Page 87 of Lost In Kakadu

“Your mum must have been so proud of you.”

“Yeah. When Dad finally took his beer and left us, she hugged me so hard I could barely breathe. Her heart pounded in her chest and yet in front of my dad you could’ve sworn she was as calm as ever.”

“She sounds like an amazing woman.”

“She was.”

Abi couldn’t sleep that night. The feelings she’d had in the bath still pulsed through her, torturing her body and confusing her mind. She decided to read Charlie’s next letter instead. Mackenzie had already started breathing deeply in the bed beside her when she crawled out.

She was drawn to Charlie’s words. They were often as cruel as they were compassionate. After selecting the next pink envelope, she settledby the fire. The first thing she noticed was the envelope didn’t have ‘return to sender’ written upon it. Then she noticed there was no stamp.

Charlie never posted it.

“Oh Charlie,” she whispered, glancing at his grave. “Don’t tell me you gave up?” With a heavy heart she flipped open the seal, removed the folded page and spread it out on her lap. His distinctive, slanted script was as beautiful to look at as his words were to read. He’d sketched an elaborate flower in the top corner of the page and Abi recognised it as the oriental lily, her favourite flower.

She sighed before she began to read.

My dearest Holly,

You looked picture perfect today. Your wedding dress was the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. I know brides always look amazing on their wedding day, but you were truly heavenly. Your new husband looked so proud and dashing in his grey suit. I noticed that you chose white lilies as your flowers. Did you know they are my favourite too? I bought them for your mother all the time. Where are you going for your honeymoon? Somewhere exotic? Or secluded?

I’m so happy for you both and I hope one day you will see it in your heart to invite me in. I’m sure your mother has filled you with poison about me that simply isn’t true. I desperately wanted to hold you today, to tell you I love you. But your mother demanded that I stay away from your special day. You looked very happy. I’m so proud of you.

I love you, always will.

Your father,

Charlie

Abi neatly folded the letter into quarters and returned it to the envelope. “Good for you, Charlie.” Holding an imaginary wine glass up to toast Charlie, she pictured him hiding in thick bushes and smiling as his daughter emerged from her wedding car.

Instinct told her he hadn’t posted any more letters, though. He would’ve chosen to leave his daughter alone instead.

She was angered by his silence.

Krystal’s image entered her mind. Would she have the opportunity to be at her daughter’s wedding and if so, would Krystal want her there?

Abi’s shoulders sagged.

Her situation was very similar to Charlie’s.

Except she never tried hard enough.

Chapter Forty

Mackenzie walked away from the plane wreck with his head bowed studying the compass he’d cut from the cockpit’s shattered instrument panel several months ago. His goal was to find his way back to the plane using just the compass. He did an about face keeping the needle on the north point and within twenty minutes the plane was back in view.

“What are you doing?” Abi came toward him, a curious frown wrinkling her forehead.

“I’m working out how to use a compass.”

“Ooh, I can do that.”

Now that was something he’d never have guessed. He raised an eyebrow.

“I can. I learnt orienteering at college. Hated every minute of it though. Traipsing all over the countryside following a damn needle.” She held her hand out.

Mackenzie huffed as he handed the compass over.

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