Alex was driving along the Gungellan road, it was pouring with rain, and almost midnight. He couldn't sleep and decided to take a drive—but now he was regretting it. He wished he'd never left his bed. It was the first rain storm they'd had in months- and he had to pick that night to go out driving. He'd had a few drinks that night and probably shouldn't have been driving at all. He was coming up to the bridge that crossed the lake- still a good hour drive till he was home. He was about to speed up- but that's when he saw her- standing on the side of the road, looking out at the lake. He couldn't even see her face. But he saw something inside her, calling him to stop the car and get out. He slowly walked towards her.
"Um...excuse me..are you alright?" He asked.
She didn't turn, didn't even move, he moved next to her. After what seemed like hours she turned to look at him, still not saying a word. She looked so familiar but he couldn't see her face properly, it was raining so hard now. She was quite young, about his age he guessed, with dark hair, and dark eyes. All he could do was stare at her. Who was she? What was she doing here in the middle of nowhere? In the middle of the night? In the middle of a rainstorm? What had happened to her? It hadn't really occurred to him that she would jump off the bridge, but in an instant she was gone.
It was dark, it was raining. He didn't think, it just happened. He jumped after her. It wasn't a steep fall, but the water was deep, and cold. How he ever found her was a miracle. He dived under, and pulled her up on to the river bank. The rain stopped.
She lay on the shore- still not saying a word. The life had been drained out of her. She cried and cried in his arms. He didn't know what to do, what to say, but it didn't seem to matter anyway. What on earth was he going to do with her? He decided to take her home. He didn't stop to think that it may be inappropriate. She fell asleep in the car and picked her up and carried her to guest room at the back of the Killarney, where no one would disturb them. As he turned the light out he looked one last time at his face and it hit him. Why hadn't he recognised her earlier? Amy. Could it really be Amy?
He raced to the phone to call Claire. The phone rang and rang- there was no answer- so he dialled again. Finally Tess answered "What!"
"Tess, it's Alex." He stated. As if that in itself was explanation as to why Tess had to get out of bed at 3am to answer the phone.
"Alex, it's 3am!" she replied. A silence followed. Alex seemed to be waiting for Tess to say something. Tess continued "Did you want something Alex?"
"Claire, I want Claire, I mean I gotta speak to Claire"
"Well, She's not here—if you recall you dropped her at the station yesterday for the seminar in Adelaide..."
"Oh, yeah.."he mumbled.
"Alex, is everything alright?"
"Yeah, night Tess" He hung up.
Tess shrugged and went back to bed, deciding Alex must have had a little too much to drink. Alex put the phone back down and looked over to Amy one last time, hardly believing his eyes, then he fell asleep in the arm chair by the bed, deciding to leave it till the morning when he could think clearly about what to do.
Claire looked around- the door was locked, the window was locked. She had no way of escape—not that she would leave without the tape she had come searching for. Everyone thought she was in Adelaide, but she was much closer to home than they realised. She had just planned to sneak in, find the tape, and leave. She obviously hadn't expected Brad to catch her, she thought he was still overseas. She never expected to see him again. But he had caught her, and locked her in a room. Frantically she searched the room she had been locked into- though she doubted Brad would have locked her in the same room as the tape. She forced open the drawer to the desk—found paperclips, pens, a stapler...but no tape. Now what? It was so irritatingly quiet. Claire was not used to silence since Tess had arrived on Drovers run. Even though they'd had their differences from the start- they had grown closer, and as much as Claire hated to admit it- she had grown fond of Tess- and couldn't imagine life at Drovers run without her. After all, Tess had turned out alright considering she grew up in the city with Ruth as a mother. True , Tess had a lot to learn about the farm and life in the country, but she knew about other things- Things Claire had no idea about---she knew how to relate to people, she really cared for them- For Becky, Meg, Jodie, and for Claire. Tess was so gentle, so understanding, and tried so hard to make everyone happy. And in a way Claire was envious of the fact that Tess had a mother. Even though she loved Jack and Drovers Run, deep down she did miss having a mother. Ruth hadn't only walked out on Jack—but she had abandoned Claire also. Claire felt bad for all the times Tess had been there for her and supported her—and what had Claire ever done in return but tease her and make fun of her—but she didn't know any other way to show she cared. And how she'd kill to be home at Drovers run now with Tess—or even for Tess to be here—Tess would know what to do. Claire had been so stupid to come here on her own, to not even tell anyone where she was, what she was looking for- they thought she was in Adelaide for the week, no one would even miss her for days. And by then it may be too late.
