like leaving you on your own out here, but really, what alternatives have we? We talked about this. What happens if we just sit here waiting and no-one comes along? We could run short of food and water. What then? Iâd have to hoof it then and it would be even more risky leaving you with no supplies. No, it looks like I just have to do it.â
âHow sure are you of your timing, or even managing to hitch a ride?â
âNot sure about anything. If I leave here early in the morning and head due south - Iâve got the compass and aerial photographs so there isnât much chance of getting lost - I should intersect the Eyre Highway about here.â Alec put his finger on the road map, indicating a point some twelve miles south of the dog fence. âIf I go slightly west, then I could possibly intersect with this track,â he pointed to another line on the map, indicating a poor quality road leading to the Koonibba settlement. âItâs slightly longer but thereâs a possibility of traffic heading along that road so Iâd get a ride sooner.â
âIt seems like six of one and half a dozen of the other. If you walk the shorter distance it could be quicker, but if you take the longer route thereâs a chance of a lift. Youâll have to decide once you start walking. In this heat youâll have to rest up in the main part of the day. So, how long before you reach the main road?â
âIâll take water with me. If I walk at about three miles an hour through the scrub it should take about four hours. Letâs say I walk from first light, thatâs about five thirty, until about ten. That gives me about four hours. From there to town depends if I get a ride or have to walk all the way. If I walk a bit in the dark and start really early Iâd get to the highway about midday, then Iâd surely get a lift.â
âIf youâre walking in the dark I donât want you falling in a wombat or rabbit hole and injuring yourself. Youâll be out there alone so I just want you to be extra careful.â
âI will be, donât you worry about that! Iâll be thinking of you and Carolyn all the time. Once I get to town Iâll get a mechanic organised, so donât expect me back until Sunday, maybe even Monday. Count the days!â
âIâll be counting the hours!â
Alec looked at the map again in the fading light. âOn the other hand, there are some farm tracks south of here so I might even get a ride sooner. Hereâs hoping!â
Having made the decision, they relaxed slightly and spent the evening as if it was just one of their usual camps. Alec was only slightly concerned about leaving his family alone but the lack of traffic, once a frustration, now allowed him a degree of confidence they would be all right. Katherine was a very competent camper.
After Carolyn dropped to sleep, the couple decided to go to bed early in anticipation of the early start. Alec was in the fold-out bed first and, as Katherine sat on the edge rubbing cream on her heels, he leaned over and, putting his hands under her pyjama top, cupped her breasts. He pulled her down towards him.
âI love you so very much,â he whispered as he kissed her.
âI love you too, sweetheart,â was all she managed before he covered her mouth with a lingering kiss.
âShh, donât wake Carolyn,â Katherine managed to murmur before rolling on top of him.
Alec loved this position. He could feel her whole body, stroke her enticing narrow waist as it curved smoothly into her hips, and feel the tickle of her hair as it covered his face. He kissed her breasts, guiltily tasting the sweetness of escaped drops of milk. He felt