Ross River Fever
Page 40
Letitia nodded and smiled. “That’s a good idea. ‘Spot’ he is.”
“Hello Spot!” Martin said, holding the puppy close to his face. Spot looked back at him, waggled his tail, and his little legs tried to walk in the air. His tongue poked out and licked at Martin’s face. Martin then hugged him against his neck and cheek. “Oh thank you. He’s a little beauty.”
At that Jill stepped forward and held out the box to Letitia: “For you, with thanks, for making me realize I love Mark.”
Letitia went red and she opened the box with trembling fingers. She lifted the kitten out with a little cry and then had to wipe away tears.
Mr Schipholl joined them and patted her on the shoulder. “What will you call it?” he asked.
“Tiger,” Letitia replied. “See his ginger colour and stripes?”
They laughed at that. Mark then handed over the budgerigars to the parents. They were pleased as well. All this time Andrew had stood feeling very emotional himself. He had to struggle to keep his own eyes dry but now it was his turn he had to bend down to hide the wetness. He opened one of the boxes he carried.
There was a scuffling noise and out onto the tiles slid a baby tortoise. The tortoise was only the size of a fifty cent piece across its shell and its tiny legs scrabbled for traction on the smooth tiles. It then stopped and looked up at the people before abruptly pulling itself into its shell.
Martin let out a little cry and bent down to pick him up, passing Spot to his mother as he did. He held the tiny tortoise on the palm of his hand and looked at him in delight. “Does he have a name?”
Andrew shook his head. “No.”
“What about ‘Tony’?” Mark suggested.
Andrew shrugged. “I’m not sure if he’s a Tony or an Antonia’,” he replied. They all laughed and he blushed.
The second box was then handed to Letitia. It was a box of chocolates. She unwrapped this and said: “How sweet of you!” then came and gave him a brief peck on the cheek. Andrew had been hoping for more but was happy to be rewarded by her smile and the smell of her perfume. He blushed furiously and stepped back.
Mrs Schipholl then ushered them all to seats. Andrew had hoped that Letitia would sit next to him but her mother called her to help and he ended up with Jill on one side and Anne on the other. Mr Schipholl sat and asked for the full story.
This had to be told. During it, when not recounting his share, Andrew feasted his eyes on Letitia. She was aware of this and from time to time gave him smiles which sent his hopes soaring.
Martin said, “I got my U Boat back. The police found it in the house in Rasmussen where the gang had been hiding.”
“Does it still work?” Mark asked.
“Don’t know,” Martin replied.
“We could always take it down to the river for a test run,” Andrew added. That raised a laugh, interspersed by comments from parents about the river.
“Did you hear that they found Troy’s body this morning?” Mark asked. That put an immediate dampener on the atmosphere. Andrew shuddered and said nothing. He did not want to think about it.
“Where?” Martin asked.
“Caught in a tree just below Gleesons Weir,” Mark replied. “The paper said that a man walking his dog found it.”
Andrew experienced a series of searing flashbacks and images of drowned bodies swirled in his mind to nauseate him. To change the subject he said, “You were in the paper Martin. It said you were a navy cadet too. Sorry, that was my fault for not explaining clearly.”
Martin nodded. “I know. But it’s alright. I am a navy cadet now. As soon as I read it I got mum to fill out the paperwork and we phoned the commanding officer and he came and got it. He thought it was very good publicity,” he explained.
“That’s great!” Andrew cried. “Now we will see you on camps and trips.”
At that moment the doorbell rang. Letitia jumped up and went across to open it. Andrew could not see the doorway but he heard a gasp of pleasure and then murmuring which made him start to worry. The worry then turned to dismay when Letitia came back into the room with her arms around a teenage youth of about sixteen.
“Everyone, this is my boyfriend Johno. Johno’s been away on holidays; and I missed ya!” She turned to him and gave him a hug and then a kiss on the cheek, which he returned.
Andrew was stunned. He burned with jealousy and humiliation. Damn Johno! And damn Letitia too! He felt very hurt. Carmen’s pitying look didn’t help either!
So the next day Andrew and Carmen caught the bus back to Cairns. At the depot to see them off were Martin, Mark, Jill, Jacob and Anne. Andrew still felt sick but it was his broken heart which really hurt.
