Page 126 of Lost In Kakadu

Over the next twenty minutes, Abi fielded a barrage of questions regarding the drugs. Where they found it? What it was? How much was there? Detective Jenkins retained a serious look the whole time.

“So,” Jenkins dabbed a folded handkerchief across his forehead, “what did you do with the marijuana?”

“We used it to start our fire.”

“Mmm.” Jenkins brooded. “That’s what Mackenzie said.”

Abi shrugged. “It’s true.”

“I find it hard to believe you’d just burn it.”

“When you’re lost in the jungle and it rains nonstop for days on end, kindling is hard to come by.” She paused. “Dried marijuana was the perfect choice. It burns well.”

“You burned all of it?” Jenkins cocked one eyebrow.

“Not in one day. It took several days. But yes, we did burn it all. We learnt our lesson. After that we always kept a stash of wood in a dry place.”

There was a long uncomfortable pause before Detective Powder stood up. “Okay. Seems like we have everything we need.”

Abi looked into Jenkins’ drooping eyes. “Did the drugs have anything to do with us never being rescued?”

“In a roundabout way, yes.” Jenkins stepped back up to her bedside. “It seems the pilot had a successful drug running business. But we never found out where he was really taking you. He adjusted the flight plan and removed the GPS tracker.”

Abi nodded, remembering her prediction to Mackenzie all those months ago. She’d been right about the tracking device.

The following day Abi met Warruga, the Aboriginal park ranger who had found them. His smooth, black skin cracked to reveal white teeth when he smiled.

She shook his rough hand as she thanked him.

“I thought you were dead, Miss Abi.” It was difficult to understand his thick Aboriginal accent.

“Me too, Warruga. Me too.” She kissed his hand and he nodded at her gleefully.

Over the next couple of days, Abi spent every waking moment with Krystal. She was surprised by how much her daughter had changed, not only physically but emotionally. Krystal had matured ten years in thenineteen months since the plane crash and Abi felt like she was being reunited with a long-lost friend.

Abi was stunned to learn of Spencer’s mother’s death. Krystal told her how heartbroken the old woman had been. Not knowing Spencer’s fate had crushed her and, in the end, she gave up on life.

Her own mother’s death, however, was no surprise. She’d been dying a slow and lonely death for years. Even so, the loss of her mother affected her more than she thought she would.

Krystal told her about the four funerals she’d attended, one of which was Abi’s own.

It was an odd thing to know the details of her final resting.

Abi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Re-adjusting to civilisation was as difficult as her first few days in the jungle. Each day was exhausting, and she longed for the peace she’d found in Kakadu.

As the taxi drove toward her home, she was suffocated by her own reluctance to introduce Mackenzie to her previous life. But Mackenzie’s words of wisdom rang in her ears, “You can’t change the past. You can only learn from it.”

Her home had been sealed for so long that the cleaner had taken nearly a week to prepare it for their return and the first thing she noticed as she reached with her key was the highly polished brass doorknobs. The inside would be immaculate too.

She squeezed Mackenzie’s hand as she opened the door and stepped into the marble foyer. A wave of embarrassment washed through her. This was not a home; it was a statement. An over-the-top display of wealth that lacked any loving thought. Heat burned her cheeks as she waited for Mackenzie’s reaction. But he didn’t offer one.

Krystal skipped ahead, obviously eager to be home after being locked out for nearly a year.

Abi led Mackenzie into the formal lounge, and pointing at the fireplace, she cleared her throat. “At least we don’t have to forage for wood to keep the fire going.” Her attempt at humour seemed contrived, but to her relief Mackenzie laughed.

“I don’t think I’ll miss that.” He drove his hand through his silky hair.

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