Forest Shadows by David Laing

Author:David Laing
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Fiction - Young Adult
ISBN: 9780987497062
Publisher: JoJo Publishing
Published: 2013-05-27T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty

* * *

Hector Grimshaw turned in his seat and refilled his glass from the bottle behind him. ‘We need some answers, Quigley,’ he said turning back to face him. He took a drink after which he placed the glass on the table. ‘If you don’t trust us with your precious map then what do you trust us with?’

Quigley told them. ‘It’s what I require of you that matters – if you want to share in the treasure that is. For one thing we’d need to use your boat – to travel from Macquarie Harbour at Strahan to Long Bay, and then to a forest area, which lies adja-cent to the coast. In the forest is a track that is clearly marked on my map, a track that will lead us to the treasure.’ He patted his pocket and at the same time gave Hector a sideways glance. ‘And as I have said, the map shall stay with me until I have decided otherwise.’

‘Mmmm. We’ll see about that.’ Evelyn said and then changing the subject, pointed out, ‘The boat hasn’t been in the water for over nine months. It’ll need checking over.’

‘There’s no time like the present,’ Quigley was quick to say.

‘We’ll get around to it, in our own good time,’ Evelyn replied. ‘But never mind that, look at you. You’re not exactly dressed for the bush, are you?’

‘Dressed for a funeral, more likely,’ Hector said, adding, ‘It’ll be his own if he doesn’t deliver.’

‘And where would I get these clothes?’ Quigley asked, ignoring Hector. ‘As far as I know, there isn’t a clothing shop in Timber Creek and besides, it’s Saturday today. All the shops would be closed tomorrow.’

‘There’s an Opportunity Shop I know along the way that opens on weekends.’ Seeing the look of confusion on Quigley’s face, she added, ‘It’s a charity shop that opens on Sundays. They stock second-hand clothes.’

Trying not to splutter at the humiliation of patronising such a place, he managed to say, ’Do I take it that we’ve all agreed to participate in the venture?’

‘It still sounds a bit fanciful to me, Quigley, but I suppose it wouldn’t hurt,’ Evelyn said, purposely omitting the Mr in his name.

Hector, emitting a sort of arghhh sound, stood and walked from the room. Quigley smiled. ‘Good. We all agree. That being the case, in addition to using your boat, I’ll need your help in other ways.’

Evelyn raised her eyebrows. ‘What are you talking about? Other ways?’

‘For a start, get out your credit card and book us all into a Strahan motel for tomorrow night. Then later, make sure the car and the boat are fuelled.’

‘Anything else?’ she said, not bothering to hide the sarcasm in her voice.

‘Yes. From my considerable experience, it’s likely that some unforeseen incidents may arise. It will be both your and Hector’s job to deal with them.’

‘Unforeseen incidents? Whatcha mean?’ Hector snarled, walking back into the kitchen. ‘Why can’t you talk proper?’

‘You never know what may lie over the horizon, Hector. After all, life can be a mystery.

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