Coasts of Cape York

by Christopher Cummings

  By then they had moved four or five paces. Stick frowned and then complained, “Hey! What? Why does the CO want me?”

  “He doesn’t!” Willy hissed in his ear. “But you were showing that man where our wrecked plane is and we promised not to do that.”

  “But.. but I only.. I.. er.. He just asked if I knew of any,” Stick replied. A look of understanding crossed his face and he glanced back at Mr Jemmerling.

  “Don’t look back, and don’t look guilty,” Willy grated angrily. Then he spotted Marjorie and Vicki walking the other way. “Noddy, get Marjorie and Vicki to come with us,” he ordered.

  To his relief Noddy obeyed without argument. Willy marched Stick outside and around the corner. “Now tell us what he said, and what you told him,” he snapped.

  “Oh, nothing much,” Stick muttered. He now looked very crestfallen. “He just said he was looking for aircraft wrecks and Noddy said, ‘So are we.’ He then asked if I knew where there were any and I.. er.. Noddy..er..said we were going to get a ‘Kittyhawk’ in a few weeks time after school finished.”

  “So you told Noddy as well?” Willy said accusingly.

  Stick nodded and looked very unhappy. “Yeah, well. Yeah, but he’s a mate and he knows we are going looking anyway.”

  “Yeah, but he didn’t know where,” Willy grated.

  Marjorie, Noddy and Vicki joined them. Willy did not let up. “Keep going. What else did that man say?” he said.

  “Well, he just asked where it was. He didn’t sound very interested or anything,” Stick replied defensively.

  “But you showed him,” Willy stated.

  Stick hung his head. “I.. I just didn’t think. He seemed such a nice guy.”

  “He probably is,” Willy answered, “But we promised not to tell anyone, so let’s all make sure we keep our lips sealed.”

  Vicki looked puzzled so Willy said, “Sorry Vicki. We promised someone not to talk about something. Nothing against you but we can’t explain.”

  “Fine by me,” Vicki answered.

  “Thanks,” Willy said, giving her a reassuring smile. Then he turned to the others, “Now, be careful what you say please. Noddy, please promise not to tell anyone.”

  “Yeah, OK,” Noddy replied.

  “What if that man talks to us again?” Stick asked.

  “Then be vague and point to somewhere hundreds of kilometres from where we plan to go,” Willy answered.

  At that moment the W.O.D. began calling the cadets to form up for Passing-Out Parade rehearsal. The drill then became Willy’s dominant concern but he did glimpse Mr Jemmerling watching from the sidelines and that bothered him. As the parade was the following weekend he made a special effort to get the drill perfect. ‘Or those army and navy cadets will tease us something chronic,’ he thought.

  When the rehearsal was finished Willy noted Mr Jemmerling shaking hands with the CO. Mr Jemmerling then climbed into a car and drove away. ‘Good!’ thought Willy. ‘That is one less worry.’

  The cadets were dismissed soon after. On the dismissal parade they were reminded of the invitation to go and watch the Navy Cadet parade the following afternoon. Quite a number of cadets put their hands up to indicate they intended going.

  As they walked towards the car park afterwards Marjorie said, “Can we get a lift to the Navy Cadets with you Willy?”

  “Let’s ask my Mum,” Willy replied. He knew that Marjorie’s parents were not very well off and only had one old car for the family, while his parents both had their own new cars. Willy’s mother was quite agreeable to this so times were agreed. She then said, “In the car William.”

  “Yes Mum,” Willy replied. He cast a ‘meaningful’ look at Marjorie and whispered, “Wish I was going home with you.”

  “Me too!” Marjorie whispered back, giving him a sad, big-eyed look in return.

  It was obvious to Willy that she wanted to hug him and give him a kiss but there were other cadets and officers around so he gave a slight shake of the head and climbed quickly into the car. But that look of promised pleasures kept his imagination aflame and he spent hours lying in bed in a highly aroused state that night.

  CHAPTER 9

  PARADES AND PROBLEMS

  Willy really enjoyed the Navy Cadet parade. It did not have the numbers or the marching spectacle of the Army Cadet parade but he still found it impressive. Partly it was the setting and partly the uniforms. The navy cadets stood facing the setting sun. This shone on their white uniforms so that the cloth appeared to glow. The sunlight also shimmered on the blades of the swords and cutlasses held by the Cadet Midshipmen and petty officers.

