The Travel Mate

by Mark Green

  ‘What about getting some sleep?’

  ‘Sleeping’s for wimps. You can get all the shut-eye you need once we’ve located that suitcase. In the meantime, make do in the back of the taxi.’

  ‘With these roads, are you kidding?’

  ‘You think I’d waste my time on frivolity? Saddle up, Tonto, wagons roll.’

  • • •

  ‘Fork or spoon?’ said Bozzer, the beam of light from his head-torch filtering through pockets of steam billowing from the pan.

  ‘Fork, please.’

  Bozzer lifted his head and looked over.

  ‘Whoa, easy with the spotlight.’

  ‘I can’t switch off my dazzling personality.’

  Maddie groaned and peered into the saucepan. Bozzer reached up and balanced the head-torch on a stone window sill behind them, adjusting the angle to illuminate the cooking pot.

  ‘What did you say is in there?’

  ‘Rice, obviously. A few edible animals I found in the forest, some seasoning, and the secret ingredient.’

  ‘Edible animals?’ she glared at him, her fork poised.

  ‘Yeah, you can pick those bits out if you’re a vegetarian. I think they’re all dead …’ Bozzer dipped his spoon into the pot, stirred the contents then loaded up his spoon, lifting it to his lips, blowing the steam away. He shovelled the rice into his mouth, chewing and puffing vapour. ‘Nothing wriggling – bonus.’

  Maddie glared at him through the gloom, away from the torchlight.

  ‘Okay, okay. Not the death stare, please. It’s rice with chopped-up pork satays, bought from a market stall. I had some for breakfast on the way in, saved the rest. Bit of soy sauce and some happy herbs to give the rice a little extra zing. It’s actually not bad.’

  ‘Extra zing?’

  ‘Yup.’ Bozzer dug his spoon in again and took another mouthful. ‘Oh yeah, that’s pretty good. Hey, you don’t want any, that’s cool – more for me.’

  Maddie flicked her eyes between the pot and Bozzer, deflecting his incoming spoon with a fork side-swipe. ‘Patience. Ladies first.’ She scooped a forkful of rice a la Bozzer into her mouth. ‘Ugh, hot!’ she yelped, her mouth hanging open, puffing like a steam engine.

  ‘Ha ha – patience!’

  Maddie chewed fast, blowing vapour, her hand scrabbling around on the floor.

  ‘Here,’ he said, passing her a bottle containing a quarter litre of water.

  Maddie glugged back several mouthfuls. ‘Thanks.’ She scooped her fork back into the pot. ‘Actually, this isn’t bad.’

  ‘Why so surprised?’

  Maddie shrugged, glancing over at him. ‘Most men can’t cook.’ She analysed his features. ‘So what really happened between you and Jody?’

  ‘Our companionship had carried us as far as the journey allowed … it goes that way sometimes.’

  ‘How long have you been on the road?’

  ‘Before Jody, couple of months.’

  ‘Where have you been?’

  ‘Kind of a circular route. I flew into Saigon, took the train up the east coast of Vietnam to Hoi An, dropping off here and there, ending up in Hanoi. Overland across the border into northern Laos, worked my way south, taking in Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane. Then across the border into Thailand at Nong Khai. Got the bus to Bangkok, then here.’

  ‘Wow, quite a trip. When did you meet Jody?’

  ‘At the legendary Vang Vieng. We hooked up tubing down the Nam Song River.’

  ‘Tubing? What’s that, some sort of weird traveller’s ritual?’

  He laughed. ‘Sort of. You rent an inflated truck tyre inner-tube. The locals have a great business, they transport a load of us with tubes a few miles upstream. There’s maybe four or five riverside bars to stop at on the way down the river. You float past in your tube, pulling in where you fancy a beer or two. It’s calmed down a lot – a few years ago it was crazy-party central. Zip wires, high diving boards, exotic drink mixes and drug cocktails … it used to be really wild.’

  ‘But not anymore?’

  ‘No. Too many people died.’

  Maddie stopped eating. ‘You’re kidding?’

  ‘Nope. Two or three tourists a year, more towards the end. The current is really fast in the rainy season, and at other times there was shallow water under some of the zip wires, if you dropped too early. No lifeguards of course, and limited medical expertise. That’s in addition to being on the water and overdoing the hooch and happy herbs … drowning was quite common. Recipe for calamity, big time, and no good for tourism. So the government shut down half the bars, cleaned up those that remained and clamped down on the circus antics. It’s a mellow deal now.’

