Back on Track, page 10
Once more she looked away and fiddled with the bracelet. Then something inside her softened and she blurted, “I think you are too.”
They stared at each other a moment, then Dean’s face lit up in a grin. “That’s what my mum always says but she can be a bit biased where I’m concerned.” He crossed his eyes and poked out his tongue.
Lacey laughed.
thirteen
Day One – Travelling South
“What a couple of cute guys.” Birgit slid back into the seat opposite.
Her sudden appearance brought Lacey back to the present.
Birgit winked. “I think we’re both in with a chance there.”
“They seem nice.”
“Nice! That Rhys was hanging on your every word. Not that you said much. Rory and I had a real good chat.” Birgit swallowed the contents of her water glass. “I’d better sober up before we go on this excursion. Shite but that word makes me feel like I’m back at school.”
“It’s called an off-train experience, not an excursion.”
“Experience, excursion, whatever.”
A waiter refilled their water glasses and Birgit put up a hand to stop him leaving while she downed the contents and put her glass out for another refill.
“Thanks very much,” she said when he obliged.
“I hope you don’t think I’m prying, Birgit, but…well, I thought you’d moved in with—”
Birgit’s hand shot up again, stopping just short of Lacey’s nose. “Don’t mention his name. I’m not spoiling this holiday thinking about that gobshite. We’re here to enjoy ourselves. Luckily we’ve found possibly the only two male passengers under thirty-five on board to help us with that.”
Birgit had seemed so in love and had been over-the-top excited about moving in with her partner. It was a shame the relationship had broken up but she was obviously putting it behind her if today’s flirting was anything to go by. Lacey wished she could be as carefree. She wasn’t sure how to take the two Irish chaps though. They’d been good company but there was something about them, or Rory, at least, that wasn’t quite right and she couldn’t put her finger on it. She hoped Birgit wasn’t in for more disappointment.
Judith was glad she’d seated Tien close to the window with her back to Birgit and Lacey’s table. She would not have approved of either young woman’s behaviour. They’d got quite noisy at times, and from the snatches she’d caught of Birgit’s voice she had a few drinks under her belt. Judith was glad the young men had gone and Birgit was sculling water.
The dining car was almost empty. Judith didn’t look back but she had when Ketty and Carlos had first come through. They’d been given a table at the far end of the carriage and Tien had announced that the kind man called Warren and his wife had been seated with them.
Judith was reluctant to move after their big lunch and neither Ning beside her nor Tien opposite appeared to be in a hurry. After her sharp words earlier she’d smoothed the waters with both of them and they’d had a pleasant meal together. Beyond the glass the view was constantly changing and it was easier to pick out more details now that the train didn’t seem to be going quite so fast. The landscape was predominantly long grasses and trees with glimpses of red dirt and the odd smaller bush bright with flowers, giving the appearance of a big mauve lollipop.
“Cows.” Tien tapped the window.
Cattle of various colours were dotted among the trees and then gone from sight.
“No kangaroos,” she sighed. Tien had been watching all through lunch hoping to see one.
“I doubt you’d see a kangaroo,” Judith said. “They’re smaller and we’re moving too fast.”
“Maybe we will see some in Katherine.” Ning gave Tien an encouraging smile.
“Speaking of which, we should be there soon,” Judith said. “Time to go back to our cabins and get organised. I think we’ll be away from the train for quite a while by the sound of it.”
“I hope it’s not too hot,” Ning said.
“We’ll need our hats and sunscreen and water.” As Judith stood she glanced back. Ketty and Carlos were deep in conversation with Warren and his wife but most of the other diners had left. Ahead of them Lacey and Birgit were exiting the dining car.
“Should we remind Miss Clift it’s soon time to get off?” Tien said as she got to her feet.
“I think she’ll manage.” Judith put a gentle hand at Tien’s back to guide her forward.
Since Ketty had broken her wrist back in February Tien had fussed over her a lot more. Ketty was too polite to say but it was obvious to Judith she didn’t appreciate the overzealous attention.
