under intense moments there was no time to panic, no room for second guessing. It was a matter of getting on with the job and getting it right the first time. She prayed she hadn’t lost her touch.
When the utes were in place, she attached the chains to them and the tractor, making sure she had the strongest points.
The patient’s groans faded into whimpers.
‘We need to be slow and steady. No jarring, no pressing the accelerator too hard.’ She turned to the doctor. ‘Ready?’
He pointed to two of the men. ‘Get him on this stretcher and pull it away the second I say so.’
They nodded solemnly.
Ellie turned her attention to the drivers. ‘Remember, slow and steady. Keep going until I say otherwise.’
They climbed into their respective utes and started the engines.
She looked at Dr Spears who nodded. ‘On the count of three. One … two … three.’
The men drove forward slowly. Chains rattled.
‘Keep going!’ she yelled above the engines.
The chains pulled taut. The tractor creaked but didn’t move.
Ellie gritted her teeth. ‘Come on. Come on.’
The utes rolled forward. The tractor lifted a fraction off the ground. The patient screamed.
The drivers kept steady. The injured man’s cries pierced her ears.
Each second dragged.
‘Come on.’
The patient’s screams stopped. Ellie sucked in her breath.
The utes inched forward.
The tractor raised an inch. Four more. Eight …
‘Now!’ Dr Spears yelled. He lurched forward with the two men as they hoisted the unconscious patient onto the stretcher and quickly hauled him away.
‘Stop!’ she yelled and waved her arms. ‘Back up slowly.’
She motioned for the drivers to reverse and the tractor was laid on its side once more. Later, the farmer and workers could figure out how to right the tractor without further risk.
Dr Spears worked frantically on the man. Ellie caught a glimpse of exposed bone. Her stomach churned.
A car roared up the gravel road and came to a sudden stop. A woman jumped out of the passenger side.
‘Where is he?’ She raced over to Dr Spears who had splinted and bandaged the patient’s leg.
‘David? Honey, I’m here. Hang on. We’ll get you sorted.’
Ellie’s heart smashed into her ribcage. Her past had just collided with her present.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Florry looked so different now that her platinum-blonde hair had changed to natural brown and her stylish clothes were now those of a woman who worked the land. Ellie stood by, desperately wanting to comfort her friend but unsure if it was the right thing to do. Florry had, after all, cut Ellie out of her life.
Dr Spears got the men to load David onto the ute tray and they secured the tailgate. He climbed in and checked him over. The worker who had picked them up at the airstrip got behind the wheel while Florry stood nearby, dazed.
Ellie went over and put her hand under Florry’s elbow. ‘David’s in good hands. Dr Spears is excellent.’
Florry looked at Ellie, as if registering her presence for the first time. Her tear-streaked face crumpled.
‘Ellie?’
‘We need to go.’ She guided Florry to the ute where David lay on the tray, his silence unnerving. Helping Florry into the cabin, Ellie got in beside her friend and held her hand. One small squeeze said it all.
* * *
Ellie touched down in Charleville, exhausted but elated. The ambulance had been waiting at the airfield and Florry had gone with her husband. As much as Ellie wanted to be with her friend, she still had work to do, filing her report and ensuring the plane was ready for the next flight.
She sat at the desk, the dim light making it difficult to read the paperwork.
‘Nice work today, Ellie.’ Dr Spears stood at the door. ‘I must admit I had my doubts but you proved me wrong. Your clear thinking and ability to take charge of the situation reminds me of the men I worked with on the front line. Where did you learn that?’
She swallowed, taking her time. ‘I grew up on a farm in Longreach and helped out my brother and father when I could.’
‘I thought you were a city girl,’ he said.
‘I was, for a time. I guess once a farm girl always a farm girl.’
Dr Spears nodded slowly. ‘Well, Russell is under observation. Turns out it may not be gastro and could be his appendix. If that’s the case he’s going to be unfit for a few weeks so I may need you again.’
‘What about protocol?’ She really should keep her mouth shut.
‘Leave that with me.’ He went to leave then stopped. ‘Go home and rest. You’ve earned it.’
Ellie grinned, unable to contain her delight. She packed up, turned off the light and left the building knowing any emergency calls would be dealt with by the switchboard operator while the base was unmanned.
She got on her bicycle and rode to the hospital.
‘May I help you?’ asked the nurse.
‘I’m Ellie O’Sullivan from the Flying Doctor Service.’
‘You’re Ellie?’ she asked.
‘Yes.’
‘You’re the talk of the town.’
‘Pardon?’
‘We’ve all heard about what you did. You’re quite the heroine.’
‘I was just helping.’ Ellie had never been publicly recognised for her achievements at Central Bureau, so this woman’s comments were lovely but slightly embarrassing.
The nurse winked. ‘You showed the men a thing or two.’
‘I guess.’ Ellie hadn’t thought of it that way until now. ‘I was just wondering how our patient is doing.’
‘Ellie?’
She turned around to find Florry standing in the foyer. Colour had returned to her cheeks and her eyes looked brighter. Florry held out her arms and Ellie rushed into them and held on to the friend she’d lost too many times.
‘Is he all right?’ Ellie asked.
‘Yes, he’ll be fine—eventually. He’s smashed his leg good and proper and broken some ribs. He’s a very lucky man. It could have been
much, much worse.’
‘When we first got there, I …’ Ellie’s knees felt weak and she reached for the chair. Her body turned cold and she couldn’t stop shaking.
‘Ellie?’
‘I think it’s starting to hit me.’
‘Let’s get some fresh air.’
Florry held out her hand but it took a moment for Ellie to steady herself. They walked through the doors and out into the evening where a chill had settled, despite the day having been so warm.
Florry squeezed Ellie’s arm. ‘I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you.’
‘It would have been better if we’d met under different circumstances.’
‘True,’ said Florry. ‘But now we know David will recover, I can enjoy this moment with you.’ She stared at the ground, her bottom lip trembling. ‘I’ve missed you so much.’
Ellie clasped her friend’s hand. ‘And I’ve missed you.’
Florry looked up. ‘Tell me about your life and I’ll tell you about mine.’
Ellie filled Florry in on Harry, Maude, her determination to become a pilot and, of course, her relationship with Louis.
‘Oh, Ellie, what are you going to do about Louis?’
‘We’re trying to work it out, though it’s been really hard. We both have dreams but sometimes I wonder if it’s all worth it. Should I just give in and become a dutiful wife and mother?’
‘Why can’t you do all three?’
‘Be a pilot, wife and mother?’ Ellie paused. ‘I have thought about that—a lot—but there are so many obstacles in the way.’
‘Since when has that stopped you?’
Ellie smiled. ‘Good point. Now, tell me about you.’
‘Mum passed away just after the war.’
‘Oh, Florry, I’m sorry.’
‘Thank you.’ She shrugged with one shoulder. ‘We’re lucky she lasted as long as she did.’
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