Page 22 of Larapinta

Warm hands held her shoulders. ‘Sandy, look at me. Look at me and focus on your breathing. Don’t worry about anything, let’s just get you feeling better. Now, breathe slow and even.’

She did as he asked, and her eyes fixed on a pair of deep brown eyes. She hadn’t noticed his long eyelashes before. Gradually her breathing calmed, and she managed to get air into her lungs.

Finally, she let out a shuddering breath. ‘I’m okay. Thank you.’

‘What happened?’ Graysen’s voice was worried. ‘Did you see a snake? What scared you?’

She shook her head, but her thoughts skittered around. She didn’t want to say she’d been eavesdropping.

Heat ran up her neck. Thank goodness Graysen had interrupted them.

‘Very occasionally when I get tired or stressed, I have a bit of a panic attack. I guess I overexerted myself a bit, and I’ve overdone it. I’m fine now. Thank you.’

He looked at her as though he didn’t believe her. ‘How about we go back and you can get a lift to Simpsons Gap with Jodie?’

‘No, I’m fine to walk.’ As they made their way out from behind the rock, she put her hand on his arm. ‘Graysen?’

His expression held concern. ‘Yes?’

‘Please don’t tell Paul and Cecily I was there. Before they arrived, I was watching the wallabies and the birds and then . . . then . . . um—’

‘And then?’

‘They were um . . . about to get, shall I say . . . up close and personal, and I’d hate them to know I was there. I’m so embarrassed.’

‘Of course I won’t. Young love, hey?’ His smile was wide and she forced a smile back. Her stomach was still churning and her heart rate was up.

‘I guess. Those memories are long gone for me.’

He nodded slowly. ‘Shame how we forget the good things and the bad memories take over, isn’t it?’

Sandra held his gaze. ‘Yes, you can certainly say that again. But I guess if you can remember some of them, it helps to cope with the grief. My memories and my girls have been my rock.’

She shook her head as she realised she was saying too much; Graysen had shown he wanted to keep his privacy and although he’d started this conversation, she knew he wouldn’t want to turn it into a “let’s share our stories” session. Sandra didn’t want to think of the past. Not while she was here anyway, so she nodded briskly.

‘Yes, let’s focus on good memories. Come on, we’d better get back and find out the plan for this afternoon’s leg. We don’t want to get left behind.’

Graysen chuckled ‘Or even worse. Get stuck with Cecily!’

Sandra held back a giggle but it came out as a snort. ‘You’re terrible, Muriel!’

Graysen’s loud laugh made her smile. She was thoughtful as they walked back along the trail. Despite first impressions, and his gruff exterior, Graysen Hughes was a very kind man. And he had a sense of humour.

Chapter 7

Simpsons Gap

Wallaby Gap to Simpsons Gap was just over ten kilometres and Sandra and Graysen completed the walk in just over four hours, with a couple of breathers along the way at Scorpion Pool and Fairy Springs. The public campsite at Simpsons Gap was full of tents and swags. A large group of young people sat in a circle around a campfire.

‘Hey, guys, welcome. Feel free to join us.’

‘No packs,’ one of the girls said with a smile ‘You’re at the posh camp in the bush. Half your luck.’

‘When you’re our age,’ Graysen called with a smile and a wave.

Graysen and Sandra continued to the private eco camp. The Larapinta Luxury staff had set up seven tall tents in the scrub and an outdoor area covered with a canopy sat in the middle of a mostly-cleared area. Their campsite was far enough away from the National Park campsite that the noise of the large group didn’t travel across.

‘Looks good,’ Sandra said. ‘I have no regrets about taking this tour.’