  Maddie gazed at him through the cooling steam. A flicker of unease creased his brow, dispersing as he lifted his eyes to briefly meet hers. ‘How’s the grub?’

  ‘Good, thank you. Better now it’s not scalding hot.’ She stole another look at him, studying his shadowy features.

  ‘Enquire away.’

  ‘About what?’

  ‘Whatever it is that you’re itching to ask.’

  Maddie tapped her fork on the edge of the pot. ‘Okay … I thought I noticed something – a look of regret, or uneasiness perhaps. Did you lose someone?’

  He finished chewing and tilted his head slightly to one side, studying her. ‘You’re very perceptive.’

  ‘That surprises you?’

  ‘I guess so.’ He reached for the water bottle, took a swig. ‘My grandfather, among others …’

  ‘Oh.’

  ‘You thought I’d say a mate, or girlfriend.’

  She met his gaze and nodded.

  ‘He died young. He’s had this … influence on my life, on this trip. Even though I never knew him.’

  ‘So this is a pilgrimage?’

  ‘In a way. Gramps worked for a news agency. He was sent here, to Cambodia. Back in the mid-Seventies.’

  ‘During the time of the Khmer Rouge?’

  Bozzer nodded, a solemn expression momentarily darkening his features. ‘Ugh, snap out of it, Baz!’ He slapped himself on the cheek, winced, then rubbed his chin. ‘Ignore me, being morose. Eat up. Put some calories back into your legs, you’ll need them tomorrow.’

  ‘For what?’ she said sharply.

  ‘To chauffeur me, dumbo. Two bikes, one with a flattie. Remember?’

  ‘Tomorrow it’s your turn to pedal your own lazy arse.’

  ‘I woulda done today, if you’d been up to it,’ he said softly. Maddie looked away from him and peered into the pot, scooping up another forkful of rice. ‘But I think you secretly enjoyed being in control.’

  She glanced up, mid-mouthful, the sides of her mouth twitching into a smile. ‘Doesn’t every girl?’

  Twenty-Six

  ‘What was that …?

  Maddie wielded the torch beam above her head, picking out spindly shadows from dangling tree branches.

  ‘Bats.’

  ‘No way.’

  ‘Yup. They feed at dusk, it’s when all the mozzies and bugs come out. Target-rich environment.’

  ‘Great,’ she said, stifling a giggle.

  Bozzer frowned. ‘You okay?’

  ‘Oh yeah, peachy. I’m trapped in an ancient Cambodian temple with a batty bloke – who has a strange accent – whilst I’m taking a break from my fiancé, without the first clue what I’m going to do tomorrow morning. Any morning, in fact. Other than that it’s all gorgeous in my mad, sad, world. Silly girl. Hey, Jody, she messed up, letting you go. Did you have a big argument? It’s a bit spooky here. Forests are like that. I feel sleepy. Can you make my bed now? Maddie bed time …’

  Only the soft flapping of wings overhead punctuated the silence. Bozzer rolled his head left, the cool building stonework pressing into his ear. He blinked, refocusing on her, slumped back against the wall beside him. The torch lay on the ground, shining away from her fingers. Maddie’s head lolled to one side. She breathed lightly, emitting sporadic miniature snores. He
grinned, shaking off the woolly numbness engulfing him, dulling his senses. ‘Bedtime, that’d be an idea.’ He eased up to his feet, picked up the torch and shone a beam at the nearby ground, searching for the hessian bag.

  Bozzer surveyed the hammock under torchlight, checking he’d securely tied the cords between the two trees and that the mosquito net stretched out above fully covered it. Maddie groaned at his gentle shaking, her heavy eyelids barely flickering open. She shied away from the light dancing on the ground and slowly rotated her stiff neck. ‘What, doing?’ she mumbled, losing the battle to keep her eyes open.

  ‘Bedtime. Come on Princess Madge, your sumptuous boudoir awaits.’

  ‘Sleep here,’ she mumbled.

  ‘No, no, nooo … that cold stone floor that will sap your body heat. Come on, up you get.’ Bozzer grasped Maddie’s hands and lifted her limp arms, hauling her rag-doll body upright. ‘Need to get a mozzie net over you, keep out the creepy crawlies.’

  She grunted as he stooped down and draped her torso over his shoulders in a fireman’s lift. ‘Lesson learned, Madge. Happy-happy herbs, not so good for posh totty. Steps coming up, ready?’