Oh no! Was it really 7:08? Had Tess slept in? Again? It was the third time this week. That's if you call 7.08 sleeping in! It wasn't even her fault this time- it was Alex and his bizarre 3am phone call. Tess rushed down the stairs about to rush over to Becky's but decided against it- Becky never waited for her. She thought briefly about making lunch for everyone but decided against that as well- no one would appreciate it. After a cup of coffee she decided to go check the fences- that sounded like something that needed doing. She mounted Oscar- still a little nervous about riding horses- but at least today there was no one around to watch her fall off. It seemed so easy for everyone else—riding horses, getting up at the crack of dawn, fixing fences, moving sheep. Tess was constantly putting her foot in it in one way or another, saying and doing the wrong thing. There seemed to be a lot she had to discover about life in the country. It seemed like she could do nothing right since she arrived and let the cows out that first night. She tried to hard to fit in—and yet there was that fear deep inside that she'd never really fit in at drovers run. She wasn't like Claire. Tess was so proud to be Claire's sister. Claire could do anything. Tess loved to introduce herself as Claire's sister, as Jack's daughter. How different it all would have been if Ruth hadn't left...
Alex woke in the chair in the guest room. His head was throbbing, definatly one to many beers last night—but there was only one thing on his mind- Amy. He looked over to the bed where she had been sleeping—but she was gone. He raced up and called her name. He searched the house, there was no sign of her. Where could she have gone? He had to find her before someone else did. Or had it all been a dream? Of course it was a dream. He was drunk—Amy had never been there. It was a dream—but why was he dreaming about Amy, why now? He must've been real drunk.
"No Jodie, not like that, like Becky's doing!"' Meg Called out as Jodie and Becky were trying to put new fence posts in. Becky wasn't a bad kid, Meg decided. Sure she had been concerned about her influence over Jodie, but when you look at the family she came from what could you expect really, Meg thought. And she admired Becky's independence and hard working attitude, and the way she had overcome the difficulties of her past. Why couldn't that rub off on Jodie. Becky was so happy to be here at Drovers Run, so grateful for the opportunity Claire had given her, so thankful to have a place to belong. Jodie wasn't very grateful at all, and couldn't wait to get away. Maybe she had been too spoilt. Becky had had nothing handed to her in life—but look at her now and what she is making of her life. Meg was impressed with the way Becky had changed since working at Drovers Run. Jodie on the other hand was not so impressed it seemed to be all Jodie heard these days—'Why cant you be more like Becky?' It was surprising considering how Meg had first felt about Becky. But now it seemed Becky could do no wrong in Meg's eyes—but Jodie on the other hand was always doing something wrong. Jodie thought Becky was awesome, but was getting a little tired of competing with her for her mothers attention. Since when had Meg and Becky been friends anyway, Jodie wondered?
"Jodie! For heavens sake watch what you're doing" Meg called out. That was it- Jodie had had enough.
"Why don't you finish the job with Becky since I'm so hopeless!" She shouted and stormed off.
Claire had spent the night searching the room for the tape she needed. She was now positive it wasn't in the room- but she had expected as much anyway.
"Are you looking for this Claire?" She heard Brads voice behind her- she turned to see him standing in the doorway- with the tape in his hand.
"Brad..." Claire began, having no idea how she would finish.
"Isn't this what you came here for? To steal my property?" His voice was strangley calm. "Well, Claire , If you want to leave, take your tape and go."
She couldn't believe it. He was just going to let her leave? Alive? With the tape? That was impossible. She was expecting him to kill her, or lock her away for ever, or destroy that tape she needed so desperately. There has to be a catch. But what? Claire was so desperate to return home. This was her chance. She'd be a fool not to take it. But she'd be a fool to believe this was as simple as it seemed. At this point, she'd would risk anything to leave this place and return home to drovers run. And she would get to take the tape as well!
"Leave now, Claire, if you want to go." It was almost as if he was challenging her to leave. She walked towards the doorway, her only exit. Brad was blocking the way. She came closer. He stood aside. Had she misjudged him? No, there was definitely something wrong with this picture. She had no time to wonder about it though. She walked right past him and down the stairs without turning back. She reached for the door handle.
"Claire..." His eerie voice summoned her. She should have known it was too good to be true. She quickly spun around. He was standing right in front of her.
"... You forgot your tape." He finished. He handed the tape to her and she left, glad to have that strange experience behind her.
