|
"Laura's Dream" |
| Copyright Francis Blow, 1986. |
| CHAPTER 19 |
| After five weeks of flight training, Laura was allowed to make a landing. It was a little bumpy, though the plane did not actually bounce back into the sky. |
| "You were just a touch too rigid, Laura, but that's normal. Next time you'll be more relaxed and ready for that first touch." |
| "What do I do now?" Laura asked after a relieved sigh. |
| "Taxi to the hanger. You and your boyfriend can help push the Piper out for the next student. Then you assist with the pre-flight." |
| |
| Once Laura had finished her duties, she and Doug went straight home. He was needed that afternoon to work at McDonald's, because someone was on holidays. In another week, school holidays officially started, and he was not going back to school for the following term. With his regular McDonald's work, and the modeling jobs the agency gave him, Doug was reasonably sure of his making the car payments, and having enough to put away. Laura did not try to talk him out of it, because she knew he had committed himself. |
| He drew up in her driveway, and as soon as Laura undid her seat belt, she leaned over and kissed him. "See you tomorrow, Doug." |
| "I love you, Laura. Don't overdo the running. I'd hate to see you laid up again." |
| "No chance. I'm too careful now, if anything. Warm up slowly at the start, warm down slowly at the finish, a hot shower and into dry clothes, with no more falls. Don't you eat too many hamburgers. I like 'em lean and mean!" |
| "Get out of here, tart. I wonder about you sometimes." |
| "And the rest of the time you know. Have fun." She teased. |
| |
| Each morning and afternoon, Laura ran the distance easily and safely. School was winding down, as was Venturers, though Laura was going camping with two of her fellow Venturers the following Monday. Doug had agreed to drop the two girls and the boy off at the start of the walking trail into Munmorah Reserve. |
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| The last self defence class for the term was taken by Beth, who emphasised the importance of being aware of things happening around them. Beth also offered special rates on the karate lessons her karate school held week nights. Laura thought about the offer, but decided she had more important things to do in her evenings. After all, what could happen, really? |
| |
| On Thursday morning, Laura started off with Jem as usual. Her head was filled with plans for the days and weeks ahead. For the first few hundred metres, her speed was barely above a walk, though she increased speed gradually at Jem's prompting. She was running at her normal pace by the time they got to the quiet stretch behind an industrial block. |
| Laura's ears registered the sound of a car behind them, though she did not consciously consider what it was. Jem was too busy talking to notice that they were being followed and that the Toyota was rapidly closing the gap between them. |
| The car was almost on them and Laura heard it clearly. Without looking back or breaking stride, she stepped onto the muddy footpath. |
| Laura did turn her head when she heard metal strike metal next to her. Jem was thrown against Laura and they tumbled in a heap to the soft ground; Jem's mangled bike landed beside them. |
| Suddenly, big men were dragging them to their feet, towards the white car. Training took over where thoughts failed. With both her arms held, Laura stamped her heel onto her captor's instep with all the strength of her runner's leg. He made no sound other than a grunt, but he lost his grip on one of Laura's arms. Her hand shot down between his legs, grabbed and twisted. As he bent over, Laura kicked him in the face, twice. |
| Jem was almost inside the car, and all Laura could see was the man who had her. His head and shoulders were above the roof of the car. An instant later, Laura had the twisted bike frame, and hurled it straight into the man's face. He staggered back, and Jem was running, with Laura half a step behind. |
| Tyres squealed on the damp road, and the car was after them. Too late, the men realised they could not follow the girls where they ran down a narrow alley, and only one of the men was in any condition to run. Not that he could have caught either girl on foot. Beaten, the three fled the area, abandoning the car ten minutes later. |
| |
| Jem knew the back streets well, as did Laura. Within two blocks they came to a main road where they took refuge in a service station. They called their mothers and the police. |
| Sirens shattered the relative quiet, as police cars searched the area. |
| The two mud spattered girls were comforted by their dressing-gown clad mothers, while detectives tried to understand what Laura and Jem were saying. |
| "I didn't have time to get the car number. No, I've never seen any of them before," Laura told the police. "We just ran as fast as we could." |
