AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She shook her head at me as she pointed to her false foot.
“I had some great news today. My friend Grant and some of his family are coming to the conference in Sydney in a few months.”
“That’s great. You’ll love it.” I could see from the look on her face that these people were important to her.
“I was wondering if you would come down while I was there, and we could do the bridge climb?”
“Of course, I will.” I would stay the night as well if I could, but it was the start of an invitation.
I pulled up and grabbed the backpack out of the pickup.
The track meandered through a ravine and then up to a lookout. We saw a koala that had a baby on its back and an echidna. Autumn was like an excited little kid and her enthusiasm was infectious. I took too much of the wildlife for granted living here.
So far, we hadn’t seen any snakes. It was March and autumn, so it was probably too cold for them. I let her walk-in front so she could set the pace plus it meant I got to admire her butt.
When we got to the lookout, we both sat quietly. I thought I could see tears in her eyes.
“You, okay?”
Autumn turned to me and smiled. “It’s beautiful and so vast—the gum trees spreading off into the distance, and the blue haze you read about. Thank you so much for bringing me here. I didn’t realize how much I needed it.”
“Most people go to the main lookout higher up, but it’s always crowded. I thought you would like this place.”
This had been a good choice. I opened the backpack and took out the wine and snacks. I wouldn’t drink too much. It didn’t pay to be unsteady on your feet on a bushwalk. I’d sprained my ankle tripping on a tree root in the past.
“Thanks for sharing this with me. I tended to be a bit of a loner recently back home, so it’s been nice having someone to get me out.”
“If I had an injury like yours, I probably wouldn’t be doing much either. I think you’re bloody brave coming to the other side of the world. Mad trusting yourself to my navigation skills, but that’s another story.”
Autumn laughed. “I used to love hiking before the accident. My husband was never interested but I liked the solitude. I could walk for miles and let my mind wander as well as my feet.”
“It’s good to take time out. I don’t do it enough these days.” She went quiet for a bit.
“Thanks for not asking about my foot. I had a car accident a few years back. It was a hard time, and I had to learn how to walk again. Trust me, I looked like a waddling duck at times.”
“I’m sure you had a very attractive waddle.” I gave her a nudge. “As a kid, I used to go out on my bike through the hills around the Dandenongs in Melbourne. My brother and I came off a few times and caused Mom stress.” I hadn’t meant to mention my family mainly because I didn’t want to burden her with it.
“I hope your mom’s better. Dorothy mentioned she’d been ill. I don’t mean to pry though.”
“Thanks for asking. She is. Had some kidney issues but the doctors have it sorted. She keeps hoping I’ll go home.” I raised my eyes at the prospect.
“But you don’t want to because of what happened with your friend? Sorry, I shouldn’t intrude.” Autumn sipped on her wine and her gaze fell to her cheese and crackers.
“It’s fine. I’m really happy here, and I don’t think things are ever the same when you go back. Moving on changes you.”
“I hope so.”
The two of us sat for a while longer until the shadows started to lengthen.
“We should head off or we’ll be walking in the dark.”
We started down the track, taking in our surroundings and the sounds of the bush—the birds and cicadas. I was tempted to take her hand.
A little way along, I put my hand up to stop her.
There was silence. I had experienced this once before.
Something was wrong.
