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The time had come for Kate to talk to Josh and she sought out her brother and suggested a walk. He agreed and they left the group on the porch. Ben settled down to talk to them all about the sweep. “So,” Josh began once they were out of earshot, “you and the officer got something going on?” Kate blushed and nodded, “yes, but I have something a little more serious to talk to you about.” Josh was intrigued, but they had just hit the difficult spot of the creek-bound path and they fell silent while they negotiated it. Kate began again once the path evened out, “I’ve found out more about Jo.” Josh looked at her, he could tell it wasn’t good by the tone of her voice, “what’s wrong?” he asked, concerned. “His real name is Sergei, Mum and Dad can fill you in on the details, but the upshot is that there are some people after him and we can’t return to Melbourne. When I got home on Friday my place had been trashed,” her voice faltered and she sat down on the log that they had just reached. “My God,” Josh said finally, “Where will you go? What will you do? Is that why you changed your hair? Will you ever come back? How…?” Kate raised her hand, “one question at a time!” she exclaimed, “I’ve barely even considered some of that stuff yet.” She was close to tears and Josh reached out his hand, “I’m sorry, it’s just so… so surreal!” he said and hugged her tightly. “Where will you go?” he asked again once he had released her. “We’ll hang around near here initially,” began Kate haltingly, unsure of how much to say, “and then we’ll probably head west.” Josh looked dumbfounded, “Will you leave Victoria?” Kate nodded, “probably, these people are dangerous,” she explained patiently. Josh ran his hand through his hair, he was finding it difficult to overcome his initial shock, and “do Mum and Dad know, Colin?” Kate patted his knee, “yes, Mum and Dad know, I told them on Friday, but I don’t want Colin to know. Dad is going to tell him that I was transferred for work.” Josh looked at her bemused, “Adelaide?” She nodded, “but don’t tell anyone, not even Sarah. The less people that know, the better.” Josh nodded, the gravity of the situation was beginning to sink in, “and Ben knows about all this?” “Of course,” Kate nodded, “he was the one who discovered most of this stuff about Jo.” Josh nodded, ‘of course,’ he thought, “and the man in the park?” “Not directly connected, but linked,” Kate replied. “Wow, Kate,” Josh said finally, “This is big!”

The day passed happily, they had popped in on Jo on their way into the village, but he had elected to stay at Lucy’s place. Kate was glad, he might not have the chance to enjoy the simplicity of childhood much longer…. They all went in different directions once they had arrived, though the couples mostly stayed together. Steve had decided to stay behind. He was still finding Kate and Ben’s relationship a bit difficult to cope with. He had given Josh a short list of the few things he wanted. Ben and Kate headed for the hardware shop. Kate wanted a few things for her upcoming journey and she figured it would attract less attention with a man in tow. She bought a camp stove, gas bottle, tent, cooking set, storm lantern, torch and extra batteries, transistor radio, small spade, Swiss Army Knife, small chopping board, rope, jerry can and funnel, car oil, two swags, a little picnic set, a rubber backed rug, a bucket, a small set of cleaning supplies and a small tool kit. “That should do it,” Ben said as they approached the counter fully laden with their purchases. “Phew!” the sales assistant whistled, “you city folks going camping?” he asked as he began to ring up the items, “there are some great spots around here.” Ben and Kate nodded, “So we’ve heard,” commented Ben, taking the lead. He paid with his credit card. Kate had cut up her credit cards already, they would be too easy to trace. She had emptied her bank account once they had left the apartment on Friday afternoon. The teller had been a little surprised and it had to be checked with the manager, but it had gone smoothly. Kate had told them that she was moving overseas indefinitely and was closing the account. It had contained close to eight thousand dollars. They left the store loaded up with their purchases, thankfully they had parked one of the cars nearby and a shop attendant assisted them to get everything into the car, “that’s the lot,” he said with finality, slapping his hands together, “have a great time, I recommend the Grand Ridge Road.” He wandered back into the shop, shaking his head.

