Page 68 of Larapinta

Kane managed to juggle the two bags and the crate of toys as he followed Ellie and James to the service lift. They were quiet as it rose quickly to the top floor of the multi-storey apartment block.

As the door dinged open to the corridor outside Dru and Connor’s apartment, James realised where they were.

‘Aunty Dru’s house!’ he called out excitedly. ‘Ice cream!’

‘Yes, darling, you and Mummy are going to stay with Auntie Dru for a little holiday.’

‘And ice-creams at the park?’

Ellie pulled a face and looked at Kane. ‘As long as Daddy says we can go to the park.’

‘As long as Aunty Dru drives, I think that’s an excellent idea. It’ll keep you busy, Els.’

‘We won’t go to the shops. We’ll just walk down to the Waterfront Precinct.’

‘A good idea. Here, and down at the precinct, I know you’ll be safe and I can get onto you quickly.’

‘And hopefully you’ll be home in a day or so and everything will be back to normal.’

‘And that’s what I want you to keep in your head. I don’t want you to think of the “what ifs” and worst-case scenarios. Even though you don’t think so, Sandra is a strong woman, and I know she’ll be fine.’

The door opened as they reached the end of the corridor and Dru held her arms open. Ellie straightened her back determined not to cry again; she’d shed all her tears at their farm.

‘Hi, Dru. I won’t say it’s good to be here, but we will have a nice visit.’

Dru cleared her throat, and Ellie noticed the sheen of tears in her eyes. It was very rare to see Dru cry. Since their father’s death, she had worn a protective shell and very rarely showed emotion. Ellie was hoping that motherhood would soften her little sister.

‘Connor’s got some more information from Greg, and it should help the guys search, he thinks.’

Kane put the bags and the crate down in the foyer, and James ran straight to the toys.

‘Jock’s organised for the Yellow Waters R44 chopper to fly over to the airport here so we don’t have to drive to Jabiru. Ryan’s on his way up so we’re going to leave in about an hour or so. It’ll be too dark once we get down there to search tonight, and from what Connor said, we’re going to have to keep a very low profile.’

Connor came down the hall. ‘We are. I’ve booked us into the airport motel at Alice tonight and we’ll get up at first light and head out over the trail.’

He swung James up into the air, hugged Ellie and then shook Kane’s hand. He put his arm around Dru’s shoulder. ‘Okay, bub?’

‘Yeah, I’m okay,’ Dru said. ‘Ellie, come with me to the kitchen. I’ll get some afternoon tea for James.’

‘Ice cream?’ James said hopefully.

‘We’ll see, munchkin,’ Dru said, holding her hand out to him. ‘I’ll make a pot of coffee, and one of tea, and some sandwiches for the guys. Or we could even get a takeaway Thai delivered before you leave.’

Kane paused before he followed Connor down the hall. ‘I’m even starting to wonder whether we should go down tomorrow early in the morning. We won’t be able to do anything tonight.’

Ellie shook her head. ‘No, I want you three down there now. Please, you never know, she might turn up tonight. If she does, she’ll need some family with her and we can’t be there. God, whoever would have thought that Emma and Dru and I wouldn’t be able to be there when Mum needed us?’

‘Stay calm, Ellie. We’ll be there for her.’ Connor gestured to Kane. ‘Come down to the study. Greg’s sent some maps that go with the itinerary.’

‘Tea for you, Ellie?’ Dru called from the kitchen.

Ellie walked down the hall. James was sitting at the table with a bowl of ice-cream, but she turned a blind eye. Aunties were for spoiling.

‘What would we do without a cup of tea?’ she said as Dru warmed the teapot. ‘I’m starting to turn into my mother.’

Dru smiled at her. ‘That wouldn’t be such a bad thing. In fact, you’re starting to look more like Mum every year.’

‘You’re the one who looks like Mum with your blonde hair. But yes, we both look like her,’ Ellie admitted. ‘You got Dad’s height.’