Flight of the Jabiru (40 page)

Lara's happiness made her think of her father and tears filled her eyes again. She'd have given anything to share this wonderful moment with him. They'd missed so many moments. Thinking of her father reminded her of the reason she was in Australia. “We have so much to talk about, Rick,” she said, knowing it was time to tell him the whole truth.

“Yes, we do,” he said. “I want to know what happened to you in Darwin, but only when you are ready to talk about it.”

“I'll tell you what happened in Darwin,” Lara said. “But I also have much more to tell you,” she added. She prayed he understood.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Lara and Rick sat in her living room, holding hands with their fingers entwined because they needed the reassurance of touching. Lara began the story of what happened in Darwin with where Colin had parked the car and they went their separate ways. She'd already told him stories about Sid, so Rick knew who he was, but she cried when she told him that Sid had lost his life while trying to get back to his mates on the
Neptuna
when the harbor was being bombed.

Rick listened intently to her emotional story while her tears flowed. As Lara described the bombs dropping over the harbor, while she and Jiana watched the destruction from their hiding place in a state of disbelief and shock, Rick could comprehend how terrified they must've been because he'd seen the aftermath for himself. He knew he was the luckiest man alive to have her return to him safely.

Lara told Rick about Leroy from Humpty-Doo and how he'd given her his wife's shoes, water canteens, and a map.

“We were so grateful for a lift along the Arnhem Highway, and it was a sacrifice for Leroy as he only had enough gas to get there and back. Because of his generosity we were saved many, many miles of walking.”

Rick admired Leroy when she told him that he'd stayed behind to care for the town's animals, at risk to his own life, while the residents of Humpty-Doo evacuated.

When describing their arduous long walk home, Lara's expression brightened when she told Rick about the lagoon they'd been able to swim in, and how much she'd enjoyed it.

“It was like an oasis, Rick. I never wanted to leave,” she exclaimed.

Rick laughed when she told him about the Aboriginal boys who'd come across them in their underwear, then his eyes popped when she told him they'd walked miles behind the boys with a view of their naked bottoms.

Lara then wanted to know what happened to Rick when he went to the city. He told her about the Carrolls, and how George had lent him his motorbike. He told her about his visit to the hospital, and the morgue, and how painful it had been.

“I couldn't go straight back to Shady Camp while I believed you'd been killed in that building, so I went a little further south, into Throng Creek. I needed to be alone to try and figure out how I would survive without you.” He didn't need to go into detail about how distraught he'd been. Lara understood. “I was there for two or three days, at least I think it was that long. Time was a blur, but then out of the blue I remembered that I'd left my large trap set in Sampan Creek.”

“Why would you leave the trap there, miles from Shady Camp?”

“Oh, Lara, you don't know ... Last time I was there fishing, I saw the monster crocodile. It was on the day after Darwin was bombed. I immediately set the trap and came rushing back to town to tell you that he swam right beside my boat, but then Colin told me what he thought had happened in Darwin and I completely forgot about the trap.”

“You saw the monster crocodile!” Lara said excitedly.

“Yes, and you underestimated his size. He was a good eighteen feet long with the biggest head I've ever seen.”

“How can you be certain it was the same crocodile?”

“It had been raining, so he left a footprint. One toe was clearly missing.”

Lara was delighted that Rick had seen the monster croc, and this time it was more than just a glimpse. “Can you imagine what it was like to see him in the kitchen doorway?”

“No wonder you fainted. He's an amazing creature, Lara. I was in awe of him. He could be close to a hundred years old.”

“But he wasn't in your trap?”

“No. I'd caught a much smaller female. Possibly his mate,” Rick added with a smirk. “She was quite attractive. I know because I got a real close look at her.”

Lara rolled her eyes and smiled. “Only you would think a crocodile was attractive,” she said with a smile.

