Beyond the Horizon

by Peter Watt

  For the coverage of the air war in Palestine, I was fortunate to be able to refer to FM Cutlack’s Australian Flying Corps Vol VIII: Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–18, Angus & Robertson: Sydney, 1940.

  All sorties described in Captain Matthew Duffy’s experiences are based on the actual missions by the AFC. The incident of being forced down and then taking off again actually happened to Lieutenant Drummond and all the following missions that Captain Duffy flew are records of real sorties.

  It is interesting to note that other than the charge against Beersheba by the Australian Light Horse, very little is mentioned these days of the desert war where Australians played such a critical role in defeating the Ottoman Empire. Our AFC and Light Horse continuously found themselves in action at the most critical points of battle, helping change the course of history.

  All else in the story is fiction.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  My thanks are extended to the team at Pan Macmillan publishers who have worked on this project directly or indirectly. They are Cate Paterson and Libby Turner, who read and commented on changes, Julia Stiles, copyeditor, Deb Parry, cover design, Roxarne Burns in accountancy, Tracey Cheetham, head of publicity and my publicist, Caitlin Neville.

  As always, my many thanks to my agent, Geoffrey Radford for his continuing support.

  On the subject of publicity I would like to extend my thanks to one of Australia’s best broadcasters in radio, John Carroll. John has consistently brought to attention my books through the Super Radio Network on Sunday mornings to a great bulk of NSW listeners. In the same field I would also like to thank Kristie Hildebrand for her work on my Facebook page and those who have joined.

  A thanks to Peter and Kay Lowe. Peter keeps my webpage up to date and a special thanks to an extraordinary man and fellow author, Dave Sabben MG, whose stay with us in Maclean has inspired me in my future work.

  A continuing thanks to Dr Louis Trichard and his wife, Christine. Louis helps keep me alive.

  As usual my thanks are extended to friends whose influence is felt in my writing life. They are Mick and Andria Prowse, Larry Gilles, John and Isabel Millington, Kevin Jones OAM and Family, Jan Dean, Bill and Tatiana Maroney, John and June Riggall. A special thanks to my wonderful Auntie Joan Payne and family in Tweed Heads for their never-ending support.

  A reminder to Peter Watt readers that they should also purchase Tony Park’s Dark Heart novel at Christmas time. Tony covers the other side of the Indian Ocean with his truly exciting novels centred around Africa, whilst I look after the eastern side of the Indian Ocean.

  A special thanks to Rod and Brett Hardy who are still working to get the Frontier project on the screen. It takes time and patience. A special mention to the real Diane Hatfield whose name appears in the pages of this book. Diane participated in a name inclusion auction conducted by the Mackay Flagon and Dragon Club, raising a generous amount of money for two hospital wards for children in Mackay.

  I would also like to extend my thanks for the camaraderie extended to me by the members of the Gulmarrad Rural Fire Service team of which I have recently joined. They are a wonderful band of community members who volunteer to protect against one of the major enemies of Australia in the fire season. Whilst writing in Finch Hatton, Queensland, I spent eighteen months as an emergency ambulance driver, and I would like to thank that community for the friendship I experienced living there. You are not forgotten, nor are the people of Corowa, on the Murray River.

  On a sadder note I would like to mark the passing of my wonderful younger sister, Kerry McKee nee Watt this year. But life is such that born into the family has been Eliza to my niece, Shannon and her husband, Aaron Herps. My love is extended to my brother Tom and his Family at Hazelbrook and beyond.

  In Tasmania my congratulations to my sister, Lindy and my brother-in-law, Jock for becoming grandparents for the first time to Frida Winsome Barclay.

  Fair winds and safe sailing to my much loved brother-in-law, Tyrone McKee who has set off to sail his yacht, the Sahara, solo around the world with my sister’s ashes and spirit travelling with him.

  To Naomi, my undying love and thanks for being there in tough times and good. You are the reason I keep going.

  Peter Watt has spent time as a soldier, articled clerk, prawn trawler deckhand, builder’s labourer, pipe layer, real estate salesman, private investigator, police sergeant and adviser to the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary. He speaks, reads and writes Vietnamese and Pidgin. He now lives at Maclean, on the Clarence River in northern New South Wales. He is a volunteer firefighter with the Rural Fire service, and fishing and the vast open spaces of outback Queensland are his main interests in life.

  Peter Watt can be contacted at www.peterwatt.com

  Also by Peter Watt

  The Duffy/Macintosh Series

  Cry of the Curlew

  Shadow of the Osprey

  Flight of the Eagle

  To Chase the Storm

  To Touch the Clouds

  To Ride the Wind

  The Papua Series

  Papua

  Eden

  The Pacific

  The Silent Frontier

  The Stone Dragon

  The Frozen Circle

  Excerpts from emails sent to Peter Watt since his first novel was published:

  ‘Your books are so interesting that once we start reading them we can’t put them down until we finish. Without question, you are the Wilbur Smith of Australia, and we want you to keep those great books coming this way . . . on behalf of this organisation’s members, thank you for all the reading enjoyment that you continue to bring to us!’ – Randall A. Brown, Commander, American Legion Post 87

  ‘When I finished Touch the Clouds I felt lost because I wanted more. Then I read To Ride the Wind and felt worse. Then I just finished The Pacific in two days because I couldn’t put it down and I feel lost because I want the next book of yours already in the bookcase to read . . . I love every book you have written . . . Thank you for being born and sharing such brilliant writings with the world!’

