Free The Warrior Sheep Down Under by Christopher Russell

it’s not their fault.”
    â€œYou’re getting the hang of this,” said Shelly. “Then they’re going to ask you if you’ve done any white water stuff before.”
    â€œOf course I haven’t,” snapped Alice. “Do I look as if I spend my days romping in rivers?”
    Shelly shook her head. “No. So you’d better fib. They don’t allow first-timers to kayak down Tickler’s Turnpike.” She pointed at the rocky hillside in front of them. “Anyway, the river’s going to take you way down there beyond the bluffs. We’ll meet you on the other side.”
    Alice kept her face very straight when she told the man at the desk that she was experienced in all water sports. And it wasn’t entirely untrue. She had once had to do a term’s canoeing at school. On a still, shallow lake. She donned the wet suit, rubber socks, life vest, and helmet she was given and handed Shelly the clothes she’d taken off.
    â€œBe careful,” she tutted. “You’re creasing my cashmere sweater.”
    Shelly thrust the clothes to Deidre through the truck window, then climbed back into the driving seat. “Good luck!” she called. Then under her breath, “You’re gonna need it!”
    Deidre leaned out. “Don’t worry, Miss Barton. I’ll be ready with the camera.”
    Shelly sat and watched Alice walk away.
    â€œIs it really dangerous?” asked Deidre.
    Shelly nodded. “Yeah. It can be. But I guess she’ll be all right. If she doesn’t fall out.” She drove off. “This chunk of land you say she’s going to inherit. What’s so special about it?”
    Deidre shrugged. “I don’t know. She’s never told me.”
    Shelly drove around the rocky hillside to another stretch of river and switched off Trevor’s engine.
    â€œI suppose she’ll be a while yet?” Deidre said. “I think I’ll stretch my legs.”
    She climbed from the truck, taking a couple of small locked bags with her. Shelly spent a while wiping dust and splattered flies from Trevor’s windscreen. She glanced at her watch, then wandered off to find Deidre. Alice should be coming through soon and Deidre would be in trouble if she missed taking the photo. Shelly came across Deidre sitting behind a tree. One of the bags was open and papers and maps were spread out on the grass. Deidre was using a bobby pin to swiftly and expertly unlock the second bag.

14
Tickler’s Turnpike
    Back up river, a young man in shorts and sweatshirt was holding a kayak ready for Alice. She slid herself into the seat and he helped her to fasten the thick plastic apron over her lap, so that from the waist down she was sealed in. Then he handed her a paddle.
    â€œYou’re sure you’re up for it?” he asked. “The Turnpike’s no picnic.”
    Alice stared straight ahead. “Of course,” she answered coldly.
    The young man shrugged and pushed her off from the bank.
    Alice concentrated hard. She felt the river current quicken.
    â€œI can do this…!” she suddenly shouted in an attempt to boost her confidence. Her voice bounced around the rocky cliffs in front of her.
    And a lamb heard the echo.
    â€¢ • •
    â€œIt’s her!” shouted Wills, excitedly. “The fairy godtingy!”
    He had left the other warriors munching breakfast behind the boathouse and was standing on the concrete slipway in front of it. A man had arrived on a motor scooter to unlock the boathouse and was now busy doing something with the rubber rafts. He saw Wills staring at the river and laughed.
    â€œHiya, fella. What’s so interesting?” Then he saw a kayaker in a black wet suit paddling past downstream. “First one today,” he said. “She’s looking good.”
    Wills called again, “Guys, guys, come here…”
    But the sheep had heard him the first time and were