  A dozen air cadets in their best blue uniforms stood in a group behind the chairs occupied by the parents and guests. With them stood nine army cadets, including Graham, Peter, Stephen and Roger. Beside them stood Barbara and the female corporal who was her section commander, Gwen. Among the guests was Captain Conkey and he gave Willy and his friends a welcome smile before he sat down. Flight Lt Comstock was there too but he merely returned Willy’s salute and gave the group of air cadets a brief nod.

  The reviewing officer was a navy captain, resplendent in dress whites and with a bright splash of colour made by his medals. Willy had to admire the officer’s caps with their gleaming black brim and startling white top. The sun glinting on the gold leaves on the brim of the navy captain’s cap added another touch to the spectacle.

  ‘This looks really good,’ Willy thought.

  Obviously some of his friends were not as impressed, or at least pretending not to be. Stick sneered and muttered, “Their drill isn’t nearly as good as ours.”

  ‘It probably isn’t,’ Willy thought. But despite that he enjoyed watching, and liked seeing the little differences in the way things were done. His gaze roved along the ranks of navy cadets while they were being inspected. ‘There is Andrew,’ he noted. ‘He looks very proud of himself. And there is his sister Carmen.’ For a good few seconds he studied Carmen. She was in Year 11 and was the petty officer standing at the rear of the group on Willy’s left. ‘She looks very attractive,’ he thought. It was honest admiration, quite different from his hopeless adoration of Barbara.

  After the first group had been inspected the Cadet Midshipman commanding the second group, a very reliable looking youth, called them to attention. “Port Watch… Ho!” he cried.

  “Hoe what, the garden?” jibed Noddy.

  “Hard a port!” said Stephen, just loudly enough to make a few parent’s heads turn.

  “Pass the port more likely, at least with that bunch,” Stick added.

  The army and navy cadets all chuckled and made more comments until Capt Conkey turned in his seat and frowned at them. That caused Willy to blush with embarrassment, knowing it was really just bad manners.

  After the parade there was a barbeque. During it Willy sought out Andrew and his friends and congratulated him. He ended up talking to Andrew, Blake, Carmen and Andrew’s girlfriend Tina.

  Andrew drained a cup of orange cordial then said, “Willy, are you still planning this expedition to the Cape in a few weeks time?”

  “Yeah, why?”

  “Because Carmen and I still want to come. But we might have to work to pay our way,” Andrew answered.

  “Work? What sort of work?” Willy asked.

  “Graham’s dad is going to put us on the payroll. We have to join the Seaman’s Union. That costs a bit so we need the money,” Andrew explained.

  It wasn’t something Willy had ever thought about but he could imagine it, having some familiarity with the numerous rules and regulations governing aircraft. He said, “Mr Beck, the man who owns the Air Museum in Mareeba, is going to pay for most of it.”

  “I’ve heard of him. Is the museum very good?”

  Willy nodded. “Yes. He has lots of interesting things. He even has three tanks and a couple of armoured cars, plus a lot of planes and things. They are all in a big old hangar. We are going up there tomorrow afternoon to talk to him.”<
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  “Can we come too?” Carmen asked.

  “If you like,” Willy replied, adding, “You might have to pay the museum entry fee though.”

  “That’s alright,” Andrew replied. “That is fair.”

  The conversation was interrupted by Willy’s mother, insisting they go home. Willy had to agree. He badly wanted to be alone with Marjorie and suggested he be dropped off at her house for a few hours but his mother shook her head. “Certainly not! You have a big day tomorrow and your exams start on Monday. You are not going to tire yourself out staying up late or.. or. er. So that’s it.”

  That was it. They dropped Stick and Marjorie off, arranging to pick them up at 11:00 the next morning. Then it was home to a quiet night of TV and study. This left Willy feeling very horny and frustrated and as a result he slept badly, with more erotic dreams.

  Next afternoon Andrew, Stick and Marjorie were taken to Beck’s Museum by Willy’s father. Once again Graham was there with Stephen. Graham was in a foul mood and Willy guessed it was because he wanted to be in Castor with Carol. ‘And I wish I was somewhere with Marjorie,’ he thought.