  ‘Thank you for writing great stories and providing me with ample entertainment while sat in my camper van in the middle of nowhere!’

  ‘I’m a big fan and absolutely love your books . . . Keep up the great work and can’t wait until the next book is released.’

  ‘I am an avid reader of your books . . . I am not exaggerating when I say that I have you on a pedestal, even over Wilbur Smith who was my very favourite author. Your stories have opened up a world of Aussie history to me and the way you weave characters into the history makes it all so real. . . . Each time I find another of your books I really get carried away and can’t put them down . . . You are a wonderful storyteller and I just wanted to say congratulations and thank you for entertaining me with your stories.’

  ‘Cry of the Curlew got me hooked when I first discovered your wonderful books . . . You are my favourite writer and I have lent my copies to my friends as they too have become just as obsessed with reading them.’

  ‘Congratulations on your books. You are a great writer who is thoroughly enjoyed by many, many readers.’

  ‘When I read your books I don’t feel like I am reading a work of fiction, it feels like reading a biography of real people’s lives. The characters seem so real and like someone you have met in your own life. You work is so well researched that the storyline and characters seem to have existed and the events have happened. That’s why your work is such a pure joy to read and why thousands of people worldwide read your work.’

  ‘I just wanted to tell you that over the past ten years or so I have read all of your books . . . I have always found your books to be gripping from start to finish and I have learnt so much about our Australian history . . . I eagerly look forward to reading your next book. You are the consummate story teller!’

  ‘You are such a brilliant writer. Don’t ever stop, keep them coming. Thank you for so much reading pleasure.’
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br />   ‘Thank you so much for producing what has given me so many hours of enjoyable reading!’

  ‘I finished To Ride the Wind late last week and just wanted to let you know I enjoyed it heaps . . . I loved the way you showed Sydney in 14-18, especially the subculture of pubs and razor wielding toughs. Most of all, I have to say, I loved the scenes of Sean, Patrick, Tom and Alex at war in France. The point you make about the men fighting only for each other and their little patch of dirt really hit home for me . . . Cheers and thanks again for the book.’ – Greg Barron, author of Rotten Gods.

  ‘Thank you for giving me so many hours of sheer pleasure for there is truly nothing better than sipping a delightful wine while reading a good book. Don’t stop writing!’

  ‘I am just writing to tell you how much I have enjoyed reading your books, especially the Macintosh and Duffy family sagas. I first read Cry of the Curlew, Shadow of the Osprey and Flight of the Eagle a few years ago on the recommendation of my sister. I loved the books. I loved the characters (except for the ones we are supposed to hate) and I loved the pictures you painted with your words not just of the Australian landscape but the characters in the books as well . . . may your life as an author be a long, happy and prosperous one. (That way we will get many more of your books to enjoy!)’

  ‘I have been a life-long fan of Wilbur Smith and never thought another author could compare in his genre until a reviewer on his last book recommended you. Having now read Cry of the Curlew and Shadow of the Osprey, I just wanted to say that I consider you to be, at the very least, his equal . . . I hope you keep us gripped with your writing for many years to come.’

  First published 2012 in Macmillan by Pan Macmillan Australia Pty Ltd

  1 Market Street, Sydney 2000

  Copyright © Peter Watt 2012

  The moral right of the author has been asserted.

  All rights reserved. This publication (or any part of it) may not be reproduced or transmitted, copied, stored, distributed or otherwise made available by any person or entity (including Google, Amazon or similar organisations), in any form (electronic, digital, optical, mechanical) or by any means (photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise) without prior written permission from the publisher.

  This ebook may not include illustrations and/or photographs that may have been in the print edition.

  National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication data:

  Watt, Peter, 1949–

  Beyond the horizon / Peter Watt.

  Watt, Peter, 1949– Duffy/Macintosh series; 7.

  EPUB format: 9781743349649

  A823.3

  Typeset by Post Pre-Press Group

  Cover design by Deborah Parry Graphics

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  Find Pan Macmillan Australia online to read more about all our books and to buy both print and ebooks. You will also find features, author interviews and news of any author events.

  MORE BESTSELLING FICTION AVAILABLE FROM PAN MACMILLAN

  Peter Watt

  Cry of the Curlew

  An epic tale of two families, the Macintoshes and the Duffys, who are locked in a deadly battle from the moment squatter Donald Macintosh commits an act of barbarity on his Queensland property.

  Their paths cross in love, death and revenge as both families fight to tame the wild frontier of Australia’s north country.

  A compelling novel from a master storyteller.

  Peter Watt

  Shadow of the Osprey

  Soldier of fortune Michael Duffy returns to colonial Sydney on a covert mission and with old scores to settle, still enraged by a bitter feud between his family and the ruthless Macintoshes.

