Stretched Horizons

by Ross Richdale

  The Square Edge Rescue helicopter hovered over the pair and one of the first sights Jenny saw was Bree leaning out the open doorway.

  "Hi," she mouthed but couldn't be heard above the engine noise.

  A crewmember was lowered and smiled at them. "Hi," he said. "Tom's my name. Bree's given me your life's history." After a quick check to see that she was okay, he switched his attention to Ray. "You've a bit of a weighty problem there, Ray, but don't worry. We'll get Jenny up to the chopper then bring Grant and the jaws down."

  "Jaws?" Jenny screwed her nose up.

  "Jaws of Life. We usually use it to get victims out of mangled cars. It'll lift that boulder off Ray." Tom pointed to the harness he'd just taken off. "Now if you just slip this on, Jenny, and sit down on that rope thingie we'll have you aboard in no time."

  Jenny nodded and a moment later she was hoisted up to the helicopter. A man helped her inside and out of the harness. He attached a machine that looked a little like a gigantic pair of hydraulic scissors to the winch and lowered it down to Tom.

  "You look as sunburnt as Bree," he said. "I'll check you out after we've freed Ray if that's okay."

  "Sure," Jenny replied. She made her way over next to Bree who greeted her with a hug. Not to be outdone, Pattie had to leap up to the extent of her lead and gave Jenny a sloppy lick.

  "That's James, the doctor," Bree shouted over the roar of the rotors. "How's Ray?"

  "Much the same," Jenny replied. "My God, were we glad to see you guys though."

  "Jesus," the pilot called back. "Another Pom."

  "That's Grant," Bree laughed. "He's a bit hard to understand but not bad for a local."

  "Hi, Grant," Jenny shouted. "Thanks for the lift."

  DOWN ON THE SURFACE Ray was introduced to James, who immediately began an examination, asked questions and brought out a hypodermic needle. "This will relax you and dull the pain, Ray," he said. "I don't want to deaden it completely, though, as we'll need you to warn us if you are hurting when we begin to lift you out."

  "Okay," Ray said.

  "So who did the major digging?" Tom called. "The girls or the dog?"

  "All of them. They did one hell of a good job, you know."

  More gear was lowered from the helicopter and Tom slid the closed arms of the jaws in beside Ray, adjusted some controls and attached ropes and a net to the far side of the boulder. He glanced at the doctor.

  "Ray should be okay," James said. "Just take it slowly."

  As the machine expanded, the boulder lifted but tilted to one side. Ray gritted his teeth as pain shot through his body. Tom stopped the machine and placed a metal frame in the gap. He lowered the jaws so the boulder rested on the frame and carried the machine around to the other side where the boulder rested on the branch. Here he repeated the manoeuvre, inserted another frame and again glanced at the doctor.

  "It's off your chest, Ray," James said. "You're lucky the branch left you some space. Don't move though. We're going to place two cross frames in and lift the right side. With luck the boulder will roll off to your left."

  "Don't worry," Tom added. "These frames can hold the weight of an ten tonne truck without buckling."

  Ray smiled and glanced up. All he could see was Bree's face staring down. God, she was attractive in that dirty green blouse, with her blonde hair blowing in the downdraft. She caught his eye and waved.

  "We wouldn't dare hurt you with Bree watching," James said. "We never had school principals like her when I went to school. Most were males, overweight and over fifty."

  "They were," Ray whispered. He felt lethargic as the drugs began to work but it was Bree above him that kept his courage up.

  Everything worked as planned. The boulder rumbled a little and rolled sideways off the frame so there was now only debris around his legs to remove. The two men worked with care and precision with smaller tools and a vacuum device that sucked the chalky dust up.

  Ray's legs appeared. The right one was misshapen and obviously broken but the other appeared normal. James immediately moved to examine him.

  "I think your ribs are bruised rather than broken, Ray," he said. "There may be internal bruising but there appears to be no bleeding. I'll put a blow up clamp around your broken leg to support it and we'll get you aboard. How are you feeling?"

  "Not too bad," Ray replied. His eyes became heavy but he was determined to stay awake if only to thank Bree.

