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Paul had laughed along with her, but I could tell he was keeping a close watch on her.
Paul and I were used to this climate, both being Darwin locals. In fact, it was pleasant weather for us. I was glad Norah hadn’t chosen to visit in January.
The billabongs were beautiful, and I could see why they were popular. We hiked around to the far edge, and I wondered why Paul had suggested that when another group of tourists arrived soon after us. He’d definitely picked the best spot.
Marit and Kari went in the water first, laughing as they dived under. Norah gave me a nervous nod. “Are you going in?”
“Yeah. Guess I will,” I said, dumping my backpack.
“There aren’t crocodiles, are there?”
“Nah.” Not the saltwater kind, anyway. I didn’t say that out loud, even though it was right on the tip of my tongue.
Paul bit back a smile as if he could read my mind. “No, there are no crocs here,” he said.
So, with a nod and seeing the tourists on the other side were also going in, Norah waded out into the water.
“Does she really think you’d bring them to a croc-infested waterhole?” I asked. “Anyway, she’s more likely to meet an inland taipan here than a croc.”
Paul snorted. “Don’t say that.”
I pulled off my socks and shoes and pulled my shirt over my head. Paul’s gaze went straight to my chest, and I could tell he tried not to look, but the ink caught his eye.
“That’s new.”
It was a spray of pink, purple, and orange across my heart, with fine geometric lines in the shape of a trapezium.
I nodded. “So is the one on my back.” I walked out into the water, giving him a full view of the new tattoo there. No one who ever saw it knew what it was, not without asking. It just looked like a large intersecting mass of triangles: fine lines, a geometric design.
A map of the stars, covering half my back.
Paul knew though.
He wouldn’t know the significance, but he knew what they were at least. Probably the only person in my life whowouldknow.
I dove into the water. Cool and refreshing, and exactly what I needed to clear my head. I swam out to where Kari and Marit were. Norah was floating on her back, drifting, looking up every so often to check where she was.
“Norah said your telescope is very good,” Marit said. “She said we should look tonight. If that’s okay?”
“Yeah, absolutely.” The more people the better. It meant less chance of Paul and me being alone.
Coming here to see him had been a mistake. And even though it hurt and even though it was not the outcome I’d wanted, maybe I could use it as closure.
He’d moved on, and it was time for me to do the same.
Lunch was chicken and salad on bread rolls, with some cut fruit and juice. “Do you carry all this?” Kari asked, nodding. “Heavy to carry, yes?”
Her English wasn’t perfect, but Paul was good at encouraging her to speak more often. He was so good at this job.
“Yeah, it’s heavy,” he agreed. “But it’s good exercise. No need for a gym membership.” He flexed his biceps with a grin. “And it’s always lighter going back, which is the most important part.”
My mind was still replaying his biceps flexing to realise that yes, he did have to carry all the food and drinks. Maybe that was why he insisted we each carry our own water, at least.
I kinda felt bad though.
The women decided on a short walk around the edge of the water to the rocky outcrop on the far side, but I was happy to sit in the shade. “I’ll watch our camp,” I said. “You guys go.”
Paul studied me for a second. “Are you sure?”
