Catch Me If I Fall

by Barry Jonsberg

‘As you must have worked out, we are here,’ he said, smiling. ‘This is home for the next five days. Your luggage is being taken out of the hold as I speak and I ask that you claim your bags first. Then the boys will follow me and the girls will follow Ms Anderson and we will show you where you are sleeping. Once you have made yourselves comfortable and unpacked whatever needs unpacking, we will have lunch and Ms Anderson and I will tell you about the activities for the rest of the day. Any questions?’

  There weren’t, so we filed down the bus’s steps and made our way to the mound of luggage that the driver had emptied from the belly of the coach. I had only one smallish bag and Aiden’s wasn’t much bigger and we managed to get through the scrum of kids to pick them up. I was the first to line up behind Ms Anderson, a small woman with unnaturally dark hair and a large hairy mole on the left side of her face. She smiled at me, but it didn’t shed much warmth. I didn’t know who Ms Anderson was, but guessed she might have been a teacher from another year level. Perhaps she was the principal. I suppose I could’ve asked her, but her expression didn’t invite questions. Already I was missing Mr Meredith and we hadn’t really started the camp yet.

  Sixteen girls eventually got their stuff and lined up behind me. Charlotte was towards the back because she’d brought three suitcases. When Dad saw her at the school he’d made some comment about bringing the kitchen sink, but he doesn’t really know what girls need when they go away from home. I would’ve taken loads more if my parents hadn’t stopped me.

  The dormitory was large with a high ceiling fretted by wooden beams. Old-fashioned electric lights dangled occasionally from the rafters, though they were turned off. Two barred windows spilled light onto polished floors and twenty or thirty bunk beds were lined up along the walls. Ms Anderson said we could choose, so Charlotte and I picked a bunk close to the toilets and shower. It was only later that I wondered if this was wise. After we’d put our stuff in lockers beside the bunks, we took our toiletries into the bathroom. There were five toilets and five shower cubicles. Ms Anderson said we would have to negotiate the use of both and that this was one of the aims of the camp, to instil a sense of cooperation among students who might find that a challenging and maybe unique proposition. I didn’t quite understand what she meant by that.

  Lunch was fairly basic, just some bread rolls with a selection of cheeses and processed meat-substitutes. We ate outside on the verandah, and although some kids tried to sit in the open air, Mr Meredith shooed them into the shade. Aiden stayed inside to eat his green, snot-looking goo. He understands that it often grosses people out if they see him eating it. He’s considerate that way. When we’d finished, Mr Meredith called us to order.

  ‘Welcome to camp,’ he said. ‘You are going to have a wonderful time over the next five days, I guarantee it. Back in the day, many schools would have camps but now there’s only one school in the whole of Sydney that provides this service to its Year Eights. If you can’t work out which school this is, then I can’t help you and maybe you should give up any hope of getting a decent education.’

  We laughed in a sort of dutiful way and Ms Anderson took over.

  ‘A few housekeeping rules,’ she said. ‘You know the toilets are in your dormitories and I shouldn’t have to tell you that boys are restricted to their area and girls are restricted to theirs. Anyone found breaking this rule will be sent home immediately. Each day we will be engaged in a separate activity. This afternoon we will be going for a short hike in the bush – about a kilometre and a half, that’s all – to a small lake where you can swim.’ There was a murmur of excitement and she held up her hand. ‘Bring your bathers when we assemble in about an hour. Mr Meredith and I will provide sunblock, hats and T-shirts for anyone who forgot to pack those items. You cannot swim until we give you permission that it is safe to do so. Anyone breaking this rule will be sent home immediately.’

  There was quite a bit more. How we didn’t have any signals for tablets out here and that as a result we wouldn’t be travelling far from the camp, in case the weather turned nasty and we had to make it back to safety in a hurry. Most importantly, we had to follow all instructions by all adults during our stay at camp.

