Page 65 of Lost In Kakadu

After removing the sharp spines from half a dozen spiral Pandanus leaves, Mackenzie wrapped the long strips of greenery around the quoll meat. He added a layer of paper bark and tied the bundle together with a strip of wire. He dug out the loose dirt from the earth oven he’d already used dozens of times.

With the axe, he scraped glowing stones from the fire into the pit and placed a layer of wet grass over them. Then he dropped his roast bundle on top. Smoke billowed from the ground as he covered it with more grass and hot rocks. To finish off he covered it with dirt and patted it down with the palm of his hand.

As he cleaned up, Abigail chose one of Charlie’s envelopes and removed the folded letter inside. She always took her time reading them, sometimes reading the same letter several times over. Despite her insistence, he hadn’t been able to bring himself to read them.

He caught her rubbing away a tear. “Why are you reading those sad letters?”

She jolted and turned to him. “I can’t help it. Will you let me read this one to you?”

“No, I told you I don’t like snooping into other people’s business.”

“Come on. It’s my birthday.” She grinned up at him, her eyes pleading.

Mackenzie agonised over his answer. He knew what it felt like tohave your privacy invaded. But maybe somehow this was different. Maybe Charlie would’ve wanted them to read the letters.

How else will we know what to do with them?

Sighing, he hoped he wouldn’t regret his decision. “Okay, but just this one!”

Slipping into the seat beside her, he tried to ignore his dirty feet as he stretched them toward the fire.

“Trust me, you won’t be able to stop at just one.” She cleared her throat. “I should really start with the first letter. It makes more sense to go in order. But this one just seems more appropriate given that it’s my birthday.”

“Just read the letter.”

She huffed. “Maybe I should give you some background?—”

“Read it, Abigail.” He poked her in the ribs.

“Okay.” She giggled before she began reading.

‘Hello Holly, it’s your father here,

Happy birthday, my beautiful girl. I can’t believe you’re eleven already. I thought my heart would burst with joy when I saw you in the park today. I felt like it was my birthday, too. Your pink dress made you look very grown up and your friends looked so happy. I wish I could have been there to celebrate with you, but your mother wouldn’t let me.

I’m sending some money for you to buy something special, and I hope your mum gives it to you this time.

In my dreams I give you lots of cuddles. I hope you get them. I will love you forever. Please write.

Your daddy …’

Abigail’s voice began to quiver. ‘Charlie.’

Tears balanced on her lower lashes, and she seemed more upset by the letter than the words warranted.

Something deeper was going on.

He placed his hand on her knee. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.” She dropped her eyes to the page. “It’s just so sad.”

“Do you think she wrote a letter?”

“Why do you think all these letters are here?” She patted the bundle. “His letters were returned. It’s hard to tell if she even read them.”

A tear escaped and trickled down her cheek and it took all his might not to wipe it away. Charlie had obviously put a lot of time and effort into all these letters. It didn’t make sense that he kept sending them, knowing they’d be returned. “Why wouldn’t she read them?”

“I have this horrible feeling his daughter doesn’t even know he existed.”

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