Tess looked around. There was one thing for certain- she was utterly lost. Could the day get any worse? Lost on her own property—this was quite possibly the most embarrassing thing that had happened to Tess since arriving at Drovers Run. She was sure she'd never seen this part of the property, and she couldn't remember the way she'd come. Maybe if she followed the fence line she'd be alright. But which way? She came across an old shed and was about to have a look inside. She tied Oscar up outside, and was about to go in when she heard the sound of footsteps. Who could it be way out here? She picked up a big stick—ready to attack. 'Who's there?' she called out? No one answered. The footsteps came closer. "Hellooo?" Tess called out again
"Well hello to you to" Jodie replied.
"Jodie you scared me to death!" Tess announced.
"Me? You're the one with the big stick. Who were you expecting?" Jodie asked
"No one. I thought you and Becky were putting up the new fence, so what are you doing here?"
"What are you doing here?" Jodie snapped.
"Is there something wrong Jodie?" Tess asked.
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Ok then. Well, do you happen to know where we are?"
"I don't know- I was hoping you'd tell me. I've been walking round in circles for hours" Jodie admitted. "So I guess we're lost."
"Not to worry" Tess assured her. "I just remembered something mum used to say, - 'I'm not lost—I know exactly where I am- I just cant find the rest of the world."
"Gee I feel better already..." Jodie joked.
"Do you know what's in that shed" Tess asked
"Why don't we check it out while we're waiting for the world to reappear." Jodie suggested.
Tess reached for the door-, and was about to turn the handle,
"No! Don't' go in there." The girls heard Meg's voice from behind them.
"Why not?" Jodie asked, "What are you doing here?"
"We thought you might've gotten lost, and Becky and I came looking for you." Meg explained
"No no, we're not lost. it's the world that's lost." Jodie sarcastically informed her.
"What?" Meg asked"
"Nevermind that now." Tess insisted, "Whats in the shed?"
"Um..Nothing" Meg answered.
"So.." Began Tess, "If there's nothing there- we can go in"
"No don't...' Meg protested- but it was too late, Jodie, Tess and Becky were already inside. Meg followed reluctantly.
"Big deal, its practically empty" Becky observed.
"Except for this" Tess picked up an old red hair ribbon from the ground. "Who's is this Meg?"
Meg snatched the ribbon out of Tess's hand, "It's nothing, it was probably Claire's."
"Claire's?" They reply in unison. Tess continues "Meg, I've never seen Claire with ribbons in her hair."
"What does it matter?" Meg asked, "It's just an old hair ribbon –its probably mine."
"It's probably hers" Jodie suggested, and pointed to a portrait that was hidden in the corner of the room. Everyone gathered around to see it. It was a little girl with curly dark hair, and pretty dark eyes, with two red ribbons ties in her hair.
"Yes, you see, it's a painting of Claire" Meg explained "when she was younger."
"Well the artist did a pretty poor job then, coz it doesn't look a thing like Claire" Jodie remarked.
"Maybe Claire painted it" Tess joked.
"What does it matter anyway?" Meg asked.
"It matters because you're hiding something from us Meg" Tess replied. Jodie and Becky nodded in agreement.
Meg could see she would have to say something. "Alright then" she began. "You're right, its not my ribbon, and its not Claires. It was hers" Meg pointed to the painting, "It was Amy's..."
Amy had walked for hours after leaving Killarney. She thought of last night, of Alex, He had saved her life. Why? Did he realise who she was? She was so confused. It was amazing to see Alex again, but she had to leave, she didn't know where she was going, but found herself back at Brad's property. It had taken most of the day to walk from Killarney. She half hoped Alex would come looking for her, but he didn't, and here she was again- back at Brad's house. She wondered why Brad had come back to Australia after all these years. And why had he brought Amy with him. And what was Claire McLeod doing here? Amy had heard Claire's voice, talking with Brad, and then Claire left on foot. How she longed to talk with Claire again, and she secretly hoped she'd get the chance to explain what happened. It would be easier than talking to Alex. She hadn't thought she would see Claire ever again. And she didn't know what to say. Amy snuck out the window in pursuit of Claire, bringing two rain jackets with her- as it was about to storm, it wasn't dark yet thankfully. She wanted to wait till they were far enough away from Brad's property that he wouldn't catch them, so she followed Claire, silently, hiding in the dense bush land that seemed endless. It was a good hours walk to the main road, and she guessed that's where Claire was heading. But it seemed they had been walking for hours, or was it just because Amy was finally so close, so anxious to speak to Claire.
Claire looked over her shoulder. She had an eerie feeling she was being followed. Was it Brad? She sped up and decided she was being silly. She really wished she hadn't left the car at home- but she had to make it look like she'd gone to Adelaide for a seminar- she had Alex drop her at the station, and besides they needed the ute at Drovers run. She tried to take her mind off the feeling someone was following her. She stopped for the first time since leaving the house. It seemed like she'd been walking for hours—surely she must be near the road by now. She threw her hands up in desperation, "Great, I'm lost" she said to herself. She paused, and smiled to herself, then answered "No Claire, you're not lost, you know exactly where you are..."
