Remote Rescue by George Ivanoff

Author:George Ivanoff
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia
Published: 2016-08-25T04:00:00+00:00

‘Camping gear.’ Dad’s eyes snapped open again. ‘Didn’t finish packing it up.’

‘Don’t think about that now,’ said Dawson. ‘I’ve rung Mum, but I keep getting her voicemail. I’ve left a couple of messages, so hopefully she’ll ring back on Burt and Gwen’s phone soon.’

‘Okay. But … can’t just leave stuff out in the open,’ insisted Dad. ‘Left car unlocked. Got to … pack away … lock car.’ Dad’s voice was becoming more panicky.

‘Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.’ Dawson nodded and stood up. ‘Keys?’

‘Right … pocket.’

Dad groaned as Dawson fished the keys from his pocket. He closed his eyes as Dawson headed out of the cellar.

Outside, Burt and Gwen were talking in low voices by their Land Rover, while Sam and Em were playing noughts and crosses in the sand. They all turned around as Dawson appeared.

Dawson looked to his older sister. ‘Sam, do you and Em want to keep Dad company while I go and pack up our stuff?’

Sam nodded. Em jumped up.

‘Do you need a hand?’ asked Burt.

Dawson shook his head.

‘You sure?’ he asked again.

‘Yes,’ snapped Dawson, immediately regretting it. ‘I’m sorry,’ he added, lowering his voice. ‘I … I didn’t mean … I just need a bit of time on my own.’

‘Then we’ll stay out here and wait for the ambulance,’ said Gwen, putting a hand on her husband’s shoulder.

‘Thanks.’ Dawson turned away, a little embarrassed, and went off at a brisk walk.

Somehow, Farina seemed a lot more desolate and lonely now as Dawson made his way along the main street. Knowing that Dad was lying injured in one of the buildings, waiting for help to arrive, made everything feel wrong. Dad was the one who should be looking after things, getting him and his sisters out of trouble, fixing everything. Not the other way round.

Entering the campground, Dawson saw that their things were mostly packed up. The tent was in its bag, the chairs and table were folded up and the camping stove was already in the car. He opened up the hatchback and started putting everything inside. The only trouble he had was with the tent, which was quite heavy. He had to drag it over to the car, stand it on its end and lean it up against the opening. Then he lifted it from the bottom and heaved it into the boot.

Dawson took one last look around to make sure he hadn’t forgotten anything. Rummaging in the back seat, he pulled out his wallet. Can’t leave this behind, he thought before stuffing it into his pocket.

Turning to leave, he saw Burt striding up the path.

‘I’ve been thinking,’ said Burt, ‘it’s not a good idea to leave the car behind. Gwen can drive our Land Rover behind the ambulance, and I can take your car. That way everything will be at Leigh Creek.’

‘Thanks,’ said Dawson then hesitated. He felt like he should say more but he was having trouble forming words. He swallowed the lump in his throat. ‘And thanks for everything else, too.

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