  ‘Steps were not an Australian band, they were British, okay mister,’ she slurred.

  Barry sniggered and carried her down the steps.

  ‘Whoooooaaaaa, flying … where’s the batty-bat-face-man taking meee …?’

  Barry stumbled across the rutted ground towards the hammock. ‘Madge, I need you awake for one minute, that’s all. Then sleep time, okay?’

  ‘Sleepies, now. Yes, lovely. Bye.’

  ‘No. Stay awake for sixty seconds, then you can pass out.’ Barry eased her off his shoulders, planting her feet by the base of the hammock’s string netting.

  ‘Sixty seconds is all I get? What does a girl have to do …’

  ‘Maddie – focus. Here’s the hammock.’

  ‘Okay. I’m with you. Where are we?’ She reached down to feel the netting. ‘Room for one. Where you at?’

  ‘We’re going to top and tail.’

  Maddie giggled. She flopped over the unstable hammock. He grabbed her just before her body collapsed.

  ‘Maddie, we need to coordinate. Lower yourself in, bum first, then legs follow. Ready? One …’ Barry rushed around the tree to stand on the opposite side of her. Maddie swayed on her feet, her body quivering. ‘Two …’ He grabbed her arms to support her from toppling over. ‘Three.’ Bozzer stretched the netting open with one hand as he lowered her arms, her bottom resting in the hammock.

  He swept her legs up and guided her head back, watching her body flop down, timing sitting back into the netting himself to coordinate with her. The ropes creaked, netting tightening as they lay there, heads at opposite ends, swaying back and forth. He wriggled to adjust his weight, letting the hammock settle.

  ‘Did we survive?’ she mumbled from the other end.

  ‘We did. Sleep well.’ Bozzer reached out to pull the sides of the mosquito netting over them, then stretched his hands behind his head and stared up at the stars, glimpsing a new moon, peeking through clouds. ‘Hmm … this’ll do.’

  The hammock settled to a gentle rocking motion. Bozzer watched the night sky for a few minutes, listening to her light snoring. Amusement twitched across his lips as he scanned the bright concentration of stars, untainted by light pollution. With a satisfied sigh he allowed his heavy eyelids to close, his side pressed against her warm body.

  • • •

  Bozzer twitched awake at the vibration against his thigh. His phone pulsed the lone church bell bonging intro to AC/DC’s Hell’s Bells. He twisted around enough to sink his hand into the offending pocket and silence the alarm.

  ‘It’s four-thirty, Madge, time to get up,’ he whispered, sliding his feet onto the floor. He carefully shifted his weight as he stood up, reaching out to balance the hammock and prevent it tipping. ‘Going to water a tree.’

  He listened for her response. Nothing. He leaned over her face, his cheek tickling from her light, regular breathing. Satisfied, he padded away, his torchlight skipping across the rutted ground.

  Once he was back, Bozzer rocked the hammock. ‘Madge – popcorn princess … time for your morning toe-sucking.’

  ‘You’d better bloody not,’ she muttered, slurring her words. She reached out in slow motion to rub her eyes. ‘It’s still dark.’

  ‘Yup. Stealth mission. Goin’ looking for the spirit people.’

  ‘Off you trot, then.’

  ‘The temples open soon – we can’t be seen camping here. You need to get your lazy arse up and come with me. Right now.’

  ‘Spoilsport.’

  ‘C’mon, legs first. Ready?’

  ‘Nooo …’

  Bozzer grasped her ankles and lifted them out of the netting, swinging her legs onto the ground.

  ‘Whoa, okay mister. Less physical contact equals a happier camper. Ouch … my head is pounding. I’m thirsty and I need a wee.’ She groaned and slumped forwards, resting her elbows onto her thighs, dropping her head into her palms. ‘Hangover from hell …’

  ‘Yeah, happy herbs can do that. They don’t suit everyone.’

  Maddie snapped her eyes fully open and stared at the outline of his face. ‘Happy herbs – as in, marijuana?!’

  ‘The very same.’

  ‘You effing bastard!’

  ‘Hey, I hadn’t planned on a dinner guest. Would you rather I let you starve?’

  ‘No, but you didn’t have to put them in—’

  ‘You assume that I’d be able to sleep outside, in this place, without a little deeply-sleepy-happiness?’

  She shook her head beneath her hands, muttering to herself.