  Andrew and Carmen arrived with their parents. They were introduced and taken on a tour of the museum. The others strolled along behind. Willy spent most of his time looking at the tanks. The one that really impressed him was the ‘Centurion’.

  Mr Beck pointed to the 50 ton, green-painted monster and said, “This one and the ‘Saracen’ APC and the ‘Ferret’ scout car all still work.”

  “Oh! Can we see one drive around?” Stick asked.

  Mr Beck shook his head. “No. Sorry. There are all sorts of legal reasons why not, insurance and that sort of thing,” he explained.

  That was a disappointment but Willy could only accept it as one of those adult things he knew he would have to face up to one day. He strolled over to have another look at the ‘Airacobra’. Stick and Marjorie joined him, then Mr Beck and the others.

  Mr Beck explained the aircraft to the adults, then said, “We are hoping to add to the collection by adding a ‘Kittyhawk’ fighter and a ‘Beaufighter’.”

  “These are the ones crashed up on Cape York that the kids want to help you find?” Mr Collins asked.

  “Yes, that’s right,” Mr Beck answered.

  Marjorie piped up to add, “We are not the only ones trying to get them either.”

  Mr Beck looked at her. “Aren’t we? Who else is trying to get them?”

  Marjorie screwed her face up in concentration and said, “I can’t remember his name. A man who collects old aeroplanes. He has an aircraft collection too.”

  Willy broke in. “Mr Jemmerling.”

  To Willy’s surprise and dismay Mr Beck looked suddenly very anxious. “Mr Jemmerling!” he cried. “How do you know?”

  “He visited the Air Cadets on Friday night,” Willy explained. “He showed us slides of his collection and we looked through his restored ‘Catalina’.”

  “I hope you didn’t mention our plans,” Mr Beck asked, his anxiety plain.

  That made Willy feel very guilty and he glanced at Stick, who blushed. Willy then said, “I’m afraid we did.”

  “I hope you didn’t give away any details,” Mr Beck replied.

  Willy glanced at Stick who shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other before admitting, “I told him. I’m sorry. I didn’t think. We, that is Noddy and I, were talking about ‘Kittyhawks’ and that man must have overheard us. He then got us talking about ‘Kittyhawk’ wrecks and we told him we were going to look for one. He then asked where it was. I.. I.. er.. I just didn’t think. I pointed to Bathurst Bay on the air chart on the wall.”

  Mr Beck frowned and pressed his lips together.

  Stephen cried, “Oh Stick, you bloody nong! I hope you didn’t show him where the ‘Beaufighter’ is as well?”

  Stick shook his head. “No, I didn’t.”

  “Did you tell him we were looking for it too?” Stephen asked.

  Stick swallowed and went red, then nodded. “Yeah, sorry. It just sort of slipped out.”

  Mr Beck shook his head. “Did you show him exactly where the ‘Kittyhawk’ is?”

  Willy answered before Stick had time to. “Not exactly. He only pointed to the general area before I dragged him away.”

  Graham now asked Mr Beck, “Who is this Jemmerlane anyway?”

  Mr Beck sighed. “Mr Francis Mortimer Jemmerling, millionaire. He is my greatest rival. We have been trying to beat each other to wrecks for twenty years. Unfortunately he has a lot more money and is doing much better than I am. Now it looks like he may beat me yet again.”

  Hearing that made Willy feel very guilty, even though it had not been him who had given away the secret. He said, “We will do our best to help you find the planes first Mr Beck.”

  Mr Beck smiled. “That’s fine young William. Let’s hope we can, but he has a couple of planes he can use for aerial searches.”

  “He said a Cessna 180 and a PBY ‘Catalina’,” Willy replied.

  “That’s right. The ‘Catalina’ is painted black and he calls it the Pterodactyl. I didn’t know he was in North Queensland. I wonder what brought him up here?” Mr Beck replied.

  “Maybe he was here for the same air show as Mr Southall?” Willy suggested.

  Mr Beck shook his head. “No. I would have heard of that. No, I’m afraid Mr Mortimer Jemmerling has picked up some clue and is now sniffing around for more information.”

