surface. In the center of the hut the two main
posts were almost vertical. Both held up the cross beams which
supported the rusting sheets of corrugated iron which covered the
roof cavity. The metal sheets were taken off several times over the
decades so the rafters could be renewed and the original tin put
back. Compacted dirt made up the floor. A horizontal crack ran
through the middle of the only window. Dirt smothered the surface
making the glass semi transparent.
Wade saw Anneli’s expression of jubilation
slowly vanish. “A little elbow grease and lots of money will see
the hut fit to live in. I believe it could be a great place to get
away from everything.”
Anneli gave a nervous laugh.
“Come on, time marches fast. It stops for
nothing. If you want to see the first rays of the sunrise we’ll
have to climb onto the plateau,” coaxed Wade. Taking hold of
Anneli’s hand they walked towards the door.
Wade swiped a cast iron plate the size of a
concrete stepping stone from a closed draw under the only bench. He
walked over to the motorbike and took out the small plastic
container from a bag which he tied to the side of the bike back at
the wharf. He led Anneli around to the back of the miner’s hut and
helped her climb the twenty seven steps to wonderland.
Wade helped Anneli to hurdle a low rock wall
before walking about gathering twigs. He quickly constructed a
pyramid style fire between four bricks and struck a match.
The fire started easily. He placed the cast
iron plate on top of the four bricks; two at each end of the plate.
Using cooking oil from a small bottle he stowed in the plastic
container, four pieces of chicken were soon sizzling. Wade poured a
small amount of marinate over the chicken. The aroma wafting into
the air made them feel hungry.
“All we need is the champagne,” taunted
Anneli.
Her short giggles were contagious. Wade was
still chuckling when he pulled a small bottle from his pocket.
Two-shot glasses were in the other pocket.
“You’ve thought of everything,” quizzed
Anneli, settling onto the green grass.
“I hope so. The only thing missing is a
perfect sunrise,” whispered Wade squatting.
“We don’t have to wait long. The horizon has
started to lighten.”
Wade stood staring at the sky. The red
billowing clouds looked to be on fire. The birds chirping
frantically in the nearby trees suddenly took flight, vanishing
over the other side of the mountain.
“What’s the worried look for?”
“Have you ever heard of the old saying; red
sky in the morning sailor’s warning?”
“No I never have,” confessed Anneli.
Wade again studied the clouds. “The red sky
can’t be any angrier. The fact the birds have flown away means
there’s a storm building.”
“Any idea how many hours will fly by before
the storm hits?”
“If I were to make a guess, I’d say three or
four hours.” Wade gave a half hearted shrug of a shoulder before
sitting. Using a magical swipe of his hand two paper napkins and
two forks appeared. Acting all professional he served up the
chicken.
“This is my best Christmas day ever,”
announced Anneli.
“Merry Christmas,” said Wade. He lifted his
small glass full to the brim of champagne to eye level. Anneli
mirrored his move, letting a giggle seep between her lips when the
glasses clinked together.
“Merry Christmas,” replied Anneli.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Three hours and twenty five minutes before
cyclone Tracy hits landfall.
OVER THE next ninety minutes Anneli and Wade
grew accustomed to each other, cementing the fact they were meant
to be together. They laughed, talked and stared at the sky to view
the approaching storm. Their conversation changed to serious when
their love for each other not only mushroomed, it grew rapidly.
They explored each other’s histories in detail. They easily
eradicated any potential problem. Discovering Anneli just graduated
from her law studies took Wade completely by
posts were almost vertical. Both held up the cross beams which
supported the rusting sheets of corrugated iron which covered the
roof cavity. The metal sheets were taken off several times over the
decades so the rafters could be renewed and the original tin put
back. Compacted dirt made up the floor. A horizontal crack ran
through the middle of the only window. Dirt smothered the surface
making the glass semi transparent.
Wade saw Anneli’s expression of jubilation
slowly vanish. “A little elbow grease and lots of money will see
the hut fit to live in. I believe it could be a great place to get
away from everything.”
Anneli gave a nervous laugh.
“Come on, time marches fast. It stops for
nothing. If you want to see the first rays of the sunrise we’ll
have to climb onto the plateau,” coaxed Wade. Taking hold of
Anneli’s hand they walked towards the door.
Wade swiped a cast iron plate the size of a
concrete stepping stone from a closed draw under the only bench. He
walked over to the motorbike and took out the small plastic
container from a bag which he tied to the side of the bike back at
the wharf. He led Anneli around to the back of the miner’s hut and
helped her climb the twenty seven steps to wonderland.
Wade helped Anneli to hurdle a low rock wall
before walking about gathering twigs. He quickly constructed a
pyramid style fire between four bricks and struck a match.
The fire started easily. He placed the cast
iron plate on top of the four bricks; two at each end of the plate.
Using cooking oil from a small bottle he stowed in the plastic
container, four pieces of chicken were soon sizzling. Wade poured a
small amount of marinate over the chicken. The aroma wafting into
the air made them feel hungry.
“All we need is the champagne,” taunted
Anneli.
Her short giggles were contagious. Wade was
still chuckling when he pulled a small bottle from his pocket.
Two-shot glasses were in the other pocket.
“You’ve thought of everything,” quizzed
Anneli, settling onto the green grass.
“I hope so. The only thing missing is a
perfect sunrise,” whispered Wade squatting.
“We don’t have to wait long. The horizon has
started to lighten.”
Wade stood staring at the sky. The red
billowing clouds looked to be on fire. The birds chirping
frantically in the nearby trees suddenly took flight, vanishing
over the other side of the mountain.
“What’s the worried look for?”
“Have you ever heard of the old saying; red
sky in the morning sailor’s warning?”
“No I never have,” confessed Anneli.
Wade again studied the clouds. “The red sky
can’t be any angrier. The fact the birds have flown away means
there’s a storm building.”
“Any idea how many hours will fly by before
the storm hits?”
“If I were to make a guess, I’d say three or
four hours.” Wade gave a half hearted shrug of a shoulder before
sitting. Using a magical swipe of his hand two paper napkins and
two forks appeared. Acting all professional he served up the
chicken.
“This is my best Christmas day ever,”
announced Anneli.
“Merry Christmas,” said Wade. He lifted his
small glass full to the brim of champagne to eye level. Anneli
mirrored his move, letting a giggle seep between her lips when the
glasses clinked together.
“Merry Christmas,” replied Anneli.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Three hours and twenty five minutes before
cyclone Tracy hits landfall.
OVER THE next ninety minutes Anneli and Wade
grew accustomed to each other, cementing the fact they were meant
to be together. They laughed, talked and stared at the sky to view
the approaching storm. Their conversation changed to serious when
their love for each other not only mushroomed, it grew rapidly.
They explored each other’s histories in detail. They easily
eradicated any potential problem. Discovering Anneli just graduated
from her law studies took Wade completely by
Similar Books