  James grinned at Tom. "Can you signal Grant to move away before that infernal downdraft blows us off the slip?"

  "WE'RE MOVING AWAY SO our downdraft won't hinder them," Grant shouted. "James is going to strap Ray in the stretcher. We'll return and lift him aboard."

  The engine noise increased and the helicopter moved slowly away from the cliff face. Bree had a safety belt on but still stepped back as they swung around and began a slow circular flight. She gazed out and was sure she could see the lonely knob of trees below.

  "That's where they picked me up," she shouted at Jenny.

  "It was quite a climb," Jenny replied. "How'd you know the mobile would work there?"

  "I didn't," Bree replied. "I was heading for the top."

  "But you wouldn't have made it," Jenny said. "It's a sheer cliff. Look!"

  Bree did. The area above the knob was far steeper than she realized from the surface. "I would have tried," she said in a far away voice. "There's no way I would have left you two there on the slip."

  "Rational thinking or sheer pride?" Jenny asked.

  "Sheer pride," Bree responded. "That or sheer foolishness, I'm not sure which."

  "Guts," Jenny said and smiled.

  THE RETURN WAS ALMOST an anti-climax as they hovered over those still on the surface. James came up first and guided in the stretcher with Ray aboard.

  "Hi, Bree," Ray said in a soft voice. He reached out for her hand but she was already there. She grabbed both his hands, gazed into his eyes, bent forward and kissed him on the lips. "My grandfather used to say that if a kiss received was not returned it would blow away in the wind to be lost forever. I didn't want your kiss to be lost."

  "Bree," Ray said as he squeezed her hands. "I do believe you are a romantic."

  She flushed and pulled back. "I'm just glad you had no serious injuries, that's all."

  "Of course," Ray said. He winked at Jenny over Bree's shoulder.

  Tom arrived, shut the door and moved up beside Grant. "Next stop Palmerston North Hospital," he said.

  "So what injuries does Ray have?" Bree asked the doctor.

  "He has a broken fibula in his right leg and some bruised ribs," James replied. "I want to examine you both more thoroughly when we get back. You all managed to get a right good sunburn."

  "Yeah," Jenny interrupted. "Everyone else back home will have frostbite and we'll have the best tan in years."

  IT WAS DARK WHEN THE helicopter landed at the floodlit heliport in the hospital grounds. Bree and Jenny were surprised to find themselves surrounded by reporters. At least one television camera homed in on them.

  "The authorities reported that your aeroplane crashed above a waterfall in the ranges and was carried over. It was thought there were no survivors. Tell us, Mrs. Ashworth, how did you survive?" a woman asked as she held a microphone in Bree's face.

  "We crashed above the falls," Bree replied. "The pilot was killed on impact but we were unhurt. Later, Ray Barnett found us..."

  Other questions were thrown at the pair until James stepped forward. "Please, ladies and gentlemen," he said. "As you can see our survivors are exhausted and need urgent medical help." He bundled them into a waiting ambulance for the two hundred-metre journey across the car park to the Accident and Emergency Entrance.

  "But what about Pattie?" Bree said as she noticed their mournful companion being held back from the ambulance by Tom.

  "We'll look after her," Tom called and nodded towards an adjacent hanger. "I'll tie her up out of the night air and find her something to munch. Come and get her after your chec
k-up."

  "She'll be fine," Ray said. "I doubt if you two will be admitted, so it shouldn't be for long."

  But it was. The trio were taken into a private room away from the reporters and asked to wait. James had just begun to examine Bree's wound when a nurse came up and spoke to him.

  "Damn," he said and turned to his patient. "There's been a multi-car pileup on the main highway. I have to fly out in the helicopter." He grinned. "It's going to be another busy night, I think."

  "But what about Ray?" Bree said.

  "We have two surgeons on duty and they're both doing emergency operations. Ray is next on their waiting list. One of the nurses will admit him and take him up to a ward."

  "And Jenny and I?"

  "Your injuries won't require you to be admitted."

  Bree frowned. "Of course."

  "Is there a problem?"