  “Then we must make sure he doesn’t find any,” Marjorie cried.

  Mr Beck gave a short laugh, then said, “Easier said than done my dear. But I must ask you again not to speak to anyone, not even your friends.”

  “We won’t,” Willy promised.

  Graham now mentioned the B25 that was rumoured to have crashed in the jungle up behind the sugar mill at Castor. Mr Beck nodded. “Yes, I’ve heard of that one but never had time to go and look. It is up in very thick jungle and no-one has ever been able to find anything. Why do you ask?”

  “We thought we might have a go,” Graham answered.

  “Good luck!” Mr Beck replied. “When are you doing that?”

  “Two weeks time, after exams are finished,” Graham replied.

  They settled to discussing expeditions and timings and Mr Beck made arrangements to meet with Graham’s father when his ship docked in Cairns the following week. By then they had run out of time and began dispersing. Willy and his group were the last to leave, allowing Willy another chance to admire the superb collection of models.

  His group were then driven by Dr Williams back to Aunty Isabel’s farm to pick up Willy’s mother. That meant some afternoon tea and scones and Willy had to tell Aunty Isabel all about his schoolwork. What he really wanted to do was get Marjorie around the back to give her a good pash. Just looking at her bouncing bosom was getting him aroused and frustrated.

  But he was denied even that pleasure because Marjorie and her brother were dropped off first when they arrived back in Cairns. Then it was home, with an evening spent completing an English assignment that was due the next day.

  That night Willy had some very mixed dreams. Two of them started with him trying to impress Barbara but Marjorie kept appearing and he ended up with her, being caught kissing by Barbara. The other was more of a nightmare. In that Mr Jemmerling kept appearing, gloating over their difficulties. His face then turned into a grinning skull and Willy found himself suddenly down in the ocean with sharks circling. He woke up in a lather of sweat and had to go and have a drink to calm down.

  Monday was all study and revision for exams. Willy handed in his English assignment and worked hard. Being focused on becoming a pilot in the Air Force helped him work hard as he had heard just how competitive it was to get in. The only things that enlivened the day were watching Barbara during classes and having a quick cuddle with Marjorie when she cornered him in the library.

  During the day Willy also thought frequently about their planned expeditions and that set him
fretting about the possibility that Mr Jemmerling might even then be out searching.

  Tuesday was two exams: English in the morning and Maths A in the afternoon. After school Willy went to the newsagents to see if there were any new magazines on vintage aircraft. That evening he did another assignment- History this time. That night he slept well.

  Wednesday was just a day of revision and study. During the school day the only incident that stuck in Willy’s mind was seeing Graham sitting with Carol. They both looked a bit tense. ‘I hope Graham does alright,’ he thought.

  After school the Army Cadets had a training parade. This was to prepare those selected to go on the promotion courses. Willy talked to Stephen and Graham for a few minutes before they began, reminding them that the Air Cadets had their Passing-Out Parade that Friday night. That parade was now starting to loom larger in Willy’s thoughts. Mostly this was as a niggling anxiety that the parade go well so that the army cadets and navy cadets couldn’t tease. There was also the worry that Mr Jemmerling might beat them to the plane wrecks.

  Thursday was a Science exam (Physics) which Willy felt he had done very well at. He then studied hard for the next exams and also completed a Geography assignment. For interest sake he did this on the pattern of swamps and beach dunes on the east coast of Queensland, using the coastline from south of Cairns north to Buchans Point as the example. For this he used the military topographic maps and also a selection of photos, some from tourist brochures and some he had taken himself.

  It got him thinking about the coast of Cape York Peninsula, which appeared to have the same pattern: a rocky headland with a swampy bay on the north side, then a sandy beach leading to another rocky headland. The prevailing South East trade wind was a major factor in this because it caused the coastal current which moved sediment northwards. While working he often worried about Mr Jemmerling, picturing his ‘Catalina’ flying over that coastline and landing in the shelter of a headland to search the beach.

  Friday brought more anxiety and another exam. This was in the afternoon and was Maths B. Once again Willy was sure he had done very well. Immediately school was over he hurried out to the bike racks. Here he found Stephen and Peter talking.