Flight of the Jabiru (41 page)

April 1942

“This picnic is a wonderful idea, Rick,” Lara said, sitting on a blanket under a shady gum tree that overhung the billabong. It was Sunday afternoon, but she'd had a busy school week and had organized a football game the previous day after Colin had purchased a ball from the store in Corroboree billabong.

Betty had prohibited him from going to the city, even though it was under military rule, because it was still deemed unsafe for civilians. But supplies were once again getting through and Gerry Eeles at the Corroboree store was getting enough to supply Shady Camp. The children played a game of football amongst themselves, but then the adults joined in, fielding a grown up team to play the students. Rick was referee, because he couldn't play with his shoulder injury, and Lara was scorekeeper. The game was very entertaining. When the adult men ran out of puff, which didn't take very long at all, they reverted to openly cheating. The main culprits were Colin and Charlie. Despite their best efforts and some rather inventive methods of bending the rules that included hiding the ball, tripping the children up, or holding them down so they couldn't get the ball, they lost the game. The women fell over laughing at their antics, but everyone enjoyed themselves immensely.

“It is very pleasant,” Rick said absently looking up into the boughs of the tree with a strange expression on his face.

“What are you thinking?” Lara asked as she opened their picnic basket. The women had donated fresh fruit and baked goodies, and Lara had made sandwiches. Betty had supplied a piece of cheese, cut from the first slab they'd been able to get for weeks, and Monty had given them a bottle of wine.

“I was just remembering climbing into a tree that high from my boat after running out of fuel.”

“That was the day Ross Crosby told you that I was still alive,” Lara said, looking up into the tree. “How did you get from the boat into such a tall tree?”

“I threw a rope over a bough and then pulled myself up to the branches. It wasn't easy, as my arm was killing me. As I was climbing over the water between the boat and land, the bough I was on started to crack. It was a terrifying moment.”

“Oh, Rick,” Lara said.

“There wasn't any way I was going to climb back into that tree to get onto my boat with a can of fuel.”

“The fuel Jerry drained from his vehicle,” Lara said, remembering his generosity.

“Yes, I gave it to Rex, and he took me to my boat in his boat and then towed my boat back to Shady Camp.”

“Promise me you won't do anything as dangerous ever again,” Lara said.

“You don't have to worry about that,” Rick said, kissing her. “We've got a long life ahead of us, and I mean to enjoy every moment with you.”

Lara handed him a sandwich.

“Have you heard from your father yet?” Rick asked. He knew she'd posted him a letter the day after they became engaged.

“No, but hopefully I'll get one soon.”

“This war is playing havoc with the mail, but I'm sure it will get through, eventually.”

“I can't imagine getting married without my dad, Rick. I don't want him to travel until its safe, though.”

“We don't know when that will be,” Rick said. He knew a wedding without Walter wouldn't have the same meaning for Lara.

“I know and it's frustrating,” Lara said. “I can't wait to be your wife. Speaking of wives, Betty has given Colin an ultimatum. Either he leaves town with her, or she'll go and take the children. She's had enough. She's frightened for the children and she's fed up with the heat and running the store by herself, as well as doing all her home duties, while Colin drinks with Monty.”

“I don't blame her,” Rick said. Since he hadn't been doing fishing charters because of the war, Rick had helped Betty out quite a bit, while Colin idled his days away in the pub. He'd done any heavy lifting she required, and tended her vegetable garden. He'd even rebuilt the chicken coup, which had been falling down.

“I don't blame her, either,” Lara said. “There's talk that Patty and Don McLean might take over running the store temporarily, until new people can be found, but nothing is certain yet.”

“There's not much chance anyone new will come to this town with the Japanese still bombing the north of Australia,” Rick said.

