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Kane ran past the SUV and came to a sudden halt. The vehicle had a large metal hook attached to the bull bar on the front. He ran to the back of the car and flung the door open, and spotted the quick access toolbox in the spare wheel compartment.

Please.

He grabbed the snatch strap, ran to the helicopter and threw it in. Back at the edge of the water, he cupped his hands to his mouth. ‘Ellie!’

His call disturbed a flock of cockatoos in a tree above the helicopter. They squawked raucously as they lifted off and flew over him to a large dead tree on the other side of the river.

‘Grab the rope when I drop it to you.’ He pointed to the helicopter and relief flooded through him when she gave him the thumbs up. After securing the strap to the skids, he looked across to the hut. There’d been no time to tell David his idea once he spotted the snatch strap, but this wouldn’t take long.

Seconds later, the chopper lifted with the rope stretched out beneath the skids as he gained height.

Holding it in a hover was the easy part. Judging the right distance so Ellie could grab the nylon webbing was harder. He shoved the door open and leaned over.

‘Shit.’ He was too low and about ten metres too far into the river. The snatch strap was in the water.

Using his hands and feet, he manoeuvred the bird until he was directly above her, and held it in a hover for the second time. He held his breath as Ellie grabbed for the strap as it swung past her head.

She missed it. The wash from the rotors was ruffling the water and the strap swayed as it caught in the downdraft. Kane held his breath as it swung back towards her.

‘Good girl.’ On the second pass Ellie grabbed for it and held it. He watched as she wrapped the end of the strap around her waist and looped it over before she raised her arms, and held on. She put her head back and nodded as she held the now taut strap with both hands. It was a delicate dance of precision as his feet moved on the foot controls and his hand gripped the cyclic. He did it all by feel, not once taking his eyes off Ellie as she lifted from the roof of the submerged helicopter. Slowly and carefully, the bird responded to his deft movements as Ellie spun slowly above the water.

Seconds later, she was above the ground, well away from the water’s edge, and as he lowered the bird slowly, she slipped out of the strap onto the bank.

But his relief was short lived, as she crumpled to the ground.

*

Ellie opened her eyes to the sound of running feet. The ground was hard beneath her back and her head ached.

‘Ellie. Can you hear me?’

She put her hands to her face and stared up at Kane as he dropped to his knees beside her. Gentle hands ran over her body.

‘I’m okay. It’s only my head, but it’s not too bad.’

‘What happened?’

‘I clipped a tree on the way down.’ Ellie pushed herself up and clung to him. She pushed her face into his neck, and his warmth and the smell of his skin soothed her. Her lips trembled and she held him tightly as she fought for control.

‘He killed my father.’

‘Shh. It’s okay. You’re okay.’

‘It’s not fucking okay.’ She pulled her head back and her voice broke as it got louder. ‘He told me my eyes were like Dad’s as he put the noose around his neck.’

Ellie buried her face in his neck again and a sob escaped her lips.

‘I’ll help you find out what happened. I promise.’

She closed her eyes as Kane lifted her into his arms and began to walk towards the hut. ‘But first we have to help David. Gina is in labour.’

The door was open and he walked inside, putting her down gently on the floor beside a low bed where Gina lay.

David was beside Gina and he reached up and took Ellie’s hand. ‘You’re okay?’

‘I’m okay.’ She leaned down and spoke to Gina. ‘Are you?’

‘The pains have eased a bit.’ Gina reached out and touched her face. ‘How can I ever thank you, Ellie? And Kane, you, too.’