  ‘If anyone fails to do this …’ said Mr Meredith. ‘Well, you can guess the rest.’ He smiled and we smiled, though not with the same strength. I think we were all keen to get out of the building and into the fresh air. But we had to wait an hour. For our food to digest, said Mr Meredith. You can’t go swimming on a full stomach, said Ms Anderson. You can get cramps. I didn’t believe any of that. I’d swum plenty of times after lunch and it had never affected me. But there was nothing I could do. Even after the hour passed it took time to get going because we all had to be inspected by the teachers to make sure we had on sufficient sunblock and that our hats were big enough to keep the sun from our face, neck and shoulders. One girl tried wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt but she was made to change. Finally, we all trooped out into the early afternoon sunshine.

  One of the camp assistants unlocked another gate at the back of the property and we filed through, Ms Anderson taking the lead, the class following and Mr Meredith and another assistant at the rear. Charlotte and I stayed towards the back. Aiden walked by himself a few metres ahead of us, glancing over his shoulder from time to time. I gave him a hard stare when he’d done this about ten times and after that he didn’t check on me quite so much.

  The walk was wonderful. None of us really got out into nature very much and although our garden at home was very big and secure, it wasn’t quite the same as being in what seemed to us a wilderness. Mr Meredith would occasionally point out certain types of trees as we passed them. He even had a go at identifying birds from their calls alone, and we spied a couple of raptors circling over us at one point, which was very exciting. I kept an eye out for snakes, but Mr M assured me that the chances of stumbling across one were remote. That didn’t stop me looking, though.

  The lake wasn’t really a lake, more of a waterhole, but it was beautiful, with shades of green and blue reflecting from the water. At the far end there was a rock face that rose straight up and a waterfall splashed from about ten metres over our heads, providing a natural shower, thousands of droplets dimpling the surface and rainbows pulsing into and out of existence. The whole class stood still for a couple of seconds and then we were all frantically getting our pants or dresses off. The teachers tried to tell us something about the depth of the water and to take care, but no one was listening. About ten of us hit the water at the same time and the cold made us gasp. It was a delicious change from the humidity and there was much whooping and shouting as the rest of the class joined us. Probably because I live in a house with a pool, I was the first to make it to the far end and I floated on my back, letting the waterfall pound my face. Aiden joined me a few moments later and we lay, head to head, blinking through the downpour into an impossibly blue sky. I laughed, but that turned to spluttering as I discovered it’s not a good idea to open your mouth under a waterfall. Then a whole bunch of kids turned up and that put an end to the floating.

  We spent three hours in that waterhole and I reckon we could’ve spent at least three more, but Mr Meredith and Ms Anderson made us get out and dry ourselves off before the walk back.

  ‘I know, I know,’ said Mr Meredith as we all protested and pleaded for some extra time. ‘But we have to get back, get showered and get ready for dinner.’ He put a finger to his chin. ‘Or do you not want a barbecue tonight? No sizzling soy sausages and fried onions and veggieburgers and toasted marshmallows for dessert? Well, if you’re sure that’s what you want. Or rather, what you don’t want …’

  And that, of course, produced howls of protest and laughter. So we dried ourselves as best we could – our shirts would probably dry on our backs in about five minutes while we walked – and set off on the return journey. Once again, Charlotte and I stayed at the rear of the group, just behind Ms Anderson this time and a hundred metres in front of two camp assistants who amb
led along looking bored. After a few minutes, I pulled on Charlotte’s sleeve and put a finger to my lips when she turned to look at me.

  ‘I’m bursting for a wee, Charlotte,’ I whispered.

  ‘Well, let’s hurry,’ she said. ‘It can only be ten minutes to camp.’

  ‘I can’t wait ten minutes.’

  Charlotte sighed. ‘Well, duck behind those bushes,’ she said. ‘I’ll keep watch for you.’

  ‘Come with me. Please? What if there are snakes? Please, Charlotte?’

  ‘There won’t be snakes. You heard Mr Meredith.’

  ‘But what if he’s wrong? Please? I’ll be quick.’

  She sighed again. ‘All right, you big baby. But you’d better be quick.’

  And I was. Charlotte stood with her back to me while I pulled my knickers down and squatted behind one of the huge bushes that lined the track. What a relief. I was just about to get up when I heard voices in a murmured conversation. In the emergency that was my bladder I’d forgotten about the two assistants following behind and it was clear they hadn’t seen us leave the track, maybe because we’d just turned a bend. When I poked my head out carefully, they were standing on the track, smoking. And talking.

