Page 23

‘I feel as though I’ve gone a bit soft, but I have to agree. It will be a pleasure to have a hot shower. That wind’s cold.’

Despite the cold, the walk west to Simpsons Gap had been easy, a flat walk on a narrow track through magnificent bloodwoods and tall ironwoods that shaded the track from the afternoon sun. The wildlife—more wallabies and many birds— had been active as the strong light faded into late afternoon.

Graysen had been attentive and had stayed by her side for the whole distance, and Sandra knew he’d been concerned about her. She was cross with herself that Paul and Cecily had set her off; it was the first panic attack she’d had for a couple of years. When she called the girls tonight—if there was phone service—she wouldn’t mention it. There was no point in worrying them; she knew they were worried enough about her being on a two-hundred-kilometre trek with a group of strangers. A diverse group of strangers, and despite all the reading that she’d done about the camaraderie that developed in these groups, Sandra had no sense of that yet, apart from Graysen’s kindness.

With a shrug, she kept walking and glanced across at Graysen. It was only early days yet, but she’d keep her distance from Paul.

Different to this morning’s trek, this afternoon they’d stayed near the front of the group, and Andrew and Maggie had taken up the rear. Jodie was in the camp to greet them with a different guide.

‘Sandy, Graysen, this is P.D. He set up the campsite for you.’

‘Hey, there,’ the young indigenous guide nodded at them as he carried a tub of food across to the area under the canopy.

‘Set up? Isn’t it permanent?’ Sandra asked.

‘No, we set it up for each trek. That’s the truck over there in the scrub. Tomorrow after you leave, P.D. and I will pull the camp down, take all our rubbish and restore the bush to its natural state.’

‘You’re a true eco camp then,’ Graysen commented.

‘Yes, enjoy this one. We can get in here easily; there’s a road all the way in, so there’s more facilities.’

‘So, we’re not really remote?’ Sandra asked as she looked around. Four double padded swing seats hung from triangular frames.

‘Not yet, but you will be in a few days, so enjoy the luxury tonight. Seeing you’ve arrived first I’ll show you to your tents and the showers. They’ll be hot by now.’

‘Sounds divine,’ Sandra said.

‘Two buckets per shower,’ Jodie said.

Jodie walked with them over to the tents that were spaced far enough from each other to give the occupants privacy.

That’ll make Paul happy, Sandra couldn’t help thinking, and then pushed the thought away. She was not going to let anyone spoil her trek and take over her thoughts.

Jodie opened the flap of the first tent. ‘This is you, Sandy. Even in the single tents, you have a double bed with a comfy chair to sit in and look out at the view.’ Jodie walked across to the back side of the tent and lifted the flap. ‘If you’d like to roll it up and look at the stars as you sleep, ask Andrew or P.D. and they’ll put it up for you after dinner.’

‘Dinner smells good,’ Graysen commented as Jodie pointed out his tent two along from Sandra’s and then led them across to the temporary shower block.

‘A camp roast tonight with baked yams and potatoes, and steamed greens,’ Jodie replied. ‘And caramel dumplings with custard.’ She must have seen the look on Sandra’s face. ‘Don’t worry you’ll walk it off tomorrow. Also, one thing you need to be very aware of is keeping everything away and secure in camp. No food scraps or wrappers. And make sure your tent is zipped up when you’re in there or when you leave it.’

‘Not leaving a footprint?’ Graysen commented.

‘No, dingoes.’

Graysen looked sceptical, and Sandra wondered if it was just a standard warning. There’d been no sign of dingoes on the trail today.

Jodie quickly showed them the bathroom setup, a shower with two buckets and a pull cord, and a couple of hooks in a narrow tent for hanging towels and clothes. Sandra decided to have a quick shower first up and change into some warmer clothes. The temperature was dropping quickly.

‘You’re welcome to come and join P.D. and Andrew and I in the communal area, or have a rest before dinner. If you’ve prepaid for drinks, they’re in the fridge in the truck. Just let P.D. know what’s yours and he’ll get them out. He’s got a list of who’s paid for what. After dinner, he’ll be giving a talk about the local indigenous culture and customs. So, relax while you can, we have a busy night ahead.’

Sandra caught Graysen’s eye as Jodie walked away. ‘Definitely a five-star resort this one,’ she commented.

‘We’re being very well looked after. How are you feeling now?’ he asked quietly as the two young couples walked into camp together. Paul and Zed were deep in conversation and Cecily and Miska walked behind them.

‘I’m fine. Don’t worry about me please,’ Sandra answered. ‘And thank you for your company this afternoon, but please don’t feel as though you have to look after me. I came on this trek to prove I can be independent, and I will prove it.’

‘Who to?’ he asked.

‘To me.’