“I don't ever want to be that close again,” Rick admitted. “Crocodiles don't have the sweetest breath. Anyway, I remembered the trap and I didn't want any crocodile in it to starve to death, so I returned to the Shady Camp billabong area. I planned to set the croc free and then face the Shady Camp locals. I knew it was wrong to leave them wondering whether I'd found you or not.” Rick didn't add that most of the townsfolk already believed that Lara and Jiana had been killed. “Most likely I would've gone somewhere quiet to grieve, but I don't know if I ever would've gotten over losing you,” he added emotionally.

Lara understood how he felt after grieving for him for just two days. It was unbearable. “That's behind us now,” she said. “Tell me how your arm became caught under the trap.”

“The trapped female crocodile was in a particularly cranky mood because her nest was vulnerable to attack from other crocodiles and birds seeking to feed on her eggs or hatchlings,” Rick explained. “She'd battered the door so much it was bent out of shape and wouldn't open, so I was having a great deal of trouble trying to force it open. The croc kept attacking the wire of the cage, which rocked the dingy and trap. I don't know exactly how it happened, but as I struggled with the door, she went at the wire with such force that I slipped down beside the trap. At the same time I think she spun around and the trap rocked, almost tipping over. When it righted, my arm was caught underneath it. It all happened so quickly. I couldn't push or lift the trap off my arm with her weight inside, so I was stuck.”

“Oh, Rick. If Ross Crosby hadn't been nearby...”

“I would've been an easy meal for the first croc that came along,” Rick said, a shiver going up his spine.

“Well, you weren't, thanks to Ross. We owe him our lives,” Lara said.

“We do,” Rick agreed, squeezing her.

“I have something I need to tell you, Rick, something I haven't told anyone here in Shady Camp,” Lara said gravely. “It's the reason I'm here.”

“The reason?” Rick was baffled.

“Yes, before you marry me, you should know the truth.”

“I'm listening,” he said patiently.

“As you know, I was a teacher in England before coming out here. My father was stable manager on Fitzroy Estate, owned by one of Newmarket's landed gentry. Lord Roy Hornsby is a former military officer and a respected breeder of champion polo horses. His son, Harrison, was one of my pupils. Harrison is now eleven, but he's well advanced academically. He loves reading mystery novels and he's an avid stamp collector. His only outdoor pursuit is bird watching, so he's particularly fond of stamps that feature birds. His father is a former champion polo player. His playing days ended when he was shot in the upper thigh in Tobruk. The bone was shattered, so he was discharged from the army and can no longer ride, which I understand was a difficult blow. However, that is no excuse to force his ambition onto poor Harrison, who'd rather be anywhere but on the back of a horse.”

Rick shook his head. “In other words, he's trying to live out his ambition through his son.”

“Exactly! The week before a big polo match, Harrison was in a terrible state. He spent most of each day in the toilet because his stomach was so upset. I felt so sorry for him so I decided to attend the polo game to support him. It wasn't something I would normally do. Remember I told you my mother died when I was young?”

“Yes, you said she had an accident, a fall from a horse,” Rick said.

“That's right. I've had an irrational fear of horses since her passing. I never visit my father at Fitzroy Stables for that reason. However, Harrison needed support, so I wanted to cheer him on and encourage him. My father often came home from the stables angry because of the way Lord Hornsby treated poor Harrison. He was always so hard on him, and usually verbally critical. At one point my father spoke up for Harrison and nearly lost his job. Lord Hornsby does not take criticism very well.”

“Wasn't Harrison's mother supportive of her son?”

“I have no idea, but she wasn't at the match. Perhaps Lord Hornsby had forbidden her to go. Anyway, poor Harrison didn't do well and his father gave him no encouragement. Instead, he stood on the sidelines with a stony face. When Harrison was thrown from his horse, and hurt, he didn't go to his side. He actually refused him medical attention and took him back to the stables to give him a good dressing down. I know this because I followed them. I wanted to see if Harrison was all right but instead heard the terrible things that Lord Hornsby said to him. He was bullying him and belittling him. It was unbearable to listen to. Poor Harrison was sobbing and in obvious pain. I couldn't bite my tongue, so I intervened and defended Harrison. Lord Hornsby became even angrier, and threatened to have me fired from my job.”

