Free The Crocodile Nest by Des Hunt Page A

He’d said it so many times that he felt that the word would stay there, repeating itself forever. If he’d just killed the possum with his first shot, then everything would’ve been all right. Instead…
    Only Lora looked relaxed about the whole thing. She lay on the sofa snuggled beneath a blanket. The lump near her temple where she’d hit the deck of the ute was starting to go down. She’d been unconscious for almost a minute while everyonethought she was dead. She had no memory of the event, other than being thrown against the tailboard.
    ‘Cheer up everyone,’ she said. ‘I’m not dead!’
    ‘You could’ve been,’ cried Beth.
    ‘Well I’m not, am I?’
    ‘How’s that bump?’ asked Alice.
    ‘It hurts a bit still,’ replied Lora, touching the lump with her hand. ‘It feels the size of an egg.’
    ‘Are you ready for a piece of pizza?’ asked Kev.
    ‘Yes, please!’
    Kev went out to the kitchen.
    ‘Bring out several plates, Kev,’ called Alice. ‘I think we all need to eat.’
    Soon they were munching on the leftovers from dinner; even Beth accepted a small slice.
    Lora finished her piece first. As she reached for another, she said, ‘Gran, when are you going to tell them about what we decided last night?’
    Beth finished her mouthful. ‘I don’t think this is the best time, Lora. I’m not sure that I want to do it anymore. Not after what’s happened.’
    ‘Aw, Gran! We have to. All that’s happened is I’ve bumped my head. That shouldn’t stop us.’
    All eyes turned to Beth. ‘All right, I’ll tell them.’ Her face brightened a little. ‘We’re off to Australia next school holidays.’
    ‘Which part?’ asked Kev.
    ‘Tropical Queensland. Cairns, and up to a place called Cape Tribulation.’
    Luke sat very still. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Alice giving him a questioning look.
    ‘What’s the interest up there?’ asked Kev.
    ‘I want to look at some of their tourist things,’ replied Beth. ‘See what they’ve got and how they do it.’
    ‘And…’ prompted Lora.
    Beth looked at Luke. ‘We thought you might like to come as well.’ Then she quickly added, ‘That’s if Alice doesn’t mind.’
    Now Alice was the centre of attention. She looked as startled as the possums caught in the spotlight earlier in the night.
    She recovered enough to demand, ‘Why do you want to do this?’
    Beth’s shoulders slumped at the reaction. ‘I thought Luke might like to visit his father,’ she said softly.
    ‘Maybe I don’t want Luke to visit him,’ said Alice, angrily. ‘That man gave up all rights to his son the day he walked out on me. I don’t see or hear from him in over twelve years, and now he’s interfering with my life again. Well, I’m not going to let him.’
    A tense silence followed. Kev was the one who finally broke it. ‘I gather you’ve located Hamish, Luke?’
    Luke nodded, pleased to take the attention away from Alice. ‘Yeah, at this place called Cape Tribulation. He’s a chef up there.’ He then went on to tell the whole story. As he spoke, he kept an eye on his mother, hoping she was calming down. It was hard to tell. She was sitting perfectly still, with her head resting in her hands.
    When he’d finished, Beth spoke again. ‘I thought Hamishmight be a good contact to find out about tourist ventures. It’s likely he knows lots of the people up there.’
    Alice lifted her head. ‘So, really you’re offering to take Luke because it suits what you want to do?’
    Beth shook her head sadly. ‘It’s not like that at all. I like Luke, and I know that he wants to meet his father.’
    Alice turned to Luke. ‘Do you?’ It was an accusation.
    ‘Yes, Mum. I really do want to meet him.’
    Silence returned. This time everyone waited for Alice’s decision. Eventually, she said, ‘All right. But there are conditions.’
    Beth and Luke nodded. Lora gave a little smile.
    ‘I don’t want you to keep on giving him things. He has to earn them.