Back on Track, page 22
“How?” Lacey shook her head. “I didn’t—” She stopped and looked Judith squarely in the face. “I wouldn’t intentionally do anything to hurt Dean.”
Judith sniffed. “The damage is done now.”
“What damage? What’s happened?”
“You broke his heart.”
“I…” Lacey gaped at Judith. “How?”
“Oh, for goodness sake. Leading him along, letting him think you’d have a relationship and then calling it off.”
“I didn’t!”
The vehemence in Lacey’s response silenced Judith a moment then she slowly shook her head. “Well, something went wrong,” she muttered.
Lacey’s heart broke all over again. “It did but I don’t know what,” she murmured.
A puzzled look crossed Judith’s face then she turned away.
Lacey studied the ground around her feet. Several ants travelled back and forth moving a tiny crumb; a large, flat brown-and-white striped beetle scuttled from under a rock into the shade of another; and a small moth flitted from plant to plant. She watched each tiny movement. How much easier to be an insect. No money troubles, broken hearts or lonely days for them.
A cricket chirruped and voices carried in the distance.
“I don’t want a fuss.” Judith bent down and pulled her sock back on and Lacey was left to wonder what she meant.
Judith stood. “I’m going back to the bus.”
Lacey pulled her left lace tight and bit back the urge to scream, from her annoyance at Judith’s frustrating lack of empathy and from the burning pain in her feet. By the time she’d done up the right laces she was in agony. She rose slowly to her feet and the pain ratcheted up another notch forcing her to sit again immediately.
“What’s the matter?” Judith asked.
“My feet…I think I’ll wait here for Gregor and Vance. I might be the one needing their help.”
The first of the walkers went past and waved. Judith turned back to Lacey. The stern look on her face made Lacey’s heart hammer a little harder.
“If it’s that bad you should take those boots right off,” Judith said. “We’ll wait for the two men to come back. They might be able to patch you up enough to get you back to the bus.”
Judith stood guard, literally, warding off anyone showing the slightest hint of good Samaritan intentions.
“We don’t want a fuss, do we?” she’d muttered after she’d reassured the tour guide they were waiting for friends with fresh plasters and then they’d make their way back.
Gregor and Vance returned and removed Lacey’s boots and socks to reveal a blister on each heel, one on the ball of her left foot and one each on her middle and small right toes. They’d tutted, cleaned and patched and then insisted on doing the same with Judith’s foot. By the time they’d finished Judith and Lacey were able to ease their footwear back on and walk gingerly back to the bus. The rest of the passengers were already aboard and the tour guide was at the door waiting for them.
Judith was first up the steps and took an empty single seat part way along. Lacey felt the eyes of the rest of the travellers follow her as she walked along the aisle nearly to the back before she came to the next vacant seat. The two men sat opposite her.
“Okay?” Gregor asked as the bus set off.
“Yes, thank you.” Lacey nodded and turned to the window, worried they’d see the tears in her eyes.
twenty-nine
Day Two – Alice Springs
Ketty had to admit Carlos had been right to encourage her to put her staff issues aside for the moment. Lunch at the desert park had been a convivial affair with good food and good company.
She’d pulled up sharp when they’d first arrived. The tables were arranged in the shade of the sails on one side of the building with a view to the rugged ridges beyond. They were set with white cloths, proper serviettes, gleaming glassware and sparkling silver cutlery. That had been a pleasant surprise but it was the tables themselves that had made her pause. They were round and set to seat at least eight people. If only her group had been on the same tour she could have had them all at her table as she’d been longing for. Not that Tien and Ning, who had been part of her group, had joined them. Ketty and Carlos had sat with Warren and Val and the two women Carlos had met at breakfast. She’d pretended not to notice Tien and Ning stride past to a table several metres away.
She and Carlos had talked about what they’d done during the morning and Val and Warren and the two women had filled them in on the desert park tour. The women were travel companions from Germany on a two-month Australian holiday and raved about what they’d seen so far. Like everyone else they were enjoying the train and daytime tours. They went with Val to look for souvenirs and Carlos excused himself to the bathroom, which left Ketty with Warren.
“Val put up a fuss about the park tour.” Warren shook his head as he watched his wife walk away, chatting animatedly to the other two women. “She’s made some new friends and she loved the bird show.”
“I wish we could do all the tours,” Ketty said. “They all sound interesting. And what a wonderful taste of Australia this whole journey is for the two overseas tourists.”
Warren kept gazing in the direction the three women had gone. “I hope Val doesn’t buy too many more souvenirs. Our cabin’s not big enough to take much more.”
“She obviously enjoys buying things for your grandchildren.”
“She indulges them.” Once more Warren shook his head. “She managed our children so well. Foster kids sometimes come with challenging baggage. I was on the road a lot and then working long hours taking on the business but Val had everything in hand.”
“She was telling me how wonderful you were with your children too.”
“Was she? Must have been a seniors moment.” He quirked his lips. “She’s lost her common sense when it comes to the next generation. All I hear these days is how much I’m not doing.”
