Free Paradise Lost: Tales of the Dead Tropics by Sue Edge Page A

"Thanks Mummy! Oh, and can I borrow $20?"
    ****
    Surprisingly, we got out of the house on time. Being winter, Cairns was enjoying a glorious day. Brilliant blue skies, balmy breezes and lush green hills on all sides. Even after all these years, its beauty could still take my breath away. However, it seemed I was the only one taking notice of our beautiful surrounds. Michele had her iPod plugged in, the twins were loudly singing a Wiggles tune while Joe tried to listen to the news.
    "Shush, kids!" he called out abruptly as he turned up the radio.
    "...at least 5 suspected cases of the unidentified strain of encephalitis are currently being transported from Mossman to the Cairns Base Hospital where they will undergo testing to confirm the diagnosis. All the victims so far have been employees of the Coldman Mining Company; however, anyone who has been to the Mossman region recently see their doctor immediately if they experience symptoms such as a sensitivity to light, headaches, vomiting and a stiff neck. It is suspected that the virus is being transmitted by mosquitoes which may have been disturbed by the mining operations. As a result, people are being advised to stay clear of Mossman until further notice..."
    I sighed. "Looks like I am going to be busy at the hospital today." The shortage of nurses at the hospital meant that we were spread pretty thin and an influx of Emergency cases was going to make it a hairy day.
    Joe shook his head in dismay. "If they have this many patients in one day, this could very well turn into an epidemic."
    "I wouldn't worry about it, the Department of Health will be on top of it."
    He quirked an eyebrow at me. "Lori, I love your trusting nature, my sweet."
    I snorted. "You know what you can do with that condescending attitude, mister. You wait and see, this will all blow over in a few days."
    Yeah, I know, I owe the man an apology.
    At the jetty, my brother in law, Andy, was already waiting with a few other guys in front of a medium sized fishing boat. "About time, git." He called out as we pulled in. "Putting on your makeup, were you?"
    Joe pulled his gear out of the back of the four wheel drive. "Don't need makeup, mate. I'm naturally gorgeous. You, on the other hand..."
    I interrupted their good natured bantering. "Hey Andy, make sure you guys do less drinking and more fishing this time, will you? That puny fish you brought home last time was an embarrassment."
    Andrew wandered over and gave me a hearty kiss on the cheek. "Leave the fishing to the men, Lori, and we'll leave the childbearing to the women."
    Joe laughed and pulled Andy away. "We'd better get on the boat now, mate! Lori may be 5 feet nothing but she's a fiend behind the wheel, and I don't like the way she's looking at us!"
    I grinned at them as I reversed out of the car park. "This is me secretly jumping for joy at the prospect of not seeing your sorry asses for a whole weekend." My last glimpse of them was in the rear view mirror as they laughingly loaded their gear onto the boat.
    After dropping Michele at the shopping mecca which was Central Shoppingtown, I drove along the highway towards my sister's home in the hills. I passed the usual droves of tourists lounging on the Esplanade, a green stretch of park paradise that separated the city from the sea. It was an irresistible attraction for families, bird lovers, sun seekers and active people with its boardwalk, mudflats, palm trees, playgrounds, bicycle paths, skateboarding park
    "Muddies, Muddies" the twins hollered as we passed the adventure playground. Even this early, it was already full of children climbing rope and running through fountains.
    "Maybe tomorrow, kids. Mummy's got to work today." I answered distractedly. For some reason, a mother and child standing outside the gate to the playground caught my eye. Maybe it was the nurse in me but I immediately recognized that the woman was sick. She was clutching the gate, her skin was pale and sweaty and she seemed to