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Andrew’s eyes were closed but his thumb and his forefinger made a circle above his chest.

‘Jenny, I didn’t think to ask. Do you have any paracetamol? I’m almost out.’

‘Yes, Sandy, I have a whole box in my pack.’ Jenny looked down at Andrew. ‘Listen, I’ve been thinking. Instead of you staying here with Andrew when Graysen goes in the morning, why don’t you go with him? You’re both younger and fitter than us, and we can give Andrew the Panadol, and water, and look after him until you get back with help. You’ve found a secure possie here.’

‘What do you think of that, Graysen?’ Sandra was excited by the prospect of heading out with Graysen.

‘If Clive and Jenny are happy to stay here, it makes sense for us both to go.’

‘We can give you half of our water and some trail mix bars.’

Graysen held Sandra’s eyes with his. ‘What would you rather do, Sandra?’

‘I’d rather leave with you. We can organise help and I can ring my girls.’ She turned to Jenny. ‘That sounds selfish. If you would like to go, I’m happy to stay.’

‘No, Clive’s not up to it, and I’d rather stay with him.’

‘Okay.’ Graysen nodded. ‘We have a plan. Now we’d better get some sleep.’

Chapter 26

The last gorge

It was a long night, but strangely, having Clive and Jenny there and the five of them cocooned safely in the narrow gorge had taken away the tension. Even though the temperature had dropped, and the wind continued to gust, somehow it didn’t seem as cold with the extra bodies huddled together.

There’d been no need for Graysen to set his watch alarm because he dozed lightly all night, and seemed to wake every fifteen minutes. He was constantly aware that they could be found. The small light flickering should be okay, but he still worried. Every rustle, every stone moving, and the creak of the tree branches had him on edge. Before they called it a night, they chatted quietly, and Clive and Jenny told them more about themselves before they eventually all lay down to rest.

As the sky lightened almost imperceptibly Graysen looked down at his watch and then gently shook Sandra. She seemed to have slept well; he’d only been aware of her waking twice through the night. The first time they had given Andrew another dose of Panadol and water, but the second time she had sat bolt upright and stiffened. He’d sat up like a shot and listened and looked around, but she’d shaken her head.

‘Only a bad dream,’ she’d murmured. ‘Sorry.’

He’d held her close as they lay down again, and it was only a minute or so before her breathing was deep and even as she slept again. Now Sandra opened her eyes and smiled at him in the faint light. Her smile was sweet and he reached down and his lips hovered over hers.

‘Good morning, Sandra. Are you ready to go on our trek?’

‘After you cook me a hearty breakfast,’ she said, reaching up and kissing him.

Graysen smiled. ‘It’s good to see you chirpy this morning. I promise as soon as we get to Standley Chasm, I’ll get you whatever you want for a hearty breakfast.’

‘After we’ve called for help, I’ll take you up on that. I think I might be ready to eat by then.’

‘Back in a while.’ Graysen headed bush.

***

Sandra stood and stretched and looked down at Andrew as Graysen walked away.

The young man opened his eyes and she was sure she could see a smile in them.

‘..andra.’ He managed to say but Sandra put up her hand.

‘Sssh. You’re looking much better, Andrew. That makes me happy. Graysen and I are going back to Standley Chasm this morning and we should have a helicopter here for you hopefully within four or five hours.’

Andrew tried to make a sound and lifted both hands and make a sideways motion.

‘It’s okay. We know to be very, very careful. If we take a bit longer than I said, it means that we are taking extra care, so please don’t worry.’

‘We won’t be able to help ourselves worrying,’ Jenny said as she sat up and rubbed her eyes.