“Look around Maggie, can you see any conveniences? You are now in the outback, so like I said – clear safe spot, drop and squat. Now, I don’t fancy your chances of a success first time, it may take a little practise not to get your boots wet. We have the equipment ladies, but unfortunately, not all the steering capabilities of men folk! I suggest for now that you go beside the truck on the other side, so don’t wander too far.”
“It’s not that, Mrs Heppler,” began Maggie, “my steering is just fine, I was brought up in the middle of apple orchards and hop fields with no toilets around. It’s just the dangers I am frightened of…” She looked at the area around her, expecting to see a multitude of snakes and spiders.
“You’ll be fine love, trust me. Off you pop.”
Soon it was time to think about setting up camp. Night fell quickly in the outback and there was only an hour left before it would be pitch black. Mrs Heppler had pushed the pace since leaving the city, fully aware of the time factor, getting off the normal track and sunset. For three of those four hours she was on edge, knowing that they were too exposed. Then into the fourth hour, she allowed herself a small sigh of relief when they turned off and headed deeper into the rugged and harsh terrain. She knew full well that this track wouldn’t be obvious to the likes of Slimeball and once they had driven for another couple of miles Mrs Heppler selected a spot to camp for the night.
Once she stopped driving, she started a small fire. She had already loaded some wood and kindling onto the truck so she wouldn’t have to rummage around too much on the first night. She had also put on soup, damper and billy tea and instructed the girls to set up the swags. It was quite chilly once the sun had gone down so they all put on their jackets as they sat by the fire to eat.
“Quite a day,” said Maggie, as she sipped her first cup of billy tea.
“Now I hope you don’t expect excitement like this every day,” said Mrs Heppler, as she handed out some damper. They all laughed. “Nice to see you’ve brightened up, Emily.”
“Feel much better now Ma, still worried he will come after us though. I hope I’ve done the right thing. He will be so angry.” She peered around into the darkness, half expecting Norman to suddenly appear before their eyes.
“Now don’t you worry yourself too much about that,” said Mrs Heppler, “you did the right thing, you couldn’t carry on like that. After you’ve eaten, I suggest we all get our heads down, it will be a long day tomorrow.”
Maggie and Emily looked at one another and Mrs Heppler read them like a book. “You girls will be fine, just sleep close to the fire and always check your swag before you get inside, that’s the rule.” She prepared the fire for the night and they all climbed into their swags, although Maggie and Emily did so very gingerly, even after they had turned them inside out and back again.
“City girls,” laughed Mrs Heppler and before too long she was snoring away.
Before sunrise she was up and preparing breakfast.
“Good morning ladies,” she said, as the waft stirred the girls from their slumber. She couldn’t help but smile thinking that they both looked like they hadn’t gotten too much sleep. That would soon change, they would settle.
“Morning,” they both responded.
Mrs Heppler snuffed the fire and covered their tracks so well that you couldn’t tell that they had even been there. Then she loaded up the truck and soon they were on their way. Maggie felt surprisingly refreshed after her breakfast, despite her restless night. She assessed their surroundings where three things were apparent.The sheer vastness of the place intrigued her the most as she marvelled at seeing an open landscape for as far as the eye could see. She had never experienced seeing such an expanse without there being anything man-made in between. The second, was the stifling heat; and the third, was the flies. No, she thought after a moment, the flies top the list, the damn things don’t let up for a second.
“Maggie,” said Emily, in a polite voice. “That’s the umpteenth time you have nearly poked my eye out. Try and ignore the flies, I know they are a nuisance; it’s what I hate about the outback. Can you please try and not wave your hands about so wildly, at least inside the truck?”
“Sorry!” Maggie laughed. “I didn’t realise I was doing it. I will try and ignore them. On to Plan B, pass your shotgun Mrs Heppler.” They all laughed.
They saw kangaroos leaping along and the odd bird flying over and once during their journey they saw wild horses. Mrs Heppler said if they were lucky they might see some camels. Maggie looked at Emily and raised her eyebrows in question and Emily nodded it was true.
“What’s the major rule of being out in the bush Emily?” asked Mrs Heppler.
“Water, water and more water,” she stated.
“Very good. Water is mightily important ladies. You can have a fire, you can have food, but water is top of the list. Always remember that. If you break down you shouldn’t leave your vehicle, as it will be easier to spot than you walking alone, and it will provide shelter. Leave the bonnet up, that way someone can tell that you are in trouble.”
“What about snakes and spiders?” asked Maggie, “Think I’d scream and faint on the spot.”
“Goodness me, child. What good is that?” said Mrs Heppler shaking her head. “You will have to get used to the nasties and quickly. Unfortunately, these are part and parcel of Australia and more so on the Station. I’m sure we’ll have plenty of opportunities to see a good few before we arrive. I’ll show you what to do and not to do.”
Maggie smiled nervously. “Looking forward to that.”
“Fear is good Maggie. Fear gets your adrenalin and blood pumping and hopefully this will carry you through in an emergency. But, fear is no good to you when it turns to panic. Remember that. It’s very important that you try and keep calm. Fear turns to panic when you do not know how to deal with the situation. Like I said, we’ll get to see a few before we arrive.”
“Can we have lunch first?”
Chapter Five
“I wish I knew where he was?” Emily said worriedly. “It’s the not knowing. I cannot help but think he will creep up behind us at any moment and what he will do to me when he finally catches up with me…” she brushed away a tear.
“You will be safe on the Station love, please try not to worry too much about it. No more tears, please. Come on, we’re having an adventure here! Rest assured he’ll get what’s coming to him.”
Emily wasn’t so sure.
“Besides,” Mrs Heppler continued, “we have a few extra friends in the truck...”
There was nothing wrong with Maggie’s reflexes as she instantly let out a short sharp scream and leapt up from her seat, nearly banging her head on the roof, as she mistook Mrs Heppler’s statement to mean they had some snakes and spiders on board.
“Bloody hell, Maggie, you will age me tenfold at this rate! Settle down and that’s to the pair of you… I meant this rifle here.” She pointed towards the roof, where a rifle was supported by two material straps. Then she pointed underneath her seat, then to the glove box that Maggie opened to reveal a pistol. “Also, there is a rifle secreted on the inside wall of the truck’s trailer, drivers’ side, and one underneath near the rear left wheel.”
“That many?” asked Maggie.
“That many,” Mrs Heppler confirmed, “you can never be too prepared out here. They are all loaded and ready to go. If you need extra ammo there are three boxes in the glove box. Sorry to go on, but I have to say this to you both for my own sake.”
“Understood Mrs Heppler, thank you.”
“Yes Ma.”
They drove on in silence.
The