  ‘Embrace the experience. You tried something new, slept well and didn’t have to pay for a hotel. What’s to complain about?’

  Maddie lowered her hands, her expression darkening. ‘You drugged me!’

  ‘Not intentionally. I thought everyone in Asia understood the true meaning of happy. Happy shakes. Happy pizza. Happy—’

  ‘Ending?’

  He sniggered. ‘See, there you go – sense of humour restored. It’s no biggie, right? Tell me, who else has visited Angkor and stayed overnight in a temple? It’s a story to tell your grandchildren, that one time you really lived a life—’

  Maddie pushed off the unsteady hammock, jerking upright. ‘You fucking drugged me!’ She stepped up close to his outline, her hands clenched into fists.

  ‘Whoa, take it easy! You knew what was in the cooking pot before your first mouthful, because I told you. You could have declined. So take a step back, have a serious word with yourself and calm the hell down.’

  Maddie’s stomach contracted, her jaw clenching as she squeezed bursts of air from her nose, making a wheezing snorting sound. Bozzer stood rigid, facing her down. He studied her posture and grainy tension in her face. ‘What happened, in the past, to make you react this way?’ he asked gently.

  She shook head vigorously. ‘No.’

  ‘Yes …’ he soothed, ‘what happened? Did someone misplace your trust—’

  ‘No – you can’t ask that.’

  ‘Did they, Maddie?’

  She started to shake. Her muscles cramped up as she blinked rapidly, drew rasping inhalations, panting out snuffled exhalations. ‘No. No – I can’t—’

  ‘It’s okay. Tell me what happened,’ he whispered, his voice calm, reassuring.

  Maddie’s shaking intensified, her entire body shuddering as she tried to gasp enough oxygen.

  ‘It’s okay. You’re safe. Nothing can harm you …’ Bozzer knelt down, gingerly touched her hand, eased his fingers under her palm, cradling it. ‘It’s okay. Let it go—’

  ‘You – don’t under – stand …’ she gasped.

  ‘Maddie, I’m gonna give you a hug. Okay?’

  She sank down, her body crumpling, curling up into a ball, trembling uncontrollably. Bozzer manoeuvred around the hammock and knelt beside her, carefully draping his arms l
ightly over her quivering shoulders.

  ‘Shhh …’ Bozzer lifted his head to glance up at the sky. Bright stars began to fade as the first deep navy blue tinge peeked over the horizon, blending seamlessly with the lowest visible edge of the skyline. ‘How you doing?’ he whispered, lifting his arm off her shoulders.

  She shifted up to a kneeling position, her face red and tearstained.

  ‘White flag.’ He pressed a Kleenex into her palm.

  ‘Thanks,’ she whispered.

  ‘Do you think you’re ready to make a move? I’d really like to get into the temples before the sun comes up.’

  A slight nod, then a trembling sigh. She wiped her eyes, blew her nose. Bozzer stood up, waiting for her to join him. ‘Come on, grab a seat over here. I need five minutes to pack up and we’ll be off. Okay?’

  She nodded, following him to the wall where she sat down and slumped forwards. Bozzer untied the hammock and scrunched it up, stuffing the material into the drawstring bag. He collected the stove and cooking equipment, packed everything into the bicycle basket and returned to her side. ‘All set. We’ll push the bikes back to the road. It’s only a few hundred yards to Ta Prohm, so no need to pedal until later.’

  Maddie nodded. They carried the bikes down the uneven entrance steps and wheeled them along the path. Ahead, the charcoal-bluey-green-orange-grey glow of dawn began lifting the inky black tones. This gradually defined their surroundings, guiding them towards the tarmac. Spokes whirled past worn brake pads, the side wall thrumming regularly past a twitching buckle in the wheel.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she said after a minute of silent walking. ‘I shouldn’t have let you see me like that.’

  ‘Guess I contributed, unwittingly. So I’m partly at fault,’ he said, glancing over at her. They walked on, the misshaped wheel ticking. ‘Want to talk about it? Might help.’

  She shook her head without looking at him. ‘Another time.’

  ‘Sure?’

  The front wheels bumped up onto the tarmac road. ‘Some things … are best left in the darkness, where they belong.’ Maddie glanced at him. ‘Which way?’

  ‘Left. See the wall opposite us? That’s the outer perimeter of Ta Prohm. We’ll be there in a few minutes.’

  ‘What then?’