“I don't suppose so. Colin and Betty are going to be missed. I'll miss their children at school, too. I just hope the government doesn't close the school because losing four children is a big loss for such a small school.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

May, 1942

“It's starting to get really hot,” Jonno complained to Rex. He knew Rex would make him row the full half a mile back to the Shady Camp jetty with some feeble excuse about a twinge in his back.

“We've caught enough fish to call it a day,” Rex said, looking into the bucket where they had six good-sized barras. He then glanced at his watch. It was almost eleven o'clock. They'd been out on the billabong since just after sun up, so that was quite a few hours. The sun was getting high in the sky, with a real sting in it, and the flies and mosquitoes were irritating.

“Isn't that Charlie's boat over there?” Jonno said, squinting because of the glare on the water. He was looking past trees that were overhanging the billabong about fifty yards away, to where a boat was moored.

Rex shaded his eyes and looked in the direction that Jonno was pointing. “Yeah, but that's not Charlie,” he said. “It looks like Rick Marshall. He must've borrowed Charlie's dinghy.”

“And his fishing hat,” Jonno added.

“The hat would've been in the boat,” Rex said.

“Hey, Rick,” Jonno called loudly. He whistled loud enough to send many birds into flight.

Rick turned around and waved, and they waved back.

As Jonno and Rex reeled in their lines and packed away their tackle and lures, Rick began rowing towards them. He had to go around a patch of large, flowering water lilies.

“Did you catch much?” Rex called to him.

“One big barra, a tarpon and a few saratogas,” Rick called back. He stopped rowing about fifteen yards away and lifted the barra off the floor of the boat. “This one was too big to fit into the bucket,” he shouted, holding up an enormous fish with a proud grin on his face. The slippery fish almost slid from his hand. “What about you?”

“Six barras. They're a good size, but not as big as that one,” Jonno called back. “We're about to call it a day. How about you?”

“I'll fish for another hour and then pack it in, too,” Rick said.

“We'll see you back at the pub for a coldie this afternoon,” Jonno shouted as he picked up the oars.

“You betcha. If you see Lara, tell her we've got plenty of fish for dinner tonight,” Rick called back happily.

“Will do,” Jonno said.

Suddenly they heard a whoosh of water and their heads snapped around in Rick's direction again. One of the biggest crocs they'd ever seen had leapt from its hiding place amongst the lilies, its target the fish Rick was holding aloft. It snapped its jaws closed on the barra. Rick fell backwards with his forearm caught in the croc's mouth. Jonno and Rex heard Rick scream in alarm and agony, as the croc crashed onto the side of the small dinghy, breaking his arm with an audible crack and overturning the boat before taking him into the water.

“Christ almighty?” Rex gasped as all color drained from his face.

Jonno's jaw dropped in shock. They both stared at the foaming, swirling water as the croc did the death roll, flicking Rick over and over, before disappearing below the surface. Seconds seemed like hours as they waited to see if Rick surfaced, knowing there was little chance that would happen. Jonno pulled himself together and swung into action. Using an oar, he maneuvered the boat around to face Charlie's boat, which was floating upside down, and began rowing as hard as he could. His heart was racing, his breathing erratic and he was struggling with the oars. When he got near Charlie's boat he started smashing the water with the oar and yelling. After a few futile seconds, he stopped, exhausted and out of breath.

“Can you see Rick?” Rex called anxiously.

“No,” Jonno gasped, cautiously peering into the water. “Christ almighty, Rex. I can't believe what just happened.” He was heaving to catch his breath.

“Neither can I, but he's gone, Jonno,” Rex said in shock. “He's really gone.”

Stunned, Jonno's expression was blank. The water all around them was blood red. “Oh, God,” he groaned, shaking his head, unable to get the horrible image of Rick being attacked out of his mind. He looked at Rex. They both knew there was nothing they could do. “Did you see the size of that bastard,” he said in disbelief. “In all the years I've been fishing on this billabong I've never seen such a monster.” He shuddered.

