Dan looked startled, but Bree simply replied, “The greys have never been reported as having three toes.”
It took all Nick had not to laugh as Dan looked disbelievingly from Bree to Charlotte.
“Maybe it wasn’t a grey,” David interjected. “Maybe it was something else.”
“Maybe this is just shit,” Ted stated. “A waste of time. I got work to do, I can’t mess around with this shit. You got no explanation, Bree, I’m outta here.”
“But Dad-” David began.
Ted glared at him.
“These are prints.”
“Yeah, and that’s all they are. Come on.”
“Besides,” Bree said, “these prints don’t seem t go anywhere. Do they, Nick?”
Every eye turned to him.
“Yeah, do they, Nick?” Dan echoed, and with another roll of his eyes, he started to hunt around the bushes where the marks disappeared.
Nick obligingly helped Dan. It wasn’t hard to find footprints or evidence of someone passing through, but it was clear that the footprints turned back and returned to the water.
“Another thing,” Bree was saying, “what one earth was an alien doing coming out of the water, going partially into the bush and coming right back?”
“Maybe he forgot his keys,” Ted retorted.
Beside Nick, Dan sniggered, then obviously remembering who Nick was with he glanced at him. “Sorry.”
“Hey, don’t stop on my account. I have my serious doubts about all this.”
Dan glanced back at the group by the edge of the creek before asking in a low voice, “No offence to Bree, she’s a nice sheila, but seriously? Aliens?”
“She has her beliefs.”
“What about you?”
“I’m someone who needs solid evidence.”
“So you don’t believe in UFOs? That’s a relief.”
“I believe there are unidentified flying objects, but as for being aliens? That remains to be seen.”
“Yeah.” Dan shoved his cap back on his head, adjusted the peak. “Well, this doesn’t tell us shit except that whatever the hell made these prints went back into the water.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure of that.”
Dan arched one eyebrow. “How so?”
Nick parted some bushes. “Someone else went through here right where the footprints turned around.”
Bree appeared at his elbow. “You found something?”
Nick pointed to the partially trodden down grass. “Whoever went here tried to cover up their tracks, but it’s pretty evident someone-”
“Or something,” Alfred interrupted.
“-came through here,” Nick continued.
“The alien?” David stood at Charlotte’s elbow, his face alight with eagerness.
“I think this is it, boy.” She practically quivered with excitement. “This is the discovery.”
“And we’re here for it.” Beaming, Alfred patted his camera.
Ted shook his head in disgust.
Leaning down towards Bree, Nick said quietly, “I’ll tell you another thing. Whoever did this, it wasn’t David.”
Bree glanced to where Alfred, Charlotte and David were talking avidly. “I think you might be right. I had my doubts at first, but he’s too excited.”
Dan, who was standing nearby, couldn’t help but overhear. “So what or who made these tracks?”
“I think we should find out.” Nick waited.
“Let’s go.” Dan walked into the bush in the direction of the prints.
Nick followed, Bree and the others behind him. The tracks of someone passing through were obvious only to trained eyes. Whoever had come this way had been good at covering their tracks, or trying to, but Dan was obviously a skilled tracker, and Nick had experience in it, so though it wasn’t easy it definitely wasn’t undoable.
After about ten minutes they smelled a whiff of smoke, a few minutes later hushed voices and a low laugh.
Those voices and laugh definitely sounded human.
A cry of pain suddenly filled the air, swearing peppering it liberally.
Dan and Nick broke into a jog, careful to watch their step while moving fast. They broke into a small clearing, the sight meet their eyes confirming Nick’s suspicion.
Looking at the two teenagers, one standing there with a cigarette lighter in his hand, the other sitting and clutching his hand while swearing a blue streak, there was no doubting the culprits were not of the alien variety.
The boys looked up at Nick and Dan, the one sitting bolting to his feet.
“Braden, Ken.” Dan pointed at them. “Don’t bother trying to run.”
Bree entered the clearing, her gaze going to the boys. “Ah, the plot thins out.”
David came up behind her, the others on his heels. He looked at the boys. “Ken? Braden? What are you doing here?”
“I can guess.” Dan crossed to where a pair of boots was lying beside the boy holding his hand to his chest. “Mind if I check these out, Ken?”
Ken, whom Nick recognised as David’s friend, gave an audible gulp. “We found them here. They were just here.”
“Uh huh.” Dan tipped the boots upside down. “Unusual tread pattern. These soles have three appendages stuck to them which just, coincidentally, matches the three-toed footprints we found near the creek bank. Not to mention the mud on them.”
“Don’t know anything about it,” Ken replied.
“Sure you don’t.”
Ted glared at the boy. “Idiot.”
Ken had the good grace to blush and glance away.
Moving forward, Nick took Ken’s hand to hold it up. “Burn on your hand. Looks painful, which means it’s not too deep. You’re lucky.”
“Tried to light a cigarette,” he mumbled.
Nick looked to where Braden stood with the cigarette lighter in his hand. “What’d you use, a flame thrower?”
“No,” Braden replied defiantly.
Nick’s gaze dropped to the small can sitting not far away, right next to a – well, how interesting. “Making burn marks, boys?”