Back in their cabin, Ning and Judith were both ready in quick time and they sat on their couch just as the train passed over a water course with sandy banks and the taller forms of scattered gums throwing dappled shade. The commentary coming from the speaker in the wall mentioned the Katherine River.
“The train is going slow now.” Ning slipped her lanyard around her neck. Caryn had left them one each while they’d been out at lunch. Judith checked the ticket on the end of hers again. The Nitmiluk Gorge rock art cruise they’d chosen had been ticked and they were both allocated to coach four.
She pressed her face to the window. “We must be almost there. I can see the train curving around a bend ahead.”
Behind her Ning’s phone began to beep. Judith sat back, trying to keep her expression neutral.
“We must have signal again.” Ning gave her a nervous glance and dug the phone out of her bag. “There’s been nothing since we left Darwin.”
Judith hadn’t even checked her phone. There was no-one to message her. The only reason she had it in her backpack was so she could take the odd photo. Ning’s phone beeped again.
“Goodness, you’re popular.”
“My family. Excuse me.” Ning turned slightly away and hunched over her phone.
Judith swallowed the niggle of envy that Ning was obviously missed and looked back to the window. They were hardly moving now. The land close to the track was bare of vegetation and they passed some outbuildings and idle rail trucks. This must be the Katherine rail station.
fourteen
Day One – Katherine, NT
Ketty sat beside Ning on the bus, Tien and Judith were together further back, and Carlos had taken a front seat and was chatting to the driver. Ning was in the window seat, but instead of taking in the sights she was tapping on her phone.
“My family,” she’d said apologetically. Her phone had beeped several times and each time she tapped more furiously than the last.
“Is everything all right?”
“Yes, yes.” Ning nodded. “They just want to know why I didn’t answer earlier and what’s happening now.”
“Didn’t you speak to your son this morning?”
“Yes.” Ning nodded distractedly. “He wants to know about the train and my other son is messaging, and my daughter-in-law.”
The phone beeped again.
“Why don’t you turn it off?” Ketty suggested.
Ning gaped at her. “There would be many more messages when I turn it back on.”
Another beep drew her gaze back to the phone.
Ketty had always turned her phone off when she cruised but of course these days a phone was many more things than something to speak on or send messages. Her own was in her bag in case she wanted to take a photo but nonetheless a small burst of frustration niggled in her chest. Not only was Ning missing the sights along the way but Ketty had hoped to take the opportunity to talk a little more about Ning’s retirement while they were sitting together.
It had only been a couple of weeks earlier Ning had stayed on after work and told Ketty what she’d planned. It had come as a complete surprise. When Ketty had realised that was the reason for Ning’s reticence to join the holiday she’d focused on that, urging her long-serving seamstress to come along as a retirement gift. Since then, with orders to finish and trip planning, there’d been no time for chatting. Ketty thought back to the afternoon Ning had announced she was retiring, trying to see what she may have missed. She’d been waiting for a client and thinking about the cocktail dress they were making for her when Ning had said she’d wanted to chat and she’d handed Ketty a small gift, wrapped in tissue.
“That’s kind but—”
“I made it for you.” She’d insisted.
Ketty unfolded the pale pink tissue to reveal a white handkerchief with the letter K embroidered in a swirl of pretty blue stitching. She rubbed the fine cotton between her fingers and peered closer at the embroidery. “It’s beautiful, Ning.”
“I know you prefer handkerchiefs to tissues.”
“There’s nothing nicer than a good-quality handkerchief.” Ketty wrapped it back in the paper. “Thank you.”
“There’s something I need to tell you.”
Ketty faltered at Ning’s troubled expression. “What is it?”
“Ketty, you’ve been so good to me, I feel terribly bad.” Tears brimmed in Ning’s eyes. “I’m sorry, I don’t know how to tell you but…” The tears overflowed.