Rick rubbed gently the back of her hand. “Did he have you fired? Is that why you came out here to work?”

“I lost my job, yes, but there's more,” Lara said, suddenly nervous about what she had to say. “Lord Hornsby was outraged that I'd dare to overstep my place. He came at me, ranting like a lunatic, and I backed away. He stepped on the head of a rake that must've been hidden in the straw on the stable floor because the handle flew up and hit him in the face, knocking out a front tooth.”

“Serves him right,” Rick said with no sympathy.

“He fell backwards and hit his head on a bucket.”

Rick's eyes widened. “Was he all right?”

“He was knocked unconscious, but for a few moments I thought the worst and so did poor Harrison. After I checked that he was breathing I called an ambulance that took him to hospital. I followed, taking his tooth with me, but he wouldn't see me. I understood he was probably humiliated and furious about his tooth. He was already giving the nurses a terrible time, so I knew he wasn't seriously injured, and went home. Soon afterwards the police arrived to arrest me. Lord Hornsby had accused me of assaulting him.”

“Surely the police didn't believe such a ridiculous allegation.”

“They did. I suppose I might've had a slight chance of being found innocent had I not accidentally assaulted a police sergeant at the station.”

“What? How?”

“I became frustrated because they wouldn't listen to me. I told them I was going to the hospital to straighten out the misunderstanding with Lord Hornsby. When a constable grabbed my arm, quite painfully, and I pulled away, my jacket sleeve ripped and my arm flew backwards.”

“Let me guess. The sergeant was standing behind you.”

“That's right. Breaking his nose was an accident, but he was angry and threw me in a cell for two whole days, with some rather unsavory types. My father got a lawyer, but at the hearing I was described to the court by Lord Hornsby's counsel as meddling, volatile, and tempestuous. This was backed up by Sergeant Andrews and Constable Formby. To make matters worse, the principal at my school refused to give me a character reference because he was closely acquainted with Lord Hornsby. The staff vouched for my good character and so did some of the parents, but it made no difference. I was sent to Hollesley Bay Prison on remand to be sentenced.”

Lara searched Rick's expression for disappointment and disapproval, but she only saw compassion, and love.

“Judge Mitchell turned out to be Lord Hornsby's brother-in-law, so what chance did I have? He came to see me in prison after I'd been there for nearly two weeks. He said I was to receive a custodial sentence of two years. But then he offered me an alternative to a jail term. I could teach here for two years. If I were to agree, then the court would be satisfied.”

“He meant Lord Hornsby would be satisfied,” Rick said angrily.

“I think Judge Mitchell knew I was innocent, but being related to Lord Hornsby probably put him in a difficult position. However, I agreed.”

Rick looked down at their entwined fingers.

Lara studied his features. “Are you appalled?” she asked in a small voice.

“Yes,” Rick said vehemently.

Lara's heart lurched.

Rick looked into her blue eyes intently. “I'm appalled with the justice system in England and with Lord Hornsby, who is far less of a man than his poor son. But I'm not appalled with you, Lara. You could've stayed in a prison in England, close to family and friends, but you chose to travel across the world to help children. You've been wonderful for the children in this town. The circumstances that brought you here are incredible and certainly unjust, but the children love you. I love you!”

“Oh, Rick, thank you for understanding,” Lara said hugging him. She felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. “Aren't you angry that I didn't tell you before now? I've wanted to. I just didn't know where to begin.”

“What we've been through puts everything into perspective doesn't it?” Rick said.

“Yes, it does. Some things don't seem important, while others seem more important than ever.”

“Did you really break the sergeant's nose?” Rick asked with his familiar cheeky grin.