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‘Borrow Johns?’
‘Yeah, ya know, abos, boongs, Aborigines.’
Katherine didn’t argue though she was surprised at his comments. After all, growing up in Adelaide, her experiences of Aborigines were mostly from a few documentary films she’s seen at school. Perhaps this derogatory view of them by Benjamin was fair comment. Somehow, they seemed to be an invisible group or just non-people in the Australian landscape and not even included in the census. She knew from her school days that the Australian Constitution treated them differently from other Australians. In spite of her limited knowledge she knew there was a strong movement to change this and there were some discussions that a referendum on the issue might be held in the near future.
‘I’m goin’ down the track to pick up me trailer,’ Benjamin called as he walked back to his vehicle. ‘I’ll be back pretty soon.
If ya like ya can make a fire an’ cook up some tea. I’ll leave some stuff.’
‘Okay, but don’t worry about the food. There’s still some in the Kombi and we can use that.’
Benjamin didn’t answer. He just dumped a box on the sand and pointed to it. He was about to say something when Carolyn’s crying increased to a crescendo and Katherine turned back to the Kombi. As she picked up the baby and soothed it over her shoulder, instinctively feeling to see how wet she was, she heard the diesel engine start and the increasing change of engine tempo as it drove away. Very soon the silence of the outback encompassed her once more. She sat on the edge of the Kombi’s open side doors, unbuttoned her shirt and fed her baby. In the peaceful quiet that always accompanied feeding time she suppressed any unbidden thoughts that she might be putting herself in a dangerous position.
Light was fading fast so, as soon as she finished feeding, she hurriedly collected firewood for the second time that afternoon. By the time the last rays of the sun disappeared and the soft light of dusk heralded the end of the day she had enough to start a little fire.
As the silence of the night fell Katherine’s fire burned brightly. A billy of boiling water was ready for tea or coffee, as was some cooked damper and stew. Confident she would be in Ceduna later
that night, Katherine extravagantly used the last of the tinned meat and added the last of the vegetables.
The noise of the returning Land Rover broke the silence. The vehicle, once more towing its trailer, pulled up in the track. Benjamin turned off the engine and strode across to the fire.
‘Smells good. Bit of a cook, are we?’ he said amiably.
‘Probably smells better than it tastes. I’m actually not a great cook but manage with the tinned stuff. I prefer fresh. Anyway, there’s plenty here, so go for it.’
‘Thanks, I’ll get me plate.’
After rummaging about behind the front seat of his vehicle Benjamin returned with a saucer-like plate and an enamel mug that revealed black chips around the edge. It was obviously an old friend. He took a generous serve and, using only a spoon, ate noisily while sitting on the edge of the box he’d previously thrown from the vehicle. Katherine sat cross-legged in the sand with her plate balanced between her knees and ate delicately with a knife and fork.
‘Bubs sleepin’?’ asked Benjamin pleasantly.
‘Yes. She’s really a very good baby. No troubles on the entire trip. She cries only when she’s hungry or needs changing.’
‘That’s good. Must like the bush.’
Katherine tried to make conversation but non-committal answers made it difficult so they continued eating in virtual silence. When the meal was over Benjamin stood and said, ‘Time ta git back on the road.’
It was very dark away from the campfire and Katherine depended on torchlight to clear up. She wiped the plates with paper then washed off the remains using the last of the boiling water from the billy. As she poured the waste on to the fire the embers hissed and released a small eruption of grey ash.
Benjamin appeared relaxed during the meal but now he suddenly seemed to be in a hurry to get going and he chivvied Katherine along. ‘C’mon, woman. Git what ya need an’ let’s go.’
‘I’ll just collect a few things from the Kombi. I’ll lock it, so it should be safe to leave some stuff.’
‘I don’t think we can put the basket up front; too crowded.’ Benjamin indicated the limited space on the front seats of the Land Rover as Katherine hoisted the bassinette up towards the passenger door. It was clear that the middle seat was too small and the red and yellow knobs of the smaller gear levers near the driver’s side limited the way in which passengers could arrange themselves. ‘How ‘bouts ya shove it in the back, under the tarp. Keep a coupla blankets in the front an’ tuck bubs up in the middle, eh?’
‘Yes, that’s the best alternative.’ Katherine organised the blankets while Benjamin took a torch and, using a broken branch as a broom, swept over the towing tracks into the bush.
Anyone passing that way would need to look fairly carefully to see where the vehicles had left the road. By the time Katherine had loaded the bassinette, sorted out the baby blankets and put Carolyn carefully in the Land Rover, Benjamin was impatiently insisting that they get going.
‘C’mon, woman. Let’s git movin’.’
Hurriedly she grabbed two suitcases. She tucked them under the tarpaulin then hastily climbed into the Land Rover to continue their journey towards Ceduna. It was only after they had travelled some distance down the track that she realised in her haste she had forgotten her purse. Her small case held very little: a few items for Carolyn, a few of her summer shirts, skirts and shorts, underwear and toiletries. She left her larger case behind knowing the stay in Ceduna was likely to be a couple of days at most. The other bag had all of the spare nappies. She’d left all her money behind. If she needed to buy anything she’d have to rely on Alec.
‘I’ve just realised I left my purse behind.’
‘Well, ya won’t need it will ya?’
‘No, probably not. Alec and I will probably be back in the morning. There wasn’t much in it anyway. I’m sure Alec has enough for the hotel or whatever in Ceduna.’ She wasn’t troubled and, in any case, he would have his chequebook. ‘It will be good to get this part of our adventure over. I’m looking forward to a hot shower and a cosy, soft bed.’
