Kate opened her eyes wondering what had woken her. The room was still dark, and reaching for her mobile she discovered her alarm had not gone off yet. She lay there going over her discussion with Marge as they had climbed the stairs, about a four o’clock call, so that they could leave for the station at five. It was only three-thirty.
Then she heard the thump of a car door, a man’s voice and another thump. She eased herself out of the bed and went across to the window. It looked still and lifeless with only the barest of light creeping around the corner of the house. It was too early for sunrise, until she remembered her window was facing west. Then two brilliant beams of light shot out across the dirt forecourt, getting longer and narrower until a dark shape appeared behind them. Kate was not sure, but she guessed it was Jeff’s Land Rover. It turned left. The beams disappeared behind the shape, with only a glow outlining it until it turned right at the conjunction of the circle and the long beams lit the track as it headed towards the station.
As Kate started to return to her bed she caught the smell of cooking. She opened the door. Marge was up, probably pottering in the kitchen after making breakfast for Jeff and Sean. There was no point in going back to bed now, not when Marge would soon be knocking on her door. Kate tiptoed across the landing to the bathroom, switched on the light, had a quick wash down and dried herself.
Back in her room she switched on the light, put on the clothes she’d worn the night before, packed her holdall and saw to her make-up. She checked herself once more in the mirror and nodded. One last check of the room to see that she was leaving it tidy and she switched off the light and made her way across the landing and down the stairs towards the lounge.
There were two table lamps on in the lounge, which cast a glow across the shiny wooden floor all the way to the foot of the staircase. Going only on the pervading smell and her recollection of Marge and Jeff’s movements with the food last night, Kate headed into the dining room and turned right towards a lighted doorway, and as Kate walked into the huge kitchen Marge looked up from a table she was sitting alongside, finishing her breakfast.
She glanced at the clock on the wall opposite.
“You’re up early, Kate. I was going to let you sleep on till four.”
“I woke early for some reason, so I decided to get up.”
“Probably those two oafs banging about…I told them to be quiet with your room right above the garage area, but it’s like dealing with children sometimes. Anyway, don’t stand there holding your bag. Drop it over there and sit down.”
Kate did what she asked and sat down opposite. Marge was just finishing what looked like a hearty breakfast. She had a drink from the mug she was holding and, looking Kate in the eye, asked her if she was ready for her breakfast.
It was almost four o’clock in the morning; the thought of eating anything at that time made her shudder. Then she noticed the white plate at the end of the table opposite the huge black stove. On the plate was a sausage, two slices of bacon, a chopped tomato and alongside the edge of the plate was a brown egg.
Kate looked at Marge with a frown. “You don’t expect me to eat all that, do you? Not at this time in the morning?”
“We always start the day with a good breakfast inside us. You can’t run a cattle station on an empty stomach. You never know when your next meal will be.”
“I don’t have to run a cattle station, Marge.”
“No…but you are going on a long flight.”
Kate held off her reply for a moment, contemplating whether or not the plane would furnish refreshments during the flight. “Instead, would you possibly be able to make up some of those beef sandwiches you mentioned earlier, please?”
Marge looked disappointed for the moment, and then she smiled and returned the plate to the large old-fashioned icebox standing in the opposite corner of the room. “Very well,” she said returning to the table. “I’ll make you an assortment. You might get sick of just beef.”
Before she started, she made Kate a mug of tea as she toasted some of her homemade bread by the open stove and left Kate a dish of butter and a pot of blackberry jam. Kate hesitated, asking her where the blackberries had come from.
“As you may have noticed from your window, I have a small garden of sorts,” Marge answered as she got on with the sandwiches. Passing Kate two pieces of toast, she continued, “Anyway, amongst the essentials I treated myself to a blackberry bush; I had it sent down on the mail run. It took a year to mature, but eventually I got enough berries off it to make some jam. Now get on with your breakfast, we’ll have to leave soon.”
“One last question,” Kate said, “How do you heat the water?”
Marge smiled and pointed to the large black stove she cooked on.
After breakfast, Kate sat in one of the rattan chairs on the veranda waiting for Marge to bring her car around from the garage. It was surprisingly warm for five o’clock; not hot of course, but not chilly either. In Broome, close to the open sea, there would always be an early morning fret that left the garden lathered with a layer of dew. It soon disappeared when the sun climbed above the distant hills; by which time Kate would be just starting her day after Martin’s early start.
Once again a pair of beams turned in front of the house. Marge got out of her earlier model Land Rover and climbed the steps for Kate’s bag. She threw it on the back seat assuming Kate was going to sit beside her in the front. She did, and with only a reminder for Kate to put her seat belt on, she set off along the circular track back towards the main route to the station.
Kate could see lights in the distance. The station had already been awake for over an hour. She turned to Marge, her blank expression highlighted by the coloured dashboard lights, wanting to chat.
“It must be a long day for you, Marge,” she said.
“Oh, it’s not that bad once you get used to it. Yes…I have to get up early, but by six-thirty…seven, the day’s mainly my own… Except today. Apart from seeing you off, it’s accounts day. I go round all the different sections of the station and sort out their expenses and mark it all up in the ledger.”