“What is it?” Ketty’s mind whirled wildly.
“I have decided…” Ning swallowed. “I have decided it’s time to retire.”
“Oh.” The sound puffed over Ketty’s lips like the last pop of a deflating balloon. Of all the things she’d thought Ning might be upset to tell her that had not been one of them. “Is there something wrong?” Ning had worked for Ketty since she’d first opened her shop. She was only fifty-eight and usually in good health and spirits. “Are you unwell?”
“No, nothing wrong.” Ning shook her head vigorously. “But with the baby coming…”
“Not long now.” Ketty smiled encouragingly. They’d been getting weekly updates on the stages of Ning’s daughter-in-law’s pregnancy for several months.
“That’s why I must retire. I want to spend more time…with family.” She was getting more distressed.
Ketty reached an arm around her shoulders. Ning trembled beneath her touch. It had only been five years since Ning’s husband had died. It had been a shock, of course. Their two sons had still been at university. One was working now and the other had nearly finished his degree.
“Can we talk about this?”
Ning shook her head. “No, no. It’s decided. But I will stay as long as I can…until you have someone else.”
“Are you sure, Ning? You could take a holiday when the baby comes. Stay home for a while. We can rearrange—”
“No.” Ning wiped the tears from her face. “I am sure and no, I won’t change. I feel bad telling you now. I haven’t been able to say anything earlier, we’ve been so busy. I don’t want you to be short-staffed.”
“Oh, Ning.” Ketty hugged her. “You’re a wonderful seamstress and a dear friend and I shall miss you but I’d never stop you from doing what you thought was best.”
Ning hesitated, doubt in her eyes, then hugged Ketty back.
“Thank you, Ketty. I always thought you’d retire before me. Things change. Perhaps you won’t need to replace me if you sell.”
Ketty had stepped back. “I’m not selling.”
Ning’s look had changed to puzzlement. “Oh, no.” She’d flapped a hand in the air between them. “It was just something Tien said. It doesn’t matter.”
Ketty frowned as she remembered the end of the conversation. Her after-hours client had arrived and she’d not had the chance to ask Ning exactly what Tien had said. Now they were pulling into the gorge parking area with barely a word spoken between them and Ning was still peering at her phone, only raising her head as the other passengers began to move.
Ketty stepped off the bus and after its almost-too-cold air conditioning the moist heat hit her like a wet towel. Carlos was already off and waiting for them, patting at the perspiration on his neck. Ning unfurled a small fan that she waved in front of her face with one hand, still clutching her phone with the other.
“It’s hotter here than at the train station,” Tien wailed as she and Judith joined them.
“I can’t imagine how hot Lacey is in those thumping boots,” Judith said.
“Oh!” Ning stopped fanning for a minute. “I meant to remind her about sunscreen for her legs.”
They’d all paused earlier at the sight of Lacey stepping from the train wearing frayed denim shorts that barely covered her bottom, her long pale legs reflecting the bright sunlight.
“She has an amazing eye for putting things together,” Ketty said. “That soft cotton shirt was perfect and at least her arms are covered.”
“But not her legs,” Ning said. “She needs sunscreen.”
“She’s an adult,” Judith snapped. “None of us need to be reminded to apply sunscreen.”
“Her boots are sensible in case of snakes.” Tien’s eyes had been wide since they’d first got off the train to be greeted by a sandwich board that said Beware of Snakes. It had taken their collective persuasion to prevent her from bolting back onto the train.
“We’ll be out on the water soon.” Ketty changed the subject, dragging their attention towards the gorge where a boat full of passengers was moving serenely away from the bank, the small ripples behind it the only disturbance on the mirror-like surface of the water.
“Might not mean cooler.” Ning waved her fan harder. Even she had lost her positive outlook since this morning. Ketty wondered about the messages she’d been reading on her phone and hoped everything was all right at home.
“And what about crocodiles?” Tien said. “They can be in the gorge.”
“We won’t be in the water,” Ketty said.