  "You could say that," Jenny said. "We've lost our luggage, passports, credit cards ...everything! "

  James nodded. "We have a social worker I can call."

  "No," Bree said. "I have all my credit card numbers, aeroplane ticket, and traveller cheques numbers recorded on an email I sent to myself before we left home. Tomorrow I can access it, so we should be okay for tonight. We'll just wait here."

  "Right then," the doctor said. "But I must be off." He smiled and left the room.

  "They're taking me upstairs in a few moments," Ray mumbled. "One of the surgeons is just finishing off his operation so should be with me in an hour or so."

  "An hour!"

  Ray laughed. "That's not too long, really."

  "You can stay with Ray for a while," Jenny said. "I'll go out and see how Pattie is getting on. "See you soon."

  She disappeared out the door but was back in less than ten minutes looking quite upset.

  "Ray," she gasped. "Pattie's gone. I went back to the hanger. The helicopter's left and the place is deserted. Her leash is there but nothing else. I looked everywhere..." She bit on her bottom lip. "I'm sorry, Ray. I should have stayed with her."

  "Oh my," Bree muttered. She looked at Ray but didn't expect to see the cheerful look on his face.

  "Don't worry," he said. "She's probably gone home."

  "Home!" Bree replied.

  "I have a house only about a kilometre away. We often walked around these streets."

  "But you said you lived in Auckland," Bree said.

  "Oh, I did," Ray replied. "Sorry, I should have told you. The district office of the department I work for is based here. I bought a little house a while back." He told them where a spare key was hidden and laughed. "I was going to suggest you stay there. What motel would admit you vagabonds anyhow. Filthy clothes and no money."

  "Ray, we can't." Bree said. "We can go to the motel we're booked into. There's still two nights to run."

  "And leave poor Pattie cold and lonely outside an empty house?" Ray shrugged. "Mind you, she has a kennel out the back so I guess she'll survive."

  "Ray!" Bree retorted. "You're teasing..."

  "So, you'll baby-sit Pattie until I get discharged?"

  "Of course she will," Jenny retorted. "But are you sure that's where Pattie's gone."

  "If she's not waiting outside the hospital main doors, that's where she'll be." Ray reached in his pocket again, took out some money and a business card. "My address is on it," he said. "Here's forty bucks. Get a taxi and perhaps you could go to the supermarket and get a few supplies. I didn't think I'd be back so soon, so there's no fresh food at home."

  Bree listened while gave other instructions. "Oh, Ray," she finally said. "You've done so much for us. I'm not used to someone being so kind. I..."

  "Bree," Ray interrupted. "Shut up and go."

  Bree nodded, bent over and kissed him. "Come on, Jenny," she said. "Let's go and find Pattie."

  "Bye, Ray," Jenny said. "I'll come back if we don't find Pattie."

  "Make it in the morning," Ray laughed. "Oh yes, I've got my car at home. My car key's on that ring. You can borrow my car to get around town, if you like."

  "And if we just rip you off and disappear?" Bree said.

  "Then I'm a poor judge of character and it'll serve me right."

  CHAPTER 12

  46A Langston Avenue was only a few blocks from the hospital. The taxi driver drove down a driveway between two colonial style houses and stopped by a modern townhouse. As he turned in, an outdoor light came on to show a small but well cared for front lawn, an attached double garage and polished front door.

  Bree stared at Jenny with apprehension in her eyes. She paid the driver and watched as he reversed out and they were alone... for about twenty seconds.

  There was a woof and Pattie came bounding around from the rear of the garage.

  "Oh my God!" Jenny exclaimed as the Labrador jumped up and placed front paws on her tummy. "So you did come home? I thought I'd lost you forever."

  Pattie ran over to Bree for a similar welcome, and then dashed down the drive. "Ray's still at the hospital, Pattie," Bree called. "He'll be home tomorrow. Tomorrow! Understand."

  Pattie, as usual, seemed to comprehend the situation, for her tail began wagging and she followed the pair up to the door. The second key Bree tried fitted and the little group walked in. Jenny managed to find a light switch and turned the interior lights on. Bree saw an open plan kitchen and living area. The room was modern and, apart from a slight musty smell from being shut up, looked like a home.