“Neither have I,” Rex said incredulously. Something caught his eye as it drifted alongside the boat. He leant forward and fished it from the water. It was Charlie's hat. In distress they looked at the overturned dinghy. The water around it appeared to be calm, like nothing violent had occurred just seconds earlier.

There was no evidence of Rick.

Charlie was fishing from the jetty when Jonno and Rex got back.

“Have you seen Rick?” he called to them. “I want to go out in my boat for awhile.”

Jonno glanced at Rex and they both dropped their heads.

“Your boat won't be coming back, Charlie,” Jonno said, feeling numb. He and Rex hadn't spoken all the way back. They got out of the boat and stood on the jetty, looking off into the distance. They still couldn't comprehend what had happened.

“And neither will Rick,” Rex added gravely.

“What do you mean?” Charlie asked. “What's happened?” By now he could see that Jonno and Rex were in a state of shock.

“One of the biggest crocs I've ever seen attacked Rick in the boat. It tipped your boat over and took Rick.”

“What? No,” Charlie gasped, going pale. “He's ... gone?”

“Yes, it happened only a few yards from us. We saw the whole thing,” Jonno said. “It was shocking. We've seen some big crocs over the years, but this one was a monster. Rick didn't stand a chance.”

“Oh, God,” Charlie said. He glanced towards the schoolhouse. “Who's going to tell Lara something like that?”

“I've been thinking about that,” Rex said. “I think it should be Betty. Lara will need a woman with her when she hears such shocking news.”

Charlie agreed, and so did Jonno.

Betty was serving Doris Brown when Charlie, Rex, and Jonno entered the store. The women were chatting about recipes, so the three men stood silently waiting. Betty sensed something was wrong because they were too quiet and she'd never known them to be so solemn.

“What's up with the three of you?” she asked. “Has the pub run dry?”

“We need to speak to you about something,” Rex said seriously.

They had Betty's attention. “Is Colin all right?”

“Yes, he's fine,” Rex said.

“Then what's wrong? Spit it out.”

Rex glanced at Doris. He knew she'd soon find out what had happened so it made no difference if it was now. “Jonno and I were out fishing a little while ago and we saw Rick fishing in Charlie's boat.”

“There's nothing unusual in that,” Betty said casually.

“He...” Jonno faltered, his emotions almost overcoming him. “He was taken by a crocodile, Betty,” he blurted out. Unable to keep his emotions in check, he left the store before he broke down in front of the women.

Betty looked at Rex for a moment, hoping she'd heard incorrectly. “What ... did he say?”

“We saw it happen, Betty, just a few yards from us,” Rex said.

“No,” Betty said in distress. “He's all right, isn't he?”

“No, Betty. Rick is gone.”

Doris swayed and reached out for the counter to steady herself.

“It was horrible, Betty,” Rex added. “Rick was in Charlie's boat, holding a big barra up to show us. He was so proud of the fish. The croc leapt from the water and grabbed the fish, and Rick's arm, and overturned the boat. There was blood everywhere.”

“Oh, God, no,” Betty said, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Is there any chance Rick survived?”

“No,” Rex said, shaking his head.

Betty covered her face with her hands for a few moments. “Poor Rick ... poor Lara,” she said.

“We ... we think you should be the one to tell her, Betty. She'll need a woman to comfort her,” Rex said.

Betty dabbed her tears. “How am I going to do that? She loves Rick so much. They're engaged to be married,” she said emotionally. “Oh, God, why did this have to happen?”

“We know it will be hard, Betty. I'm sorry for asking,” Rex said. “If you don't want to, we'll understand. We'll do it.”

“No, I'll go,” Betty said, undoing her apron. She couldn't trust something like this to the men in town.

“I'll go with you, love,” Doris said sadly.

“Thank you, Doris,” Betty said, grateful for the support.

On the way to the school, the women discussed what to do as Lara was taking a class.