| Once the police learned as much as the girls could tell them, they allowed the mothers to take them home; a police car followed them all the way, and stayed parked in the street for half an hour. |
| Neither Laura, nor Jem were allowed outside for the rest of that day. The police sent uniformed constables to escort Joey and Jem's sister, Liz, to their homes, in case an attempt was made to abduct them. The radio and TV told everyone that extra police were being brought in to help with the search for the suspects. |
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| There was no more school that term for Laura. Friday and Saturday was spent at Gran's mansion. Carla had driven her and Joey down in the morning after dropping John off at work. There were lots of interesting things for Laura and Joey to do, exploring the mansion and its relatively compact grounds, that led to a boat shed on the Harbour. |
| When Joey discovered the hot tub, there was no keeping him out of it until Laura had to carry him out, yelling and wriggling. |
| "You're as red as a lobster, you little brat! Have a swim in the pool. It's warm." |
| "No! No! I want the bubbles!" |
| "It's too hot for little kids!" Laura started to lose her temper, and whacked him once across the bottom. It was sufficient to quieten him long enough to dry the two of them, so they would not leave puddles, Laura carried Joey to the heated pool, where, with the enthusiastic Laura's assistance, Joey became "Super Brat" the flying boy. |
| Joey liked the new game, until Laura's arms became tired from throwing him. Games like "Sister Dunking" and "Sharks" went on long enough to fade his interest in water, and then it was lunch time. Cricket and football in the afternoon made sure he was exhausted at bed time. |
| On Saturday, there was a long cruise on the Harbour aboard an ocean-going motor yacht, which belonged to one of Gran's friends. After lunch, they headed out to sea through the Heads, powering north over the swells. They reached Terrigal Haven, where Carla met them for the short drive home. Gran returned with the yacht. |
| Sunday was flying, and on Monday, Laura and her two Venturer friends, said good bye to Doug as they trekked into the Munmorah Reserve from the access track. |
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| Their first day of back packing took Laura, Rachael and Mark twelve kilometres into dense bush. While it was still light, they set up two tents, one for the girls and one to hold Mark and the three packs. Rachael was Mark's elder sister, despite which they still managed to tolerate each other. For cooking they shared a tiny, chemical-fueled stove, on which to prepare "Don't Ask" stew; if any one wanted to know what was in it, the reply was "Don't Ask". |
| There was no shortage of conversation, as Laura relived the events of Thursday and Friday. Soon enough, tiredness had them undressed and in their sleeping bags. |
| Mark was the first awake. He started the water boiling, then dressed in Monday's clothes. To keep weight down, each of the Venturers brought one change of clothing. Laura heard him moving about, so she pulled on her shorts while she was still inside her sleeping bag. Reasonably decent, she crawled out of the tent. It was cold in her singlet, so she donned her shirt and jacket. She and Mark were drinking tea when an inhuman moaning came from the girls' tent, and some mumbled words about clothes. |
| "Good morning, Rachael." Laura and Mark chorused. |
| "I hate camping. Who stole my pants?" |
| "Try looking under your sleeping bag," Laura suggested. "You threw the lot in last night." |
| "Oh no! They're wet!" |
| "I'll get your pack," Mark offered. "Wear your clean pair until those dry." |
| While he stuck his head and shoulders into his own tent, Laura poured tea for Rachael. "Here, grumpy-gizzard, and don't spill any inside. I'd like to be on the trail by eight, if you think you can handle it." |
| "I'll be ready. Don't rush me." |
| Mark passed Rachael the pack and she found her spare shorts. As she stood up to dress, Mark saw her knickers and choked on a mouthful of tea. |
| Laura grinned. "Pretty bunnies, Rachael. I wish I had a pair like that. Very sexy. And the big brown eyes on the doggy are really cute." |
| "Leave me alone. I'm still tired." |
| Laura continued making her own breakfast; heated muesli with milk and extra dried fruit. After eating, she went over her face and neck with the special cleanser she had in her toiletries bag, and followed up with moisturiser. Everyone was ready to move by eight. Laura and Mark consulted over map and compass, agreed on their direction, and their day of walking began. |
