Page 120 of Lost In Kakadu

“Ha, it does.” She grinned.

“I bet the other room’s a bedroom.” Mackenzie indicated for Abi to go first.

She side stepped to the other doorway and pushed it open. Cherry red papered walls were a dramatic contrast to the white lace curtain surrounding the double bed. Cobwebs secured an idle ceiling fan in place.

Abi pulled the lace curtain aside and sat on the bed. “This room’sbeen sealed up for a long time and yet there’s no dust. It’s like opening a vault.” She flopped back. “It’s wonderful.”

Mackenzie lay down beside her, melted into the soft mattress and closed his eyes. “A real bed. Damn this feels good.”

Abi groaned and he rolled toward her. His throat constricted when he looked into her green eyes. They were so tired and yet a determined fire still burned beneath.

He cupped his hand on her neck, threading his fingers through her long hair. He leaned forward and kissed her, a short tender kiss, reassuring her they were going to be okay. “How’re you feeling?”

“You mean besides tired, hungry and every muscle aching?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh well, then I’m good.”

“Excellent. This is where you’re staying while I make?—”

“I’ll come and help.” She went to sit up.

“No, Abi.” He held her back. “You need to rest. For you and our baby.”

Her shoulders softened and her jaw relaxed as she nodded.

Mackenzie stood and lifted her feet onto the bed. She rolled to her side, pulled her knees up to her belly and wriggled up so her head was on the pillow. She sighed and Mackenzie could only just imagine the relief she was feeling right now.

He leaned over and kissed her. “You can sleep if you want to. When you wake up, I’ll have some food ready.”

“Wake me, please. I’m really hungry.”

“Okay, sweetheart.” He kissed her again. “I’ll be back soon.”

By the time he left the room, her breathing had already become deep and steady, and she’d be asleep in a matter of minutes.

Mackenzie crossed the dirt road and explored the four remaining buildings. They were dormitory style living quarters. Some of the wardrobes still contained clothes and reaching for a navy-blue shirt he read the embroidery over the right breast: Koongarra Gold Mine. He quickly tore off his sweat-soaked clothing and shrugged the new shirt on, then rummaged in the cupboard for a bigger shirt for Abi.

Mackenzie noticed a newspaper under one of the beds and reached for it. It was dated 16th September 2000. He wondered what the date was now. They’d long ago stopped counting the days since the crash. Itwas eight months before they left the plane and it had been at least another six or seven months based on Abi’s belly. But he couldn’t even guess how many days, or even months they’d been travelling in total.

He scanned the room, frowning at just how much equipment was still there.

Why didn’t they come back for all this stuff?

Chapter Fifty-Five

In the ensuing couple of days, despite enjoying their new comfortable surroundings, Mackenzie realised there was still no end in sight. He had a bizarre feeling about their new situation, like he was trapped in a halfway house. Halfway to civilisation and halfway from the brutal jungle they’d left behind.

They would need to start moving again soon but seeing how much Abi enjoyed the security of the buildings and the comfortable bed made the decision even harder.

The windmill provided an abundance of water, and he boiled away any impurities. To his delight the tins of food were perfect to eat, and Mackenzie whipped up some delicious meals. The dingo showed itself on a few occasions; however, it seemed unperturbed by their presence and kept out of their way.

On the fourth day in the ghost town, they sat on the pub veranda watching the sunset when Abi turned to Mackenzie with a serious look in her eyes.

“I think we need to get going soon.” Her voice was tainted with awe and fear.

“What’s wrong?”

---