  ‘Tellya, there’s gotta be a better way of earning a living than this,’ said one.

  ‘Mate, it ain’t exactly hard yakka,’ replied the other.

  ‘Nah. That’s not what I meant. It’s easy work, sure. But it hurts me, mate, it hurts me to be babysitting these spoiled rich brats.’

  ‘They’re just kids and it’s not their fault. Give ’em a break, man.’

  The first man inhaled and blew out a cloud of bluish-grey smoke.

  ‘I know it’s not their fault and I’m not gonna say anything, but I’m just sayin’ to you; there are starvin’ kids all over Australia, let alone the world, and these ones here … well, you heard that teacher. Sausages, burgers, toasted fricken marshmallows for God’s sake. It’s not right. That’s all I’m sayin’. It’s not right.’

  The other man clapped him on the shoulder.

  ‘No argument from me,’ he said. ‘But it’s the way it is and you and me, we have no say in how the world goes, mate. No power. So keep your head down and do your job. Who knows? Maybe the odd soy sausage could slip accidentally into your pocket. Just get food on your family’s table. You’ll find that’s worth a whole world of hurt feelings.’

  The other man snorted. ‘I hate you, mate.’

  ‘No, you don’t. Come on. Stub out that smoke and let’s catch up.’ He laughed. ‘Maybe one of those brats will get a blister and if we’re not on duty it’ll be our fault. They might shoot us.’

  And in thirty seconds they were gone. I turned to Charlotte and saw the anger in her face that was probably a reflection of mine. I could feel a hot flush on my cheeks and my teeth were grinding so hard they hurt.

  ‘They can’t call us that,’ I said.

  ‘“Spoiled brats”,’ said Charlotte. ‘How dare they? How dare they? We have to tell Mr Meredith, Ash. I don’t want those men around me. Around us. I want them gone. My dad will be so angry when I tell him. More than anyone, he knows that security guards shouldn’t speak like that. It’s totally unprofessional.’

  ‘I agree,’ I said. ‘And I think Mr Meredith is going to be so mad with them.’

  ‘I see,’ said Mr Meredith. We’d asked to have a private word with him, while the rest of the students showered and changed for the barbecue, and he’d taken us outside to an eating area with tables and benches already set up for dinner. There was no one else around. ‘And you want to make a formal complaint?’

  ‘Yes,’ said Charlotte. ‘Definitely.’

  ‘Yes,’ I said.

  ‘Hmmm. That is, of course, your right, ladies.’ He sat at one of the benches and toyed with a fork, head bent. Charlotte and I sat opposite. I’d calmed down a little, but I knew we were doing the right thing. Those men were paid by the school, but the school was paid by my parents. They worked for us and should therefore have respect. It wasn’t good enough to be horrible about us behind our backs while they took our money. Plus, they were planning to steal some of our food. It wasn’t fair, especially when apparently there were plenty of other men, honest men probably, looking for work. Charlotte made these points to Mr Meredith quite forcefully. I found myself nodding as she talked.

  ‘Okay,’ said Mr Meredith when Charlotte was done. ‘I hear you loud and clear. But can I ask one favour?’ He didn’t wait for a reply, but carried straight on. ‘Keep this to yourselves for the time being, okay? I don’t want other students hearing about this, maybe saying something to the assistants. That would not be good for morale in camp and it is my duty to make sure that all the students enjoy themselves without worrying about anything, if that is possible.’ He put the fork down and looked us straight in the eyes. ‘I would take your silence on this matter for the rest of our stay as a personal favour. Do you understand?’

  We nodded and he smiled.

  ‘Then your complaint is registered, girls, and will be dealt with. I hope, however, you can put this unpleasantness to one side and enjoy the rest of the camp.’

  We stood and I remembered feeling pleased that we had made a stand. But it seemed Mr Meredith wasn’t done with me just yet, because he asked if he could have a word with me in private. Charlotte looked slightly put out but there wasn’t much either of us could do, so she walked back to the camp hut and I sat down again. Mr Meredith went back to toying with the fork and for a minute or two there was silence. Then he glanced up at me and smiled.