| There were a few stops to rest along the way, and, at lunch, the three of them shared their sandwiches for variety. Jackets had already been packed away, and as they warmed up, the three of them tied their shirts around their waists; Mark went bare chested, while the girls modestly kept singlets or T-shirts over their sports bras. Without clouds to block the sun, the weather became very muggy in the afternoon, making all of them sticky and uncomfortable. Since there was nowhere close by to swim, the Venturers ignored the discomfort and kept going. Mark studied the map as he went, then called his sister for her opinion. Laura walked on his other side when the trail opened up. |
| "We're making good time," he explained, pointing to the map. "I think if we cut up through here, going a little faster, and camp there tonight, by mid day tomorrow we can be at this river, then follow the bank, or even float down on logs if you're game, close to where we can walk back to where Doug'll be waiting." |
| After a few minutes of discussion, the plan was agreed to, a new course set, and off they went. There was a brief shower just after they set up camp for the night. Fortunately, they were prepared for it with ponchos to keep them dry while they ate. Undressing inside the tents caused the usual jokes and laughter, especially for the girls, who kept bumping into each other. Lying shoulder to shoulder, propped on elbows, they stared at the darkly glistening bush, while talking to Mark in the tent next door. |
| The enforced early retirement made sure they had a long, restful sleep, and even Rachael was almost cheerful at breakfast. Laura donned clean clothes from the skin out, did her face and was still the first one ready. |
| "It might be a hot one today," Rachael supposed. "I hope we get a chance for a swim." |
| "We will if we hurry." Mark hinted to her. |
| The trail they used was clearer than they expected, so they made good time and reached the river before lunch. The last of the sandwiches were eaten, and the three of them separated, to change into the previous day's underwear. |
| Naturally, Mark was ready first, and he found the perfect place for a mud slide on the slippery clay bank. From his pack he fetched a rope, so they could climb back out of the river. When the girls joined him, Rachael made no comment about the green turtles on his jockey shorts, though she did roll her eyes for Laura's benefit. Laura almost felt left out, with her plain white pants and singlet. |
| "Who's going to be first?" Mark asked. |
| The girls exchanged impish smiles, and rushed him. As it turned out, Mark was stronger than he looked, and all three of them tumbled into the icy water in a tangle of limbs. Half an hour of sliding and wrestling was all they could take, so they rinsed the mud off as best they could. When Mark went off to change, Laura hung up her wet things, dried herself on her soiled shirt, and dressed warmly. Rachael went to collect Mark's wet clothes which she put with her own in a waterproof bag. Just before they were ready to leave, Laura stuffed her damp things in her own laundry bag. Five hours later, they made their last camp. |
| The following day, at lunch time, they emerged from the bush exactly where they planned, and two hours early for their pick up by Doug. There was plenty of time for a welcome rest, until the big landrover appeared. Doug had a foam mattress in the back to protect surf boards, so the three Venturers sat there all the way home. They were glad they had been on the hike, but just as glad to be on their way home. |
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| "Where are you going, young lady?" Carla asked, when Laura made to go up stairs. |
| "I desperately need a nice hot shower. Why?" |
| "Those... Clothes, or whatever they once were, are going no further than the laundry. Doug, this might be a good time to check your tyres or something." |
| "Spoil sport." He grimaced and went outside. |
| "That shirt and pants look like they were lived in by a troop of monkeys. And the jacket!" Carla shook her head as each item was laid to rest in the washing machine. "Stop scratching, and go. How did I ever get a daughter... Don't touch the walls!" |
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| Clean, warm and properly moisturised, Laura wrapped herself in a dressing gown and sat on her bed to wait for Doug to be allowed in. The bed was so soft after the thin sleeping pads, that Laura lay back against her pillow. |
| Carla and Doug found her like that, ten minutes later, so Doug went home. Laura did not wake up, even when Carla took her out of the dressing gown, and rolled her under the covers. |
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| The rest of the school holidays went quietly. The Shell family mostly stayed at home. Gran came to visit one day, and they had a picnic outing. Otherwise, everything was normal, even the reluctance to return to school. |
