Forest Shadows Read Online Free PDF Page B

took Reg’s coat and then hung it on the kitchen door handle. He pointed to a seat. ‘Sit yourself down; judging by the smell, dinner’ll be ready soon.’
    Fetching another plate and cutlery from the cupboard, Snook couldn’t help asking, ‘How come you’re in Cray Bay, Reg? Are you on a secret mission or somethin’?’
    Reg, still grinning, shook his head.
    â€˜Then maybe, if you’re not doin’ anything, you could help me and Jars look for whatever made them queer lights?’
    Snook’s dad gave him a playful cuff behind the ear. ‘What are you talking about now? Have you been away with the fairies again? Go sit at the table and try to keep that tongue of yours still. We’ve got more important things than queer lights to discuss.’
    Wondering what that could be, Jars began to dish out the meal – lamb chops, mashed potatoes, peas and gravy. She also wondered what Reg was doing in Cray Bay. Probably something official, she thought. Something to do with his work. He was an important man now. And no wonder. Reg was extraor-dinary. He had degrees in biology, genetics and speleology – the study of plants, animals and caves. And because of his exceptional qualifications and talent, he’d been given some higher-up position on the mainland. What that was she didn’t know. But why had he suddenly come to Cray Bay? He’ll tell us soon enough, she supposed.

Chapter Eleven
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    'T his looks delicious,’ Reg commented as Jars set a plate of food before him.
    Waving a fork in Jars’ direction, Jim laughed, and then said,
    â€˜She’s the expert cook around here, Reg. That’s Jars’ job when-ever Irene’s away. Snook helps too. But tell me, what’s brought you to Cray Bay?’
    â€˜Oh, nothing too exciting,’ he said, looking a little uncom-fortable. ‘I’m on a week’s holiday and I fancied coming down here to see all you guys again. Plus, if I can make it happen, I’d an inkling to spend a few days down south at the ranger’s shack in the Wild Rivers National Park. Just to have a look around, maybe see how the regrowth sections are progressing.’
    â€˜Sounds like work to me,’ Jim commented, thinking his friend could be spending his holiday in more exciting ways.
    â€˜No, nothing like that. All I’m looking for is a few days’ relax-ation.’
    â€˜Here’s a thought,’ Jim said scratching his chin. ‘Seeing as you want to go south, you could hitch a ride with us on the boat. Arnie and I are heading for Strahan tomorrow. We’d be happy to drop you off wherever it is you’re going.’
    â€˜It’s past Teepookana Landing, a bit out of your way I’m afraid. At any rate, I was going to hire a boat.’
    â€˜Don’t even think it. A little detour’s not gonna worry us.’ He looked over the table at Jars and Snook. ‘You two can come as well. We’ll be away for the whole long weekend and I don’t fancy leaving you here on your own.’
    â€˜What’s wrong with the usual grounds in the bay?’ Snook asked, not really looking forward to three days at sea.
    â€˜Fished out if today’s any indication.’
    Arnie nodded. ‘C-cray too small, eh, J-Jim? W-we have to go somewhere n-new now.’
    â€˜That’s right,’ Snook’s dad said, picking up a chop with his fingers ready to chew on it. ‘That’s why we’re going to new grounds tomorrow; it’s a case of have to.’
    â€˜Hang on, I’ve an idea,’ Reg said cutting in. ‘Why don’t the kids come with me instead of going on the boat? We could stay in the ranger’s shack. It’s fully equipped. It’d be our base camp. All we’d need is our sleeping bags and some food. What do you say?’
    â€˜Sounds okay to me, Reg,’ Jim said, ‘as long as you don’t mind ’em tagging along,