Braden swallowed, squared his jaw. “No.”
Dan surveyed the clearing. “A burn mark here.” He strode across to another round mark. “And here.”
“If you look to where Braden is standing,” Bree said, “he’s about to try making another burn mark.”
Braden glared at her, only to catch Nick’s steady gaze and look away. “No.”
“You say no a lot.” Charlotte caught them all by surprise when she strode across to grab his hand, lifting it to her nose to sniff. “Petrol.”
David looked at Ken. “What is this?”
Embarrassed, Ken muttered, “Just a joke, man. Chill.”
“A joke?”
“They were trying to replicate the burn marks of a tripod,” Bree explained. “The legs of a spaceship or shuttle or whatever,” she added for the benefit of Dan.
He looked hard at the offenders. “This true?”
“Look, it was just a joke.” Braden gave a huff. “Nothing wrong with a joke, right?”
“Why would you do a thing like that?” David demanded.
“Hey, you played a joke,” Braden shot back. “It’s not your sole territory.”
“Before we get into the accusing game,” Dan interrupted, “explain this to me. Now.”
Braden closed his mouth mutinously, but Ken, cradling the hand that Nick had released, mumbled, “We made the fake boots, made the footprints. Came up in a row boat a couple of hours ago, got out, walked towards the bush and then walked back to the boat and left. Made a few anonymous calls, then we decided to do a little more, try to make it more authentic.”
Braden glared at him.
Ignoring him, Ken looked at David. “We read that burn marks are often found near spaceship sightings. We thought it’d be fun to make it look like something had landed.”
“You didn’t tell me,” David accused. “Why didn’t you tell me? Why’d you just let me believe
a lie?”
Uncomfortable, Ken looked away. “Sorry.”
“You’re supposed to be my friend.”
“I said I’m sorry.”
Anger glinted in David’s eyes, his jaw clenching.
Surprisingly, it was his father who laid a hand on his shoulder. “Dumb arses, son. Dumb arses.”
“Hey-” Braden began indignantly.
“Any fool can see that you used petrol and a lighter to make these so-called alien spaceship burn marks shit. You had to use petrol because the rain made the grass too wet. Goddamn, you’re a country boy. You know what happens if a fire takes hold of the bush, and using petrol? You’re bloody lucky you didn’t set your dumb arses on fire.”
“I’m not-”
“Wait until your Dad hears about this little stunt. He’ll rip your ears off.” Ted glowered. “Dumb arse.”
David glared at his friends. “Dumb arses.”
Nick looked at father and son standing side by side. Looked like the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Right that second, David looked like a younger version of Ted.
“Always going to get the scoffers,” Charlotte announced.
Dan looked disbelievingly at her. “Surely you don’t mean-”
“Those who don’t understand will pull pranks to release their fears of extraterrestrials,” Alfred announced. “This isn’t an end to it. We know what’s out there, and we won’t stop looking.” He pointed to his camera. “One day we’ll get evidence, real evidence, and then we’ll see who’s laughing.”
“God give me strength.” Dan shook his head before jerking his thumb in the direction they’d just come from. “Everyone back to their vehicles. Braden and Ken, you both come with me so we can check Ken’s burns at the hospital before we go back to the station and call your parents.”
Ken went even paler and though Braden strutted behind him, Nick could see the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. Oh yeah, the boys knew they were in for it once their parents found out what they’d been up to, and good job. They were old enough to know the dangers of fire in the bush, regardless of the season.
As David walked past them, Bree caught his arm. “Hey.”
He looked at her. “I’m a fool.”
“No, man. Listen, if you believe in things others don’t you will be the butt of jokes at times, but you have to be man enough to stand up for what you believe in. Grow a thick skin. Basically, toughen up, princess, or the clowns will get to you.”
For a second Nick thought the teenager would retort angrily, but then the boy’s face cleared and he grinned. “Yeah, the clowns and the dumb arses.”
“Right on.” She smiled widely. “The truth really is out there, David.”
“I’m not going to stop looking,” he stated, full of renewed vigour.
“Bloody hell,” Ted muttered, looking from his son to Bree and back.
Alfred came up beside David. “I know our group is for seniors, but son, you’re welcome to attend our UFO watches. Be like an honorary member.”
“Be good to have a young set of legs to do any running,” Charlotte agreed.
“Yeah,” David said. “I can do that.”
“You can do your bloody homework and the farm chores first.” Ted stomped past him and off up the track.
David, Charlotte and Alfred fell in behind him, discussing the next SOW meeting.
Nick looked down to where the top of Bree’s head was level with his shoulder. “Nice one, hunter. You helped David save face and still believe.”
“Why, thank you, soldier boy.”
“And after all these pranks, you still believe.”
“The truth is out there, Nick, the truth is out there.”
Taking her hand, he squeezed it gently. “For your sake, I certainly hope it’s true.”
“And if you stumbled across covert government information, you’d share it with me, right?”
He winked. “What makes you think I don’t already know?”
“Because you’d have given it up to me already.”
“Is that right?”
“Uh huh.”
“And what makes you think that?”
“Because I’ve learned a few things these last few weeks.”
“Such as?”