A week later while eating afternoon tea at home he heard on the radio news that Forman’s body had also been found. It was located by a fisherman on a mud flat near the Bowen Road Bridge. The news report said that most of the upper torso had been eaten by fish.
The image caused his stomach to churn. “They didn’t have to add those sorts of ghoulish details!” he cried angrily. He stood up and left the room to hide his shock and the tears that suddenly flowed unchecked.
A few minutes later Carmen appeared in the doorway of his bedroom. In her hand she held two letters.
“Cheer up,” she said. “The postman’s been.”
Andrew tried to speak but his words came out as a gruff grunt: “Is that a letter from Jacob Edwards?”
“Yes, and there is a second one for you. It’s from Anne.”
AUTHOR’S NOTE
This story is a work of fiction. The characters portrayed in this story are entirely fictional. There is no intention to harm any real person, or to tarnish the reputation of anyone, living or dead.
The story was written some years ago and it was decided not to re-write it to keep up with the many changes in the rapidly growing city of Townsville, but to publish it as it was. Locals will note the discrepancies and changes over time and, hopefully, will find the story all the more interesting for noting how things once were.
The main changes are the construction of footbridges across Ross River at both Black Weir and Aplins Weir, and the development of new suburbs. The city council of Townsville (and the former Thuringowa) are to be commended for the building of the bridges, thereby adding much to safety and convenience. They are also to be commended for developing the excellent system of bike paths and walkways along both banks of the river and people are encouraged to explore these very pleasant by-ways.
It is also hoped that readers will find this a cautionary tale and be more aware of the very real dangers that can lurk in such a pleasant environment. Nothing in this story should be construed as encouragement to break the law, or to do unsafe things.
Regrettably there are sadder effects of population growth: As the numbers increase, so do the laws. More people = less freedom. As the urban sprawl destroys ever more bushland and wildlife habitat one wonders where the animals, and the free spirits like Sheena, now go?
Also the Navy Cadet depot has been relocated to Boundary Street, South Townsville. For those interested in the Navy Cadets google “cadetnet” or email TS.CoralSea@cadetnet.gov.au
THE NAVY CADETS SERIES
Davey Jones’s Locker
The Navy Cadets: Book 1
Christopher Cummings
Fourteen year-old Navy Cadet Andrew Collins enrolls in a SCUBA diving course on the Great Barrier Reef to impress Muriel, the girl of his dreams. There’s only one problem: Andrew is terrified of diving, not to mention the sharks, eels, and every other dangerous critter inhabiting the Coral Sea.
Despite his fears, Andrew inadvertently stumbles onto an old family mystery: the mysterious disappearance of his grandfather, lost at sea many years before. The deeper they delve into the mystery the deeper they are caught in a deadly web of lies and danger.
Andrew must face some agonizing choices and do battle with his worst nightmares.
THE AIR CADETS SERIES
Coasts of Cape Yor
k
The Air Cadets: Book 1
Christopher Cummings
Fourteen year-old Air Cadet Willy Williams jumps at the chance to take a flight in a restored World War 2 PBY ‘Catalina’ seaplane along the Queensland north coast. During flight however he makes a shocking discovery, one that endangers his very life.
Willy is tested to his limits, both emotionally and physically, as he travels to the remotest and most dangerous parts of Far North Queensland. He soon learns that there is more to the world of aircraft wrecks and vintage planes than meets the eye – rivals, false friends, and dangerous enemies.
What is the mystery and how do Willy and his friends cope? To find out read on and join the flight up the coast of Cape York.
THE ARMY CADETS SERIES
The Cadet Corporal
The Army Cadets: Book 1
Christopher Cummings
Now in his 2nd year as Army Cadet, trouble-maker Graham Kirk is faced with the biggest crisis of his cadetship. The annual field camp has begun and over nine gruelling days he will be forced to face challenges and temptations that test his integrity, courage and loyalty to the limit.
Top of the list is Pigsy and his gang, soured by jealousy and resentment. And of course the girls. Will they stand in the way of his promotion to sergeant or will he rise to the challenge and become the leader nobody thinks he can be?