Page 54 of Summer in Sunset Harbour
Exploration Party
Josie,Tiffany, Lindsay, Geoffrey and Barney stood nearby as Robinson secured the climbing rope around the tree trunk and fastened it with a carabiner before fitting it to his belt.
‘Be careful,’ Josie said, getting a nudge in her ribs from Tiffany, who wore a wide grin. ‘What?’
‘A pound says it’s just an animal burrow,’ Tiffany said.
‘I’m going with the entrance to a secret government bunker,’ Geoffrey said.
‘A diamond mine,’ Barney said.
Lindsay just gave Josie a sympathetic smile. ‘I’m sure it’s nothing.’
Robinson fed the rope out as he walked backwards to the hole. He wore a hard hat fitted with a light, while he had changed out of his casual clothes into climbing boots and overalls.
‘Are you going to be all right?’ Josie asked, unable to help herself, despite a snigger from Tiffany.
‘No problem,’ Robinson said, then began to feed the rope out as he lowered himself into the hole.
‘You knew, didn’t you?’ Josie whispered, leaning close to her daughter.
Tiffany grinned. ‘Of course. He’s a certified caving instructor. It only took a minute or two of research to find out. Honestly, Mum, the internet would save you a lot of trouble if you figured out how to use it.’
Josie shrugged. ‘Maybe next week.’
They watched as Robinson, pausing briefly to give them a wide grin and a thumbs up, slowly abseiled down into the hole. As soon as he disappeared from view, they all craned forwards, trying to see how far he had gone down, but in truth, all they could see was the rope jerking back and forth for a few seconds before suddenly going slack.
‘Oh, God, what’s happened?’ Lindsay said.
‘Robinson!’ Josie shouted. ‘Are you all right down there?’
‘Mum, stop being so …keen.’
‘All good,’ came a faint cry. ‘Just give me a minute.’
They waited, glancing nervously at each other. The rope hung slackly into the hole, and no further sound came from inside. Josie glanced down at her feet, wondering if he was right below her, or whether he’d stepped over some hidden precipice and been lost forever.
‘Should we go and give the rope a tug?’ she suggested, after a five-minute wait that felt like three hours. ‘Perhaps he’s hurt himself.’
‘Just be patient, Mum. He’s a professional.’
‘I know, but what if he’s—’
The rope went suddenly taut, and a moment later Robinson appeared, climbing up out of the hole. Halfway out, he unclipped the rope and turned to face them.
‘Is that safe?’ Geoffrey asked.
Robinson grinned. ‘There are steps,’ he said. ‘I’m standing on them. It’s perfectly safe.’
‘Is it a mineshaft?’ offered Lindsay.
‘A sink hole?’ Tiffany said.
‘The entrance to hell?’ Barney suggested.
‘Treasure?’ Geoffrey said, although he sounded more optimistic than the others.
‘Are we going to have to close the campsite?’