Ketty tipped her head to the side. “I’m sure you both do what you can for your grandchildren.”
“It’s never enough for Val.” He let out a long sigh. “We had a good succession plan for our business. Things went smoothly, although our son still needs my help in the shop from time to time. I was looking forward to retirement. To travels like this with Val, improving my golf game, catching up with mates, learning some new skills. We went to Thailand once years ago. I enjoyed the food. I’ve always thought I might do a cooking class but…”
Ketty thought of her neighbour Maurice, how he drifted around home rudderless, driving Lee crazy. The way Val had spoken over breakfast, Warren sounded the opposite and yet…
“Sounds like you have lots to keep you busy,” she said.
“I try but Val has other ideas.”
Ketty’s tour leader announced their departure would be in five minutes and they should head to the bus soon and Carlos was making his way back towards her.
“Bother,” she muttered.
“Not ready to go?”
“Oh, yes, it’s just— I’d better go to the bathroom first.” She’d really rather have been talking to Warren a little longer. She wanted to hear more about why he and Val were paddling in opposite directions.
“Where to next for you?” Warren asked as she stood up.
“The reptile park, I think.”
“We’re heading up to Anzac Hill.”
Carlos arrived back at the table.
“I’ll meet you on the bus,” she said. As she hurried to the bathroom she saw Val leaving the souvenir shop, another bag in her hand.
Instead of taking in the 360-degree view from the top of Anzac Hill, Judith was off to one side in the shade of a tree staring fixedly at the mountain range that edged Alice Springs. She was keeping away from Lacey, the concerned tour guide and the two pharmacists. Lacey because she didn’t want to talk to her if she could help it and the other three because she didn’t want any more embarrassing fuss about her foot.
“Excuse me.”
Judith started and glanced sideways at the man who’d come up beside her. She’d noticed him earlier among the group from her bus. Tufts of hair stuck out from under his cap and his accent had reminded her of Klaus.
“Would you mind taking a photo for me, please?” He held a battered phone towards her.
“I’m not much of a photographer,” she blustered.
“It’s not difficult. Just point and click.” He continued to hold the phone out.
“All right.”
He handed it over then stepped away. “Me at the side with the ranges beyond, please.”
Holding the phone out in front of her, she lined up the photo as he’d asked and tapped the button. “Shall I take another?”
“Thank you.”
She shifted to a slightly different angle and pressed the button again. “I hope they’ll be what you want.”
He took the phone from her and peered at the screen. “Very good, thank you.” He looked up and smiled. “I’m Erik.”
“Judith.”
“Can I take a photo for you, Judith?”
“Oh, no, I don’t need…” Judith glanced around at all the people snapping photos in every direction. She could get one to send to Dean, she supposed. “All right, yes, thank you.” She handed him her phone.
Erik looked at the view, asked her to shift a little to the right then lined up the photo.
“I took several,” he said as he handed it back. “How are your feet?”
“My feet?” Judith glanced down, wondering if the plasters were showing.
“Our tour guide said you and the young lady had both hurt your feet back at the gap…when we were waiting for you on the bus.”
“Oh.” Judith was mortified. That’s why all eyes had been focused on her when she’d stepped onto the bus. She’d sunk into the first empty seat she’d seen. “It’s not that bad, really, just a scrape that began to rub along with a bit of a sore ankle. I’m fine.”
“And the young lady?”
Judith followed his gaze. Lacey was sitting on a seat and one of the pharmacists was chatting to her.
“She ended up with several blisters. I suspect walking is quite painful even with plasters covering them.”
“That’s bad luck. It’s a shame to spoil this journey. But then life often gives us surprises.” He glanced back to the view they’d both just photographed.
Judith thought she’d move on but his look had been full of despair and she found herself stuck to the spot, not sure whether to stay or go.
“The train has been interesting, hasn’t it? The train itself then all these tours,” she blurted. “I’ve never been to the middle of Australia before – have you?”
She watched his shoulders rise and fall as if he’d blown out a breath then he turned back. “Not here but I’ve spent a lot of time in remote South Australia. We…my wife and I lived in Coober Pedy for over twenty years.”
“I don’t suppose you’ll want to sightsee tomorrow then.” She smiled. “You’ll have seen it all.”
“It’s several years since I left.” He shrugged. “Maybe there is change.”
“Is your wife with you?”
He shook his head. “No longer.”
Judith winced. His wife’s death was still raw, judging by the sorrowful look on his face, and she would guess he wasn’t yet sixty despite his weathered appearance. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
He shrugged. “Thank you. Life is what it is.”
Judith tried to think of something less fraught to talk about. “Where do you live now?”
“Near Adelaide, a small place called Freeling.”
Judith shook her head. “I’ve not heard of it.”
“It’s a small rural area in South Australia. Not a long way from Adelaide though.”
“I’m from Sydney.”
“Ahh.” Erik nodded sagely as if that was the answer to everything. “They say they’re taking us to the town centre next. Maybe the young lady needs to purchase some different footwear.”