"...It's the rest of the world that's lost..." a soft voice interrupted from behind her "That's what Ruth used to say to us, remember Claire?"
Claire spun around quickly "Who are you? What are you doing here?"
"Claire, it's me. It's Amy."
"No, no that's impossible" Claire backed away.
""Claire, it's true, it's really me..."
Claire didn't now what to say, could it really be Amy? They were both crying now, and Claire embraced her, saying over and over "I cant' believe it! Is it really you? I don't understand, what is going on?"
"Shhh, theres no time for that now" Amy replied, "We have to get out of here"
It started to rain, and Amy handed Claire one of the rain jackets she had brought with her- thankful that she had time to grab them before leaving. Amy took Claire's hand and quickly led the way. Suddenly Claire tripped over a large branch and knocked her head on the ground. "Claire," Amy called, "Claire, can you hear me?" But there was no response- Claire was unconscious, and Amy was alone again.
"Who is Amy?" Tess asked the others after Meg had left "And what's the big thing about some old hair ribbon of hers from when she was a kid?"
"I don't know" Jodie replied, "But apparantly I don't know anything"
"Becky asked "What's up with you Jodie?"
"People, hello! We're talking about Amy?" Tess tried to get the conversation back on track.
"Someones talking about Amy anyhow" Becky replied.
"Who cares about who Amy is anyway?" Jodie asked.
"Your mother cares" Tess replied. "Aren't you even the slightest bit curious?"
"My mother? Not like you'd know she was my mother anymore. Don't you mean Becky's mother?" Jodie asked
"Where is this coming from Jodie, have I done something to upset you" Becky asked.
"You? No. of course not, what could the perfect wonderful Becky ever do wrong?"
"If you have a problem with me you'd better tell me what it is." Becky insisted.
"Figure it out yourself since you're so wonderful." Jodie replied as she stormed off.
"FINE!' Becky called after her, and stormed off in the other direction. Leaving Tess alone in the old shed. She decided to ask Claire about Amy when she returned form Adelaide. Claire knew everything that went on round here. But for the moment Tess forgot about Amy, as she realised that everyone had left her and she was once again lost.
Claire didn't wake until the morning, her head was aching, but she felt a strange sense of peace, that she hadn't known since Amy died. Had she really seen Amy, was she really alive? She opened her eyes and suddenly became aware she was back in the room at Brad's house.
"Amy?" she called. She received no reply.
"Good morning Claire" She heard Brads voice and turned to see him once again standing in the doorway.
"What am I doing here, Where's Amy?" Claire demanded to know as she quickly got out of bed and stood to face him.
"Amy?" He laughed. "What do you mean where's Amy? Amy isn't anywhere, I hate to break it to you, but Amy died, a long time ago."
"Don't you lie to me, I saw her last night. I saw Amy, what have you done with her! Claire demanded.
"Claire" he began as if talking to a small child "You hit your head, you must have fallen in your great rush to leave. You were dreaming. I found you last night and brought you back here. You're free to leave whenever you want"
"I'm not leaving without Amy." Claire insisted.
"Amy Amy Amy, why is everyone so concerned with Amy? What good did it do anyone to care about Amy? Where did that get Jack, or Ruth or Alex, or you. Tell me Claire, What's the story with Amy? Poor, sweet DEAD Amy..."
"The story is—she isn't dead. I saw her" Claire insisted.
"Poor Claire, you're hallucinating. I think you've been working too hard. Amy is dead. How on earth could she be alive? Tell me that? How is it possible? You fell, hit your head, you were dreaming. Though why you dream of Amy I don't know...what is it with Amy? Tell me that Claire."
Claire hated to admit it, but he was making sense. She had probably been dreaming. It made no sense Amy was alive. It wasn't possible. Claire hit her head and was dreaming. And all she wanted to do was get home- then she could figure out what it was that had happened.
"I have no intention of keeping you here. You can leave now if you want, but you seem to have misplaced your tape."
"The tape doesnt matter anymore" Claire told him.
"Suit yourself", Brad replied, "Good bye Claire."
She got up to leave. Again he stood aside and let her through the doorway. And again she reached the front door before he stopped her.
"Claire..." He began. She turned to face him again. He continued "Where did you get that lovely jacket?"
She looked down at the rain jacket she was wearing. The jacket- Amy's jacket. That was no dream- and Brad knew it. He stood for a moment starring at her, and then he finished , "What are you waiting for Claire?"
To Be Continued...