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‘Help me, please,’ he said. ‘We’ll make a carry chair and get her to help.’

Sandra lowered her head and closed her eyes.

‘Step back please, sir. Your name, ma’am?’

‘Sandra Porter.’

‘Right, thank you. Four-hand seat carry. We’ll have you to the facilities shortly, Mrs Porter.’ The two men positioned themselves behind Sandra, and she looked over her shoulder to see what they were doing. They faced each other as one grasped his left wrist with his right hand, and then reached for the other man’s right wrist with his left hand forming a seat. Before she knew it, she was being conveyed to the campground, with Ryan by her side.

She hadn’t realised how exhausted she was as she finally gave in to her tiredness. There was no need for pretence.

##

Half an hour later, Ryan and Sandra were sitting in the café with a member of the Federal Police force. She’d been to the amenities; Ryan had been waiting outside for her and walked her over to the café where they were now preparing a meal for her. Their rescuers—or whoever they were—had given her a towel and a hair brush, and a clean khaki shirt. Sandra had been to the toilet, washed her face and hands and brushed her hair, but her hands wouldn’t stop shaking.

As she lifted the tea cup, it sloshed over into the saucer.

‘We’ll leave you to rest, Mrs Porter.’ The tall man who’d identified himself as Jake Sandhurst stood and pushed his chair in. ‘When the others come back, if you’re up to it, we’ll interview you and take a formal statement.’

Sandra nodded. ‘Thank you, I appreciate your consideration.’

The trail was closed, but there were still campers at the campground. A middle-aged couple were having lunch at a table across from them, and the woman looked at Sandra curiously before she leaned across and whispered to her husband.

Sandra looked away.

‘We’ve allocated one of the empty cabins to you, if you’d like to have some rest and some privacy before the others come back,’ the policeman said, looking across at the couple.

‘Thank you.’

He handed a key to Ryan. ‘Number twelve, the second one along.’ His eyes narrowed. ‘Look after her. It was an incredible coincidence, wasn’t it? That you found her?’

Ryan’s expression was as innocent as a child’s. ‘It was. We knew Sandra was here on a trek, but we had no idea what had happened. We couldn’t believe it when we saw them on the trail and realised it was her.’

Jake nodded and walked down the stone stairs and across to the tent that had been set up near the police vehicles.

Sandra tried to lift the cup again, but her hand was still shaking and she gave up. Ryan smiled at her and lifted the cup and held it to her mouth.

‘You’re a good boy,’ she said. She drank as he held the cup and indicated that she’d had enough. The woman across from them was staring now. Sandra stared back, and then turned to Ryan. ‘How’s Dee? Is she sick of herself yet?’

Ryan’s rugged cheeks flushed a dull red. ‘Shit. Sorry, I mean damn. We’d better ring the girls back. They’ll be on edge. But I’ll ring Dee first, and you can have a very quick talk to her.’

Before Sandra could speak, he’d called on his mobile. ‘Dee, Sandra’s with me and she’s fine. Can you talk to her quickly, before we ring the others? She asked how you were. I thought you could tell her.’

Sandra took the phone as Ryan handed it over. ‘Hello Dee, how are you, darling?’

‘I’m very well, Sandra. I’m feeling good. When will you be home?’

‘Soon.’

‘Good, you can meet your two new grandsons.’

When Sandra looked up, there were tears in Ryan’s eyes. She smiled at him as her eyes filled. ‘I knew I shouldn’t have come away, but oh, darling, I’m so happy for you. You’re all well?’

‘We are. Still in the hospital, but the boys are making wonderful progress. I’ve got to go, but I’ll see you soon. Love you, Sandra. I’m so pleased you’re okay. We were all worried.’

‘See you soon. I’d better call the girls now.’

Sandra passed the phone back to Ryan and gripped his hand. ‘I’m so happy for you both, Ryan. Dee sounds good.’