Page 119 of Lost In Kakadu

Could it be a pantry? And could there still be food in there?

“Are you hungry, sweetheart?”

“Starving, as usual.”

He stepped from Abi and reached for one of the door handles. “Jesus!” He jumped back. Dozens of rats scurried off the shelves and scattered in all directions.

When the rats vanished as quickly as they appeared, Mackenzie smiled. The cupboard still had rows and rows of shelves laden with cans and jars. He reached for a tin, blew away the red dust and read what was left of the yellowing label. He laughed. “Beans … we’re being haunted by baked beans.” He turned the can over. “Ooh, do you think beans that are ten-years past their use-by date are still okay?”

“Well, you know the rules, you eat it first and if you’re still alive tomorrow, then I’ll eat some.”

“Ha, very funny. Actually, they probablyareokay.”

Removing a couple more cans from the shelf, he read the labels as he went. “Aah, canned tomatoes.”

“Do you think we can eat them?”

He shrugged. “We’ll see how the contents look first and if it smells okay, I don’t see why not. But let’s find you somewhere to rest first.”

She made a weak smile, and he knew she was in two minds. She was so stubborn, but that was one of the reasons he loved her so much. He took her hand and led her from the kitchen. A blackboard at the back of the room caught his eye. It still displayed chalk writing. They stood before it hand-in-hand and read the shabby scrawl silently.

Last bus leaves at 2.30 sharp on Thursday, anyone not on it will have to walk back. Last drinks will be from 10. Anyone too pissed will be made to walk. That includes you, Robbo.

Mackenzie huffed. “They had a sense of humour at least.”

“That’s a relief. I was beginning to wonder if we’d find a mass grave somewhere with a lone skeleton holding a shovel lying beside it.”

Mackenzie laughed. “You’ve got a good imagination.”

“What? You’ve only just realised that?”

The next building on the right-hand side was set apart from the others. Unlike the first two it was a double story with an extensive veranda spanning the length of the front. Mackenzie stepped up the three short stairs and could imagine a horse being tied up to the railingas he walked toward the entrance. He pushed through the swinging doors and then held them open for Abi.

He reached out his hand and led her into the room. “Come on, baby. I’m sure we’ll find somewhere to rest in here.”

She sighed and stepped toward him as if every movement was agony.

The setting was straight out of a scene from a country and western movie. Round tabletops were secured to large wooden barrels and dozens of empty bottles and glasses cluttered most of them. Rickety wooden chairs with wicker lattice were scattered about as if their last use had been in a bar fight.

A mirror and rows of glass shelving decorated the back of the bar and a carved sign hung over the counter. It read: ‘Koongarra Pub—a little gem in a slice of hell.’

Mackenzie huffed. “I think it’s officially true.”

“What’s that?”

“To be called a town in Australia, all you need is a pub.”

At the back of the room, a narrow set of stairs curled around a corner and disappeared.

Mackenzie walked to them. “I wonder what’s upstairs.” He waggled his eyebrows.

The first door at the top of the stairs revealed a bathroom. It had a red ringed bath with a plastic curtain dangling by just two hooks, a tiny basin and a toilet.

Abi pointed at the toilet. “You don’t suppose that still works, do you?”

“Try it.”

She pulled on the dangling chain and the pipes clunked as rust coloured water flowed into the bowl.

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