“I wouldn’t have thought that was necessary out here.”
Marge laughed. “Oh dear, I wish. Not only do I have to balance how much of our collaborative supplies each outlet is using; there’s the tax man to satisfy.”
“The tax man?” Kate exclaimed.
“Oh yes… It might only be once a year, but we still have to justify what profit or loss we make on the end-of-season cattle sales.”
Kate shook her head in amazement, “Isn’t that just the thing? I never thought you would be bothered with all the paraphernalia of the outside world. But I suppose civilisation does have a long reach.”
By the time Marge pulled up in front of Jeff’s office, Kate could see the sunrise lighting up the stockyards further on towards the east. They looked gaunt and spidery against the orange glow and the silhouettes of the stockmen, leading out the horses ready for another day, were like marionettes on a rustic stage.
Kate expected Marge to stop outside the school for her last-minute talk with Miss Gerry, and just as she was about to turn and say something, she saw the old teacher walk out of Jeff’s office. She was standing on the boardwalk when Marge pulled alongside and switched off the engine, and she waved to Kate.
“I got up early this morning so that I wouldn’t miss you,” she said, as Kate walked round to the boardwalk. “Are you all ready to go?”
Kate gave her a kiss on the cheek and when Marge joined them, they all walked into Jeff’s office. Chris was sitting by the desk with his medical bag in-between his feet, with a look of apprehension on his face.
“Everything’s ready, Kate,” he said. “Martin’s had his meds so don’t be surprised if he seems a little drowsy.” He checked his watch and glanced in Marge’s direction. “I checked with the pilot and we have a window of forty-five minutes if you want to sort out your radio details.”
Kate was amazed once again. “You were right. Everyone, even Chris, seems to know my business. “How did you find out about the radio?”
He hesitated while he ran through last night’s activities. “I don’t know really. It seemed to be general knowledge. I spent some time with the doctor, the pilots, of course, and oh yes, a funny Irishman popped his head in when we were playing snooker. He wanted to talk to the doctor.”
“There’s your link, Kate,” Marge said nodding her head. “And don’t ask me how he found out…it would take too long.”
Knowing she was going to spend the next three hours with Martin, Kate turned her attention to the important matters of Willy and what to do with the radio communication. She sat down in a chair next to a small table in the corner where the radio equipment was. Marge sat in front ready to explain, while Miss Gerry stood alongside. Chris left the room, presumably to see to Martin.
“If I can start first,” Kate interrupted Marge, who was eager to get started. “I just wanted to ask Miss Gerry if Willy was serious about improving himself.”
“He talks about nothing else, Kate. That’s why he got himself into so much trouble with his clan.”
“Didn’t you say Jeff sorted that out?” Kate replied.
Miss Gerry glanced at Marge for confirmation. “Yes, it’s all sorted.”
“Good…so I can go ahead with my enquiries?”
“Well, yes, I suppose so,” Miss Gerry said, nodding her head.
“I think there’s going to be a lot of consultation before anything’s settled, so let’s sort out this radio procedure as we haven’t got much time,” Marge said.
Kate nodded, eager to learn another skill, although by all accounts she wouldn’t actually be doing the communicating.
“Remember I said Martin’s radio man will be handling the radio – that’s if I can persuade them to let me use it.”
“Of course, I remember you telling me,” Marge answered. “That makes it much simpler. All you really want to know is our call sign and what frequency we use…they’re funny about that. Then as soon as you get the okay, get the radio operator to call us and leave his call sign and frequency.”
“Is that all?” Kate asked, surprised it was so simple.
“Yes…except it does take some experience to get the transmission right. But that will be your operator’s problem. I’m sure they’re more proficient that me.”
A smile crossed Miss Gerry’s face and she jumped in to say her piece.
“That sounds great. As soon as we make contact we can keep in touch and pass information to and fro until we can reach a final solution about Willy’s welfare.”
Marge jotted down the information on her pad, pulled off the top sheet and handed it to Kate. She dropped it into her bag straightaway.
Just as they shook hands and hugged each other, Chris popped his head around the door. “Have you settled your business? The doctor’s ready with Martin.”
Kate stood up and made her way outside. The tears began to flow when she saw the nurse, Mini, waiting by the car. Kate embraced her and didn’t want to let her go. But she had to, just as she had to say goodbye to all those who’d helped her and Martin. By now there was a crowd gathering on the boardwalk as Chris and the doctor helped Martin into Marge’s car. Chris went in first, then Martin and finally Dr Fitzpatrick. Kate returned to the passenger seat with her window open so that she could hold Miss Gerry’s hand one last time. Marge switched the engine on and slowly made her way past the waving hands of the stockmen sitting on the railings and on to the waiting plane at the end of the runway.
“Where have you been, Kate?” Martin said, in his drowsy state.
She turned in her seat and reached over to him, “Sorry sweetheart. I had to speak to Miss Gerry the teacher before we left.”
“Teacher?” Martin said, puzzled.
“Don’t concern yourself, Martin. I’ll tell you all about it on the plane.”
“What plane? Not one of those Cessnas, I hope?”