She winked back. “One blow job and you’ll tell me anything.”
Nick almost tripped over a branch, righting himself at the last second while Bree laughed her pretty head off.
Damn woman would be the death of him.
But he’d sure die a happy man.
Chapter 12
Australian Army Base
Afghanistan
“Hey, Jonesy.”
The soldier looked up. “Yeah?”
The corporal handed him a letter. “Congrats. This is from The Goodbye Girl.”
Eagerly, Jonesy grabbed the letter. Ever since Sergeant Nick Mason had left, he’d been waiting, hoping he'd be The Goodbye Girl’s next chosen soldier boy. He’d heard on the grapevine that Nick had mentioned him before he’d left.
Retreating to the shade of the big stone wall, Jonesy ripped open the letter, intrigued when a smaller envelope fell out as well. Tucking the smaller pink envelope behind the bigger one, he unfolded the single sheet of blue paper and started reading.
Hi Jonesy
I’m really glad you were chosen to receive some news from home. I was looking forward to writing to you, but you see, I’ve found love with a certain soldier-boy you know as Nick Mason. So I’m writing solely to him now, because that seems only right for a fiancée to do, right?
Jonesy blinked. What the hell…? Nick was engaged to The Goodbye Girl?
So I guess I really am saying goodbye for real, for good, forever.
Bloody hell, talk about a Dear John letter. He couldn’t believe it. He forced himself to read on.
However, this isn’t the end of the letters from home. I’ve found some single girls who are happy to share news with our lonely soldiers, and so saying, I’m including the letter from Marcia, a lovely girl who is more than happy to be your contact from home while you’re away from Australia.
Jonesy, I wish you happiness, but most of all, safety. And if you see any UFOs, please get a photo and post it to Marcia for me.
Toodles!
Bree
aka The Goodbye Girl.
Feeling both bewildered and disappointed, Jonesy pulled out the pink envelope and looked at it. It had a butterfly on the front engraved into the paper, and his name written in flowery script. Well, he didn’t really have anything to lose, did he? You had to have something first to lose it.
Curiously, he ripped the envelope open. The scent of roses filled the air, and he sniffed in appreciation. Okay, this mightn’t be so bad, if nothing else he could dream of sweet-smelling women from back home.
Unfolding the delicate paper, he started reading.
Hi Jonesy
So, I’m Marcia. I work at the local hospital as a ward clerk. I live in Whicha, a little place you probably haven’t heard of it. I tell you, it might be small but life is never dull. Before I begin, I always think it’s nice to know who you’re writing to, so I’ve included a photo.
A photo? Eagerly, Jonesy fished again in the envelope, pulling out a photo. Flipping it over, his eyes widened. Holy cow, he was writing to what looked like a younger version of Dolly Parton. A pretty, blue-eyed blonde with a bust bigger than her hips, wearing a uniform of some kind, a hospital behind her. She was laughing, blue eyes happy.
And she looked like Dolly Parton’s younger twin.
Yes! He’d scored!
~*~
City Airport
Australia
Six Months Later
Bouncing on tip toe, Bree watched the jet pull in on the runway. It had been a long time, a long wait. Biting her lip, she watched the jet approach, moving slowly up the runway and turn in towards the airport, moving along to where the connection tunnels waited.
Looking up, Bree reassured herself that
yes, the jet she was waiting for, had been waiting for, for so long, was finally here. Finally here.
For the hundredth time she smoothed back the stray wisps of hair that insisted on escaping her ponytail to dance around her cheeks. Straightened the skirt of her dress, adjusted the bodice which revealed a little bit too much cleavage.
Waiting was agony. Along with everyone else waiting, she watched the doorway through which the travellers would come through.
After about ten minutes, the first passenger appeared, and then another, then more coming faster as the plane emptied.
Maybe he missed the flight. Maybe he didn’t get on it. Maybe I’m still dreaming. Maybe- and then he was there.
Tall, broad shouldered, stride strong and confident, calmness radiating from him.
While she danced on the spot, ready to dart forward as soon as he came through the glass door.
Brilliant green eyes searched ahead of him, his gaze roving over the crowd before coming to a stop on her face, a smile breaking out on the handsome face.
“Nick!” Bree screamed his name and ran forward, throwing herself at him.
Nick dropped his hand luggage to the floor just in time to catch her, brawny arms wrapping around her to crush her to him in a hug so fierce, so full of longing. Dropping his head forward, he leaned down and kissed her, long and deep, filling her with his familiar flavour. Clean male, toothpaste, and Nick all rolled into one heady taste.
When he lifted his head, she could only see his face through a blur of tears. “I’m not crying.” She sniffed.
“I know.” Happiness shone on his face.
“I can’t believe you’re really here. You’re really back.” For the life of her, Bree couldn’t let him go.
“Honey.” Another soft kiss before he leaned his forehead against hers, looking deeply into her eyes with so much love a tear slipped free even as she smiled up at him. “My Goodbye Girl, I’ve come home for good.”
####
After Word
So, a heroine who believes in extraterrestrials, aliens, little green men, greys, whatever you have heard them called. Unbelievable, right?
The Goodbye Girl Page 31