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Standley Chasm 9.00p.m.
Sandra hurried back to the campsite and was pleased to see Graysen still sitting there talking to Clive and Jenny. Jodie was collecting coffee cups and there was no sign of Andrew or P.D. or Maggie. The campsite was on Aboriginal land and there was no alcohol permitted.
Zed and Miska, and Cecily and Paul seemed to have made up their differences and were walking towards the track to the chasm. Despite Paul and Cecily’s turnaround, Sandra was still wary.
She had a long memory.
‘Did you get onto your family?’ Graysen asked as she sat in the same chair she’d vacated. The fire had died down and was now a pile of glowing coals. Most of the lights had gone out around the campsite, and the sky was even brighter.
‘I did. Everyone’s fine.’
‘Good to hear.’
‘I’m going to grab my tripod and my night lens and walk up to the chasm. Do you want to come for a walk, Sandra, or is it too cold for you?’
‘I’d love to. I want to squeeze every minute and every sight I can out of this trek.’
‘Make sure you take a flashlight,’ Jenny said. ‘I’d hate to see you break a leg or something.’
‘Or a hip?’ Sandra giggled. ‘Cecily’s already warned me about that. Sorry. I’m being naughty.’
‘I have a memory like an elephant,’ Jenny said. ‘Anyone who does their dash with me, I don’t forget.’
‘Must be a female thing. I was just thinking the same, unfortunately,’ Sandra said.
‘Yep, we’re intuitive. That’s why women make the best detectives.’ Jenny nudged Clive. ‘No matter what the opposition says, hey, my dear? My intuition stood me in good stead in my career, and there’s just something about that pair that’s not quite right.’
‘Now Jenny, we need to be tolerant,’ Clive said.
‘Takes all kinds,’ Sandra agreed.
‘Do you want to get another jacket, Sandra? I’ve got a good LED flashlight in my kit,’ Graysen said. ‘That’ll light our way.’
‘We went for a stroll down to the chasm before dinner,’ Clive said. ‘A flat easy walk, but we missed the best part of the day when the sun peeks through the narrow gap.’
‘Yes, I’ve seen photos taken at noon, but not the real thing,’ Graysen said. ‘I might come back here after the trek and walk down in the middle of the day.’
‘Sounds like a plan. We might hang around for a few days too. I know Clive wants to go to the museums in Alice. Okay, we’re off to bed. See you both in the morning.’ Jenny smiled at Sandra and her eyes held a twinkle.
Sandra waited by the fire and warmed her hands over the coals while Graysen went to get his photographic gear.
He was back quickly, carrying a tripod and a larger camera bag. ‘I haven’t done a lot of astrophotography so this is a practice run for me. It could take a while to get the settings right, so if you’d rather go to bed early—?’
‘If you’d rather go by yourself, just say.’
He shook his head. ‘I’d love you to keep me company.’
‘Well then, I’d love to come.’ Sandra stood and zipped up her hoodie and pulled the hood up over her hair.
‘I’m pleased.’ Graysen slung the bag over his right shoulder and held out his left hand. Her hand fit into his naturally.
‘I’m going to stay around a few days after the trek too. If you’d like more company. . .’ she ventured.
‘Sounds like a good plan to me.’
As they walked along past the café to the beginning of the track, Graysen’s hand tightened on hers a little. ‘I hope you don’t think I’m being a bit over-the-top saying this, but meeting you on the trek has really increased my enjoyment. You’re excellent company.’