Kate gritted her teeth and turned back towards the open area where the plane stood. She just had to mention that word. It had just slipped out without her realising. It soon became silent again as Martin slipped back into his dreams. She crossed her fingers and hoped he would stay that way.
Apparently the pilot of the Piper Navajo must have conceded to Marge’s request to drive her car right up to the side of the plane so that Martin only had to walk a short distance. It was just as well. A large crowd had gathered on the edge of the runway and only parted to let Marge get through before quickly closing the gap again.
One of the pilots stood by the door ready to assist Chris and the doctor when they guided Martin towards the steps. Then just as Martin’s foot was placed onto the first step, Willy broke through the crowd and ran to his side with a big smile on his face and all three helped Martin into the plane.
“There you are, mate,” he said, taking hold of his good arm.
“Is that you, Willy?” Martin said. “I’ve been looking for you.”
Willy turned to leave. It was his first time inside a plane and he felt shut in. As he stepped down from the steps, Kate caught his shoulder as he passed. “Thank you so much, Willy, for saving Martin’s life. He won’t forget his promise to you.”
A smiling Willy put his hat on his head and stepped back as Marge stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Kate. They were both crying by now and Kate could hardly speak. Even Marge was tongue-tied for once.
“Oh Marge, I don’t know how to thank you and Jeff,” Kate blurted out. “Or everyone on the station come to that.”
Marge wiped her eyes and laughed to break the tension. “Come on now; you don’t want Martin to see you like this.”
Kate dried her eyes and tried to smile. “I mean it, Marge. You’re all wonderful people…I’m going to miss you.”
“We’ll be talking before you know it on the radio. Now come on…you’re holding up the plane. Have a good flight…and good luck,” Marge said, as she led Kate towards the open door. For an outback woman who had braved many tense situations, this event was too much for her and she returned to her car.
Willy was still standing by the steps and she took hold of his hand and gave it a tight squeeze. “You better get a move on, Missus,” he said, with a grin.
She climbed the steps into the plane. Chris and the doctor were preparing to give Martin another injection. She moved in close. “What’s this one for?” she asked.
Dr Fitzpatrick looked up. “His mild tranquiliser is wearing off now, so I’m giving him the sedative I told you about. That should keep him calm until you reach the hospital. He swabbed his arm and inserted the needle. It was only a slight prick; Kate felt it more than he did. The doctor returned the syringe to his bag and closing it, he stood up to say goodbye to Kate and Chris.
He took hold of her hand and held it for a moment. “I hope everything goes well for Martin in the hospital. He’ll be in the right place.”
“Thank you, Dr Fitzpatrick,” Kate said, “Despite what you said, I think you did a marvellous job. I don’t think Martin would have survived otherwise.”
He let go of Kate’s hand and glanced back to Chris sitting in the seat beside the bed they had prepared. “He’s in your good hands now, young man,” he said, and made his way past the pilot at the door and down the steps.
The pilot closed the door and returned to the cockpit. Kate moved over to a window seat so that she could wave to everyone when the plane left. The crowd moved back from the edge of the runway as the engines started up. A cloud of dust rose into the air, but Kate could still see them. By now the crowd was largely made up of Aborigines waving as passionately as they could. Their excitement was probably focused on the plane rather than Kate and Martin leaving, but that did not matter – it was still a magnificent send-off.
Marge, the doctor and Miss Gerry were in the Land Rover by now. Kate could not see them, but she knew they were, as it kept pace with the plane just as Jeff had done that morning when it landed. This time Kate was more occupied with the car trying to keep up to the plane than her fear of take-offs. She waved frantically, not knowing if they could see her, as it pulled to a stop at the end of the runway and rapidly dropped away as the plane climbed into the air.
Kate sat back in the seat with a satisfied smile on her face. She’d had no idea how she was going to say goodbye to all those wonderful people, but she had done it. It was a more fulfilling end to her stay at the Galene Cattle Station than she could have hoped for. She chuckled to herself. In all that excitement she had not realised that everything had taken place in a subdued orange light. She had been so conscious of the sunrise and sunset to get her bearings but this morning it had passed her by until now.
Kate sat and watched the sunlight follow the windows all the way around to just behind her as the plane banked steadily towards the north-west.
Kate undid her safety belt and checked her watch. The pilot was on schedule; he’d said he wanted to leave by six o’clock and it was five past. She moved across the aisle and sat in the seat opposite Chris, alongside the bed set up for Martin. Chris smiled a confident smile; everything had gone to plan and he was satisfied.
“That was your first airborne pick-up,” Kate said. “You did well.”
“Thank you, although I have to acknowledge Dr Fitzpatrick’s role.”
“Nonetheless, you were the coordinator.”
“Let’s hope the landing and ambulance pick-up goes as well.”
“I’ve been so busy I didn’t think of another ride in an ambulance,” Kate said.
“I must admit I was a little concerned, so I radioed Philip yesterday and he said he would organise that when the pilot gave him his ETA.”
A frown crossed Kate’s face. “Oh dear,” she uttered. “You’ve just reminded me that landing in Broome is not the end of our journey. It’s just the start for Martin, and we only have a week until Christmas.”
“Is it that close?” he said.