The Cartographer's Secret by Tea Cooper

Author:Tea Cooper
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HQ Fiction
Published: 2020-09-24T00:00:00+00:00

Nineteen

Lettie bowled past the neatly tended workers’ cottages of Branxton and Greta then clambered the steep hill out of Singleton marvelling at the view of the plains below.

She’d covered a good fifty miles before she reached Muswellbrook and turned at the spot Bertha had pointed out on the map, crossing a solidly constructed timber bridge where the wide, well-used track snaked its way between dark-soiled paddocks encompassed by thinly treed hills. Finding a farm gate she pulled off the road. ‘Time for some food, Oxley.’

They made short work of the packet of sandwiches Olivia had supplied and finished the flask of water, still cool secured in its neatly wrapped tea towel. ‘That’s your lot, Oxley. We’ve got a way to go yet, back in the car. We’re saving the rest for later.’

With a sigh, he settled himself on the passenger seat and they set off once more. Ahead of her the ribbon of road wound into the distance and with a whoop of excitement she opened the throttle. Oxley pricked up his ears and sat tall, searching for any sign of movement among the encroaching trees.

The speed carried her up an unexpected incline with barely a pause and as she crested the hill shafts of light from the sinking sun glittered, sending rainbow prisms dancing in front of her eyes. Grasping the wheel tightly she held Lizzie steady and raced towards a dip in the road.

The sound of running water broke through the call of the bell-birds and she swung her head left where a small but gloriously pretty waterfall splashed over mossy boulders before disappearing beneath a timber culvert.

A wave of water hit the windscreen.

She slammed her feet onto the brake and reverse pedals.

Oxley let out a strangled bark and leapt out.

She turned her head. ‘Oxley!’

The back of the car skewed.

With a screech the wheels locked and skidded.

As if in a dream Lettie sat rigid anticipating the crunch, her hands gripping the useless steering wheel.

With a screech and a shudder Lizzie ground to a halt, groaned and settled.

Not a sound broke the stillness. Heart thundering ten to the dozen Lettie cut the engine. ‘Imbecile! Stupid, stupid imbecile!’ Front wheels firmly hooked between two boulders, water seeping onto the front floor.

Easing from behind the wheel she clambered onto the seat. The car wavered, then settled again. In a single bound she sprang out and landed beyond the boulders, knee-deep in the cold water, shivering in the shade thrown by a stand of ancient casuarinas.

Oxley paddled out towards her. ‘Out!’ She pointed beyond the tree line. The impossible dog took no notice and waded towards her. His tail held high above the water, a wavering distress flag. ‘Go back, Oxley!’

Inch by inch he made his way towards her until his wet nose buffeted the palm of her hand. ‘The map! I’ve forgotten Evie’s map.’ She scrambled back onto the running board, reached into the car and pulled the cylindrical package from the seat then dragged herself upright.

Lizzie lurched again and settled deeper into the spilling water.

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