  ‘Do you want to see something marvellous, Ashleigh?’ he said.

  I nodded. He placed the fork back down carefully in its place, stood and walked over to the far reaches of the area in front of the building, to the right of the entrance gates, still securely padlocked. I followed. Mr M stopped and pointed into the bush.

  ‘What do you think of that?’ he asked.

  I squinted, but couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary.

  ‘I can’t see …’ But then I could. It must have been the slight movement of my head and the way the setting sun was positioned, but I saw it and it almost took my breath away. A huge web, at least a metre in diameter, interlocking filaments glowing golden in the dying light. And there, right at the centre, was a massive spider, its legs long and splayed, mottled red, grey and black, its swollen abdomen gunmetal grey. The web shimmered slightly in the breeze and gold danced in the evening light. I wasn’t scared. Maybe I should’ve been. This was the biggest spider I had ever seen and its web looked big enough and strong enough that if I put my hand into it, I might never pry it loose. But it was so beautiful.

  ‘A golden orb-weaving spider,’ said Mr Meredith. ‘Isn’t it magnificent?’

  I nodded.

  ‘They used to be really common in Australia,’ he continued, ‘but changes in the climate over the last fifty years have drastically reduced their numbers. Like so many insects and animals. I thought you’d like it, Ashleigh.’

  ‘It’s stunning.’

  Mr Meredith took a step towards the web and beckoned me closer. I followed, but cautiously. The spider was colossal and trembled slightly in the centre of its home, like it might be preparing to jump. But I trusted my teacher to keep me safe.

  ‘See there, Ashleigh?’ he said. ‘At the top of the web?’ It was another spider, a tiny one this time. Maybe it had been caught itself and was moments away from becoming a meal.

  ‘That’s the male,’ said Mr M. ‘Weird, isn’t it, the difference in size between the female in the centre and the male hanging around the edge? Oh, and see those little bundles of silk lined up just beneath the male? That’s the larder. Insects caught in the web that the female has wrapped up for dinner later.’

  I found my mouth was hanging open, so I shut it.

  ‘Some creatures in nature have the most beautiful, intricate homes,’ he continued. ‘Glorious creations that they built themselves with hard work, skill and agai
nst all odds.’ He put a hand on my shoulder. ‘Makes you feel quite humble, doesn’t it?’

  I nodded.

  ‘Please don’t tell the other children about this, Ashleigh,’ Mr Meredith added. ‘Though your brother would be an obvious exception, if you insist he keeps it secret as well. You see, some people might destroy it, rip the web apart, not because the spider is doing them any harm, but because they have the power. Some people, sadly, like to wield power. And I’m not sure if we could live with ourselves if we ripped up the life of another living creature for no good reason at all. You’re not that kind of person, are you, Ashleigh?’

  ‘No, Mr Meredith,’ I said.

  He smiled. ‘I thought not. I’m a good judge of character.’

  We’d returned to the dining area by this time and other kids were coming out to take their places. The assistant who’d smoked on the walk back was getting the barbecue ready, checking the gas bottle and scraping stuff off the grills. He smiled as one of the kids asked him something.

  Mr Meredith squatted down in front of me.

  ‘That’s Mr Dyson,’ he said. ‘Do you remember the Sydney bushfires about ten years ago?’ He shook his head and laughed. ‘Of course you don’t remember. You’d only be two years old. I’m an idiot. Well, there were hundreds and hundreds of deaths. It was a huge tragedy, one of the worst in a couple of decades. Mr Dyson lost his wife to those fires. Now he’s bringing up their son by himself. He’s being looked after by a neighbour while Mr Dyson is here with us. I know he misses his son, but what can you do? A man has to earn a living.’

  He straightened and clapped his hands.

  ‘Well, off with you, child. Shower and then out here for dinner.’ I turned to go. ‘Oh, and Ashleigh?’ he added. I turned back. ‘It’s great to see you and Charlotte becoming friends. She needs someone to talk to about important things.’

  I smiled, nodded and went into the dormitory. I was excited and not just by the prospect of the barbecue. Mr Meredith and I shared a secret, one I could reveal only to Aiden. He was going to be so excited when I showed him. He loves everything to do with animals and nature.