Page 113 of Lost In Kakadu

She removed the leather-bound book from her pack.

“Find the antioxidant.” He sniffed the leaves. They smelled a little like cloves.

“Here it is.” She folded the book open.

Mackenzie laid the branch beside the page and compared the drawings and notes with the real specimen. The leaf was unmistakable with jagged edges that narrowed to a point, like a grape leaf. As described in the journal the berries were the same blood red colour and they were the size of a blueberry.

“I think this is it.”

“Are you sure?” Abi’s eyes glowed.

“Only one way to find out.” Mackenzie shrugged. He’d volunteered as the guinea pig for so many bush specimens he wondered if his chef’s palate would ever be the same. He plucked a couple of berries off the branch, tossed them into his mouth, winked at Abi and chewed. The leathery skin popped as he bit down and a sweet cranberry taste with a nutty overtone oozed onto his tongue. It was a pleasant surprise.

“And?” Abi asked.

“Well, I’m not dead yet.”

She thumped him in the shoulder. They’d debated a long time ago about testing new foods. Despite her reluctance they agreed that Abi would wait at least half a day after Mackenzie had eaten before she ate anything new. The wait would be difficult this time though as they’d eaten nothing but meat for many days.

“What are we going to do with the eggs?” he asked, distracting her.

Her eyes lit up. “I don’t know, what do you think?”

“I think we should boil one first and see what it’s like inside.”

“I’ll help with the fire.” Abi built the fire like an expert, starting with kindling at the bottom and increasing the size of the twigs she piled on top. She ignited dried grass with the camera lens and the flames grew by the second.

Mackenzie threw a large log onto the crackling flames. He secured the water-filled bowl between two logs in the fire and assessed its stability. Bubbles soon developed at the edges.

The egg’s heavy weight seemed out of proportion with its size as he eased it into the tepid water. It bobbed up and down like a cork and he decided the longer it boiled the better. After about ten minutes, he used two sticks to fish it out, and then crushed the shell and peeled it away to reveal white flesh inside. “It looks like a normal egg.” He raised one eyebrow.

She licked her lips. “Slice it open.”

He cut into the egg and was surprised the middle looked just like a boiled chicken egg. “Holy shit, it looks okay.” Mackenzie had half expected to see a small reptile curled up inside. He picked it up and gasped at the rancid smell, like a combination of eggs and anchovies that’d been in the sun for days. “Oh God … that’s disgusting.”

“Let me smell.” Abi recoiled after a quick whiff. “Is it off?”

“I don’t think so, but it’s going to taste like shit. Bon appétit.” He opened his mouth.

“No, wait. Let’s do it together. I need to eat something and if I see you gagging, I won’t be able to eat it.”

Determination flared in her eyes as she reached for the other half.

“Ready … set … go.” The bitterness stung his tongue, and the combination of the rubbery texture and overpowering fish taste made his eyes water. His throat constricted.

“That’s shit.” He choked it down.

Abi’s face contorted and she held her hand over her mouth. He recalled the first time he made her eat a mushroom. She’d gagged violently and then spat it out. Eventually she had no choice but to eat them and they were now a regular part of their diet.

Mackenzie fetched a water bottle. “We’ve eaten some pretty wretched stuff out here, but that takes the cake.”

Abi nodded, still struggling to swallow.

“I think I’ll make an omelette with the rest, and we can imagine it’s combined with freshly smoked salmon.”

Abi’s eyes bulged as she finally swallowed. “Oh God, that’s disgusting.” She stuck out her tongue. White flecks were still visible. “Do you still think they’re okay?”

“Yep.” Mackenzie hoped he conveyed conviction in his voice.

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