  The Palmer River gold rush lures American prospector Luke Tracy back to Australia’s rugged north country in his elusive search for riches and the great passion of his life, Kate O’Keefe.

  From the boardrooms and backstreets of Sydney to the hazardous waters of the Coral Sea, the sequel to Cry of the Curlew confirms the exceptional talent of master storyteller Peter Watt.

  Peter Watt

  Flight of the Eagle

  Captain Patrick Duffy’s passions are inflamed by the mysterious Irishwoman Catherine Fitzgerald, further pitting him against his father, Michael Duffy, and his adoring but scheming grandmother, Lady Enid Macintosh.

  On the rugged Queensland frontier, Native Mounted Police trooper Peter Duffy is torn between his loyal bond with Gordon James, the love of his sister, Sarah, and the blood of his mother’s people, the Nerambura tribe.

  Two men, the women who love them and a dreadful curse that still inextricably links the lives of the Macintoshes and Duffys culminate in a stunning addition to the series featuring Cry of the Curlew and Shadow of the Osprey.

  Peter Watt

  To Chase the Storm

  When Major Patrick Duffy’s beautiful wife Catherine leaves him for another, returning to her native Ireland, Patrick’s broken heart propels him out of the Sydney Macintosh home and into yet another bloody war. However the battlefields of Africa hold more than nightmarish terrors and unspeakable conditions for Patrick – they bring him in contact with one he thought long dead and lost to him.

  Back in Australia, the mysterious Michael O’Flynn mentors Patrick’s youngest son, Alex, and at his grandmother’s request takes him on a journey to their Queensland property, Glen View. But will the terrible curse that has inextricably linked the Duffys and Macintoshes for generations ensure that no true happiness can ever come to them? So much seems to depend on Wallarie, the last warrior of the Nerambura tribe, whose mere name evokes a legend approaching myth.

  Through the dawn of a new century in a now federated nation, To Chase the Storm charts an explosive tale of love and loss, from South Africa to Palestine, from Townsville to the green hills of Ireland, and to the more sinister politics that lurk behind them. By public demand, master storyteller Peter Watt returns to this much-loved series following on from the bestselling Cry of the Curlew, Shadow of the Osprey and Flight of the Eagle.

  Peter Watt

  To Touch the Clouds

  They had all forgotten the curse . . . except one . . . until it touched them. I will tell you of those times when the whitefella touched the clouds and lightning came down on the earth for many years.

  In 1914, the storm clouds of war are gathering. Matthew Duffy and his cousin Alexander Macintosh are sent by Colonel Patrick Duffy to conduct reconnaissance on German-controlled New Guinea. At the same time, Alexander’s sister, Fenella, is making a name for herself in the burgeoning Australian film industry.

  But someone close to them has an agenda of his own – someone who would betray not only his country to satisfy his greed and lust for power. As the world teeters on the brink of conflict, one family is plunged into a nightmare of murder, drugs, treachery and treason.

  Peter Watt

  To Ride the Wind

  It is 1916, and war rages across Europe and the Middle East. Patrick and Matthew Duffy are both fighting the enemy, Patrick in the fields of France and Matthew in the skies above Egypt.

  But there is another, secret foe. George Macintosh is passing information to the Germans, seeking to consolidate his power within the family company. And half a world away from the trenches, one of their own will meet a shocking death.

  Meanwhile, a young man is haunted by dreams of a sacred cave, and seeks fiery stars that will help him take back his people’s land.

  To Ride the Wind continues the story of the Duffys and Macintoshes, following Peter Watt’s much-loved characters as they fight to survive one of the most devastating conflicts in history – and each other.

  Peter Watt

  Papua

  ‘Papua is a rousing historical adventure’ GOLD COAST BULLETIN

  Two men, bitter enemies, come face to face on the battlefields of France. Jack Kelly, a captain in the Australian army, shows unexpected compassion towards his prisoner Paul Mann, a high-ranking German officer. Neither expect to ever see each
other again.

  With the Great War finally over, both soldiers return home. But war has changed everything. In Australia, Jack is alone with a son he does not know and in Germany, Paul is alarmed by the growing influence of an ambitious young man named Adolf Hitler . . .

  A new beginning beckons them both in a beautiful but dangerous land – Papua.

  A powerful novel with ‘plenty of plot twists and sweaty jungle intrigue’ SUN-HERALD

  Peter Watt

  Eden

  Jack Kelly and Paul Mann have survived one world war – will they survive another? When the Japanese threaten to invade the Pacific the two men know that they must do everything in their power to protect their country, and their loved ones from an ambitious and merciless enemy.

  Lukas Kelly and Karl Mann are like brothers – just like their fathers – and both are determined to do their part for the Australian cause. While Karl works undercover in espionage, Lukas trains to be a pilot. The two men have also inherited their father’s passionate natures, and romantic entanglements raise the stakes even further.

  Four men, with ties closer than blood fight to hold on to love, and a world that is gradually disappearing. When the war finally explodes terrible tragedies, courageous deeds and enduring friendships will change their lives forever.