Kate and Ben visited the chemist next. Kate picked out a first aid kit, basic medicines, earplugs and eye masks, eye drops, extra cotton wool and buds, tissues, nail clippers, moisturiser and sunscreen, vitamins, and ginger travel sickness pills. She also picked up her colour saving shampoo and conditioner and a touch up kit to fix her roots once her hair began to grow out. She picked out a few small gifts as well, there was a little gift shop at the front of the chemist and it had some nice local stuff. “Just passing through?” the sales assistant inquired as Kate placed the items on the counter. Kate nodded, Ben was lingering nearby acting bored, just like your average boyfriend, though he was keeping a close eye on proceedings. Kate paid in cash and thanked the assistant quietly once she had her bags, change and receipt. She grabbed Ben and headed for the door. “She was an odd one!” the sales assistant remarked to the pharmacist rathe loudly before Kate was even out of earshot. She grimaced, “Don’t worry,” Ben reassured her, and “you weren’t so odd I thought you came across as a city high-flyer, bored with a dim-witted sales assistant. No one will give you a second thought.” Kate wasn’t so sure, “You think so?” she sought further reassurance. “I really think so,” Ben said, “You worry too much.” Kate was almost indignant, “I have reason to be!” Bess and Alex caught up with them then, “Reason to be what?” asked Bess. “A worrier!” Ben repeated and they all laughed. Everyone had purchased his or her favourite chocolates and lollies for tomorrow’s sweep as well.

Mrs Jones and Steve had prepared high tea and it was all laid out in the formal dinning room at the front of the house. The day had turned a little cool and cloudy and the high tea was cheering. Jo had silently begged to stay at Lucy’s again tonight with his puppy and new friends and Kate had readily agreed. She would be able to spend another night alone with Ben, and she was acutely aware that it would most likely be their last…. She was a little sad and struggled not to betray how she felt to her closest friends. Ben was well aware of it and trying valiantly to cheer her up, though he wasn’t feeling all that cheery himself. A dainty plate of petite pieces of shortbread was being passed around. They were all trying to maintain a fun sense of formality, but it was a struggle, they weren’t in the mood for seriousness. Sarah giggled and it rapidly spread around the room till they were all practically rolling on the floor with laughter. Their formal composure was long gone and they relaxed into informality and jokes. Mr and Mrs Jones were recounting the childhood exploits of their children. Tim and Sarah had coloured significantly, “Awe, Mum, do you have to?!” Tim complained. “No, no, do go on,” Josh encouraged, Sarah had already been privy to his most embarrassing childhood moments, thanks to his mother. Mrs McBride and Sarah got along far too well for Josh’s liking! Kate couldn’t stand it any longer, the opposing emotions were raging within her, and she escaped outside.

Ben found her a little later on the rear terrace steps and he sat down beside her and put his arm around her. She had been crying again, “Please don’t try to cheer me up,” she requested emphatically. Ben looked a little wounded, “I’m sorry,” she said softly and laid her hand on his shoulder, “I can’t bear it.” Tears began welling in her eyes again and she let them flow freely. Ben passed her his handkerchief silently and squeezed her gently. He didn’t know what to say. He could feel himself sinking into melancholy too. He shook his head and stood up, he reached out his hand and pulled the still sniffling Kate up, “how about another story?” he suggested, “it might help to take your mind off it all for a while, the book is in my room.” Kate nodded and they headed towards the old milk shed. Kate built up the fire in the grate while Ben retrieved the book. They settled into the couch and Ben flipped pages, Kate stopped him at ‘Vengeance is Mine Inc.’ “It’s a good one,” she said quietly. Ben began to read….

They were just beginning their fourth story when Bess and Alex came in. They warmed themselves in front of the fire. “Roald Dahl!” enthused Bess, “I love his stories, so twisted!” “Um, who is Roald Dahl?” asked Alex, they all looked at him incredulously. “You don’t know?” exclaimed Kate, “only one of the greatest modern story tellers, ‘Charlie and The Chocolate Factory?’” she said defensively. “Didn’t you ever read books as a kid?” asked Ben, they had both cheered up with the stories. Bess and Alex arranged a few cushions on the floor and settled down for the tale, it was Kate’s turn to read and it amused them all till dinner was called. They all trooped back up to the house and left their shoes on the porch, as usual. It was a simple meal of stir-fry and rice, but it was just a delicious as always. Kate barely ate anything and it didn’t go unnoticed, “Lost you appetite, dear?” commented Caroline. Kate looked up, she had been playing with her food absent mindedly for the last five minutes, “yes,” she said quietly, “I have a bit on my mind.” Mrs Jones left it at that. She didn’t want to pry. She rose and collected up the plates, Tim helped her. She returned from the kitchen with golden syrup dumplings. “Do you always have dessert?” asked Steve. “Almost always,” replied Bob. The mood that evening was a little subdued and they all went their separate ways once dessert had been completed. Ben and Kate went for a short walk before returning to the old milk shed and then sat on Kate’s bed and he read her to sleep. He watched her for quite a while once she was asleep. He was concerned; she looked tense and worried even as she slumbered. He was worried about her. “Goodnight, Ben, thanks for the story,” Bess said quietly as he got up reluctantly and returned to his room. “Goodnight,” he replied and switched off the light.