“I'll ask her to come to the rectory with me,” Betty said. “She can't hear this shocking news in front of the children. After we've gone, you tell Jiana what has happened and tell her that Lara won't be taking the class for a few days,” she added.

Lara was surprised to see Betty and Doris enter the schoolroom. They did their best to hide their feelings.

“I need to talk to you in the rectory, Lara?” Betty said, trying to keep her voice steady and not cry.

Lara sensed something was wrong and immediately thought it had something to do with Charlie. Then she had a terrible thought.

“My father is okay, isn't he?” She followed Betty into the rectory. She thought a telegram might've come from England and been delivered to the store.

“I wouldn't know,” Betty said.

Lara relaxed. “I was worried for a moment. I haven't heard from him, but then the mail is probably slow due to the war. Are you okay, Betty? You don't look well.”

“I ... don't feel the best, Lara,” Betty said, sitting down at the kitchen table. “Please sit with me.”

Lara did as she asked. “Would you like a cup of tea?” She went to get up again.

“No,” Betty said, suddenly lost for words as she reached out to hold Lara's hand and prevent her getting up. She hadn't failed to notice that Lara glanced out of the kitchen window before she sat down. She was looking for Rick on the jetty. Betty suddenly started crying. She couldn't help it.

Lara stood up and came to stand beside her, putting an arm around her. Betty clung onto her, shaking. She'd become very fond of Rick and she knew she was about to break Lara's heart into a million pieces.

“Whatever is the matter, Betty?” Lara asked, rubbing her back.

“Sit down, Lara,” Betty sobbed.

It was at that moment that Lara realized Betty was upset for her, and there could only be one reason for that. If her father was all right, then that meant something had happened to Rick. Her heart started racing so fast that she thought she might faint.

“Betty, don't say it,” she said. “Don't tell me something has happened to ... Rick. I don't want to hear it.” She covered her ears. “I won't listen.”

Betty looked at her with tears streaming down her face.

Lara knew it was very serious or Betty would've said otherwise. “No,” she said, looking back at her, her blue eyes sparkling with tears. “No,” she said, standing up.

Betty got to her feet. “I'm sorry, Lara. I'm so sorry.” She went to embrace her but Lara collapsed.

“It's the shock,” Jerry said, standing over Lara's bed. Betty was worried sick because Lara had fainted and hadn't yet come round and it had been an hour. Luckily Jerry had come to town. His mother, Beatrice, was with him. She'd come up from Mount Bundy on a supply truck. At first he'd been upset to see his mother in the wetlands because he wasn't certain it was safe, but by now he enjoyed her professional support.

“I don't have any smelling salts, but quite frankly I think she's better off in a faint than she would be dealing with the horrible reality of Rick's death.”

“You are probably right,” Betty said.

“What happened?” Jerry asked. “Colin mentioned he was attacked by a crocodile. In his line of business, you'd think he'd be extra careful.”

Betty led Jerry and Beatrice into the kitchen, just in case there was a chance that Lara would overhear her. “He was showing Jonno and Rex a barra he'd caught. They were in a boat nearby. As he held it up, an enormous crocodile leapt out of the water to take the barra and got his arm at the same time. It took Rick into the water and overturned the boat. Lara doesn't know the details. Because Rick trapped crocodiles she knew he'd been taken by one.”

“That must've been a shocking way to go,” Beatrice said, shuddering at the thought.

“Poor Lara,” Jerry said, knowing how upset she must be. “We'll get her through this,” he added.

Lara opened her eyes in the evening to find a strange lady sitting beside her.

“Welcome back,” Beatrice said kindly.

Lara looked at her in confusion. “Who are you?” She glanced around, recognizing her bedroom.

“Beatrice Quinlan. My friend's call me Bea. I'm Jerry's mom. Would you like a drink of water?” She poured a glass from the pitcher beside the bed, and handed it to Lara, who sat up and drank. Then reality hit her hard. “Rick!” she cried, collapsing back onto the bed and began sobbing.