Judith turned. Lacey was making her way towards the bus. She cut a forlorn figure, moving painstakingly slowly. Judith was torn between hanging on to the anger she felt for Lacey and empathising with her. There was only a small spot now on one of Judith’s feet that rubbed but Lacey’s had been covered in blisters.
Erik stepped forward. “Perhaps I could offer an arm—”
“No…thank you.” Judith pursed her lips. “I’ll go.” She’d only taken two steps when there was a yell and Birgit ran across the open space, grabbed Lacey and began to talk animatedly. Another bus had pulled in, obviously with the group from the camel ride as the two young Irish men were there as well, dawdling along behind Birgit. Honestly, that girl was a flirt. Judith hadn’t ever realised it before.
Lacey was shaking her head vigorously but Birgit was waving her arms about and next thing the two men had Lacey in a fireman’s lift and were carting her towards the bus. Judith was sure Lacey would not like the attention but at least her feet would thank her for it.
It seemed to Ketty that most of the tour groups were spending the last part of the day in and around the centre of Alice Springs. Their bus had stopped in a side street just behind another bus and she could see a third pulling away up ahead. People looking decidedly like tourists from the Ghan wandered in small clusters in every direction. They’d been given the choice of an hour’s stroll around the town or going back to the train. She and Carlos had opted to go back to the train so were waiting on the bus, but most people were staying in the town centre.
Ning and Tien had been waiting when the bus pulled up. Tien had refused point blank to enter the reptile park so the two women had walked to the town centre instead. Ketty had felt rather on edge herself as they’d viewed the collection of Australia’s most deadly snakes. Tien would most definitely not have been able to set one foot inside. She pushed her concerns for her staff from her mind and turned to Carlos.
“You know, I’ve been thinking…”
Carlos smiled. “I never know whether to be excited or alarmed when you start a sentence like that.”
“I hope excited.”
“Go on.”
“I think we should stay on in Adelaide for a bit longer after Celia and Jim’s celebration. I haven’t been back to South Australia in years. I’d like to visit some old haunts again, show you some of the sights.”
“I’d like that. And hopefully my case will have been found and caught up with me by then.”
“If not, Adelaide has plenty of shops.”
“Looks like there are a few shops here.” Carlos leaned over Ketty and peered out the window.
“I suppose there are if it’s the town centre,” Ketty said. “And it seems Ning and Tien have bought some things. They’ve both got more shopping bags than they had before.”
He leaped to his feet. “I think I’ll stay in town then, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course not, do you want me to come—”
“No, no.” He waved her back, the gold of his watch glinting in the sunlight. “I need to get a couple of things to make do until they find my case.”
“I thought you were managing without it.”
“I thought so too but I’m running low on some essentials. It’s a good chance to pick up some things.”
“Are you sure?”
“I am, I’ll see you in a while.” He took his phone from his pocket as he strode forward and off the bus.
Ketty was relieved. She’d done enough walking for today and was keen to get back and relax before they went out for dinner tonight. Then she recalled Judith’s mention of Carlos’s failed card and lurched forward. She wondered if he’d take hers to get his essentials. She searched the people moving along the path below but he’d already disappeared from view.
“Have you been shopping?” Ketty asked as Tien and Ning drew level with her.
They both nodded, Ning with the added extra of a smile, but instead of taking the seat opposite they moved further down the bus.
Ketty definitely had some fences to mend. She was pinning her hopes on tonight’s dinner. She’d heard a few rumours about what was involved from other passengers and she hoped to confirm with the steward on the train. Another reason to get back there as soon as possible.
Judith kept a discreet distance as she followed the man with the phone pressed to his ear. There were enough people about and Carlos was tall enough that she could keep him in view without him being aware. Not that he was taking in his surroundings. He appeared to be caught up in the call, occasionally waving a hand in the air, then stopping abruptly, forcing the groups of people behind him to walk around him.
Judith stopped too, turning to study the window of the shop beside her. It was a bank. She read posters about home loans and credit cards while keeping a watch on Carlos. His call had ended because he was holding his phone in front of him now, studying it closely. He looked up and down the street. Judith sucked in a breath but he didn’t appear to have noticed her. She froze as he began walking quickly towards her but thankfully he was staring at his phone. Then he stopped abruptly, turned back the way he’d come and continued on around the corner.
Judith walked to the corner where she paused then took a small step forward, nearly colliding with a woman coming the other way.
“Sorry,” they both said, sidestepping together and finally in different directions.
When Judith looked down the smaller side street there was no sign of Carlos. A few parked cars, a man and a child sitting on a bench in the shade but little else happening. She moved on cautiously. If Carlos suddenly appeared she’d have nowhere to hide.
She gasped as a door opened beside her, then moved on quickly as the man who’d stepped out of the workwear shop looked at her quizzically. A few steps along she glanced at the huge sign that covered most of the window in the next shop. At the top it said Pawnbrokers and below that a list in bold letters: Only Way to Buy and Sell or Loan, Quality Goods Bought and Sold, Buying Gold Today. Beyond the signs, through the glass she saw the tall figure of Carlos, his back to her. She moved on quickly.