“They can jump.”
“Remember what Caryn said.” Ning patted Tien’s arm. “The boat is very safe.”
“People take these tours every day. I’m sure we’ll be fine,” Ketty soothed. “And the scenery will be amazing.”
“Gosh, I’m dry.” Judith drained the last of her water bottle.
Ketty spied a table set up in the shade. It was laid with a white cloth and set out with jugs of juice and water. On the ground beside it were eskies full of bottled water.
“Let’s top up before we get on our boat,” Ketty said. “Come on, everyone, chins up.” She used her best upbeat voice and led the group forward, trying hard to stifle the niggle of doubt.
Lacey and Birgit were seated in the middle of their boat as it moved slowly away from the bank and out into the gorge. It was warm under the canopy but being on the water gave an illusion of coolness. Their guide was a cheery Jawoyn man who delivered an upbeat safety talk then explained a little about the trip ahead, telling them about the traditional owners, the Jawoyn people, and the name they had for the gorge, Nitmiluk, which meant cicada’s place.
Lacey repeated Nit me look in her head, determined to remember how to say it correctly.
“…the cicada being very significant in the traditional stories from this region,” the guide continued. “You’ll hear them soon.”
Lacey stared at the rock formations and the trees growing from narrow ledges, trying to imagine what it would have been like for someone living here thousands of years ago.
“I’m glad it’s just us.”
Birgit voiced Lacey’s thoughts. They’d chosen to go on a different tour to Miss Ketty and the others. It would take them on to the second gorge. Not that Lacey minded being with her workmates in general but it was a relief to be away from Judith. Their argument played over and over in her mind and Lacey still couldn’t believe she’d found the strength to speak up. Tien’s fears were real to her, and Ning was so kind-hearted that Lacey couldn’t bear to hear harsh words about her. It was also easier to enjoy the tour away from Tien’s anxieties and if the truth be told she was a little intimidated by Carlos’s presence.
When Lacey had stepped off the train that morning they’d all been waiting for her. She’d made a last-minute dash back to her cabin to change from the skirt she’d been wearing to the cut-off denim shorts she’d found in an op shop in Darwin. She’d thought shorts a better option for climbing in and out of boats but the way Judith had stared her up and down, she’d felt like jumping back on the train and hiding.
A helicopter sounded above the drone of the boat motor.
“A pity Rory and Rhys aren’t with us,” Birgit said.
Lacey looked skywards, her heart soaring with the helicopter as it swept across the sky above the gorge. “If I’d had some spare money I’d have taken that helicopter flight.”
“Would you?”
Lacey hadn’t thought about it until Rhys and Rory had explained the possibility of their flight over lunch and then their excitement when they’d got tickets. Their enthusiasm had been infectious and had fired her imagination.
“Flying up there and getting a bird’s-eye view. How amazing would that be?” Lacey’s gaze followed the fast-moving helicopter until it became a pinprick and blended with the vibrant blue sky.
Birgit screwed up her nose. “I don’t like heights.”
Lacey glanced at her friend. “Really?”
“I get a nosebleed on a balcony.”
“I suppose I would be nervous,” Lacey admitted. “But I’d like to give it a try.”
“You should have booked a ticket.”
Lacey’s already warm cheeks felt warmer. “I…not on my budget this month.”
“But Ketty’s picking up the tab for this holiday. There’s nothing much but souvenirs to buy. You should treat yourself to something special. Put it on credit and pay it off when you get back. You’ll probably never do this again.”
“Mmm,” Lacey said vaguely. “There might be something else later.” Which was a lie. The credit card she kept for emergencies was scarily almost maxed out and the council rates notice awaited her return home.
“Would you look at that,” Birgit exclaimed.
Lacey followed the direction of her pointing finger. Their boat was approaching a bend in the gorge and towering above them was a huge sandstone cliff made up of strands and blocks of varying creams, reds and browns. Their guide began to explain some of the rock formations and their significance.