  Followed by both Jenny and Pattie, she strolled around the room. It looked like Ray, somehow. Three wall paintings depicted outdoor scenes and the furniture was comfortable but unpretentious. Opposite the kitchen area was a computer, and a wall cabinet with glass shelves holding the usual odds and ends people put in such places. She stopped and took a photo frame off the cabinet. It showed a slightly younger Ray beside a woman with short dark hair, slightly chubby build and happy smile. The next photograph showed the head and shoulders of the same woman. In this one the smile was still there but the face had become thin and lined. The woman had aged twenty years between the two images, but Bree knew from, what Ray had said, that in reality, it was half that time.

  "His wife?" Jenny whispered.

  "I guess," Bree said. She placed the photographs back and went to pull curtains across the large windows that dominated the far wall. There was a tiny alcove she hadn't noticed and, at the end, another door.

  "Probably goes to the garage," Jenny said and pushed it open.

  When she walked in the lights came on automatically to reveal a conservatory. Though not big, the long room was encircled in glass. Three steps led down to a cobblestone path that twisted between two stone walls that held an indoor garden. Everywhere were plants, ferns, flowers, creepers and moss. The garden had the look of being recently planted but the design was such that already the place gave the atmosphere of being out in a forest. Taller plants hugged the outer space, then smaller flowering shrubs and at the front, flowers and ground hugging creeper. There was a slight sound of running water and Bree noticed an intricate system of black pipes with fine mists of spray fanning out.

  "Look at this," Jenny said as she stepped along the conservatory.

  Bree joined Jenny and her eyes lit up in delight. A kidney shaped fishpond twisted out from behind miniature shrubbery. But it was more than that. The stone wall became a miniature street. There was a stone bridge, several English styled cottages and models all to the same scale. Tiny figures, animals and vehicles filled the street. One stone building had a working waterwheel beside it. The whole model circled half the goldfish pond but a clear space beyond showed that work on it was unfinished.

  "Ray must have added the conservatory after he bought the place. This had to have taken days and days to create. It's beautiful."

  "But lonely," Jenny said.

  Bree looked at her companion. "You sense it, too?"

  "Imagine having all this with nobody to show it to?"

  "He probably has lots of horticulturists who visit."
/>
  "So that's why he took the job up in the ranges?"

  "I know," Bree said. "This conservatory reflects him doesn't it?"

  "Like you," Jenny said. "Conscientious and dedicated, except he deals with plants instead of kids." She laughed. "Plants don't cheek you back or have irate parents to complain about missing shoes."

  Bree chuckled. "Okay," she said and opened a second door in the middle of the one wall that wasn't glass. This led to the garage with a small Japanese car parked on the near side. The far space was empty but showed where a second vehicle usually parked. Like the house and conservatory, the garage was tidy with a workbench across the end and shelves along two walls. Most shelves were filled with horticultural items such as containers of potting mix, trays, clay containers and garden tools.

  Another door led outside into the back yard. This still looked undeveloped but the lawn was cut short and a wooden kennel stood beside the garage.

  "Your home, Pattie?" Bree said to the dog that had accompanied them the whole time. "So this is where you came back to from the hospital."

  Pattie yelped, ran inside her kennel, and rushed out again with a well-chewed bone in her mouth.

  "Okay, I've got the message," Jenny said with a chuckle. "You're hungry. Come on, girl. Ray must have left something inside for you."

  THE JOURNEY TO THE supermarket was an experience in itself. Newly washed, but still wearing their stained clothes, the pair walked out to the car. Pattie jumped in and sat expectantly on the back seat.

  "You drive and I'll navigate," Bree said to Jenny. "I found a street map in the glove box."

  "Sure," Jenny said confidently.

  The next problem was a small matter of automatic drive. She'd only driven a manual back home and found after several attempts that she could only turn the key when one foot was on the brake pedal. Finally, they roared down the drive at far too great a speed, swung out on the empty road and screeched to a jarring halt.

  "I thought the brake was a clutch," Jenny said with a little less confidence.