A Ring For Angelina
Page 6
ourselves Carmody said he could hear another vehicle, this time coming from the ranges, as we had done. In due course the sound of an engine reached our own ears and a short time later its source arrived – the station owner and his wife in one of their work Toyotas.
The stockmen had all departed on their Christmas break, the owner explained, so to ensure everything was going okay before starting on their own Christmas celebrations they were doing a final check of all the windmills and watering points. And rather than trying to get around the property in the one day they’d decided to take their time seeing where the storms had fallen and to visit Johnny and Angelina. Then, when they’d found themselves following fresh vehicle tracks heading toward the iron hut, they began to wonder if Johnny and Angelina might already have visitors and were curious as to whom it might be.
Then it was sad and sobering thoughts all round again as Chantal explained once more why we'd come and what we’d found here, and then followed up by giving her official version as to what had taken place. A lengthy silence followed as we reflected on Johnny and Angelina's personalities and the lives they'd lived, following which we began to reminisce about our experiences at the iron hut and to retell the many stories about them we'd heard over the years. The two geologists were able to contribute here as well, as during an earlier visit Johnny had spent a couple of days showing the two around – having, after all, during his time in the locality, accumulated a good working knowledge of the eastern Harts Range geology and its minerals.
As for the Christmas goodies… Well, the problem of what to do with them more or less solved itself, because the wake we held for Johnny and Angelina that night was the best I have ever had the privilege of attending. And, I would venture to add, one of the very best Christmas parties.
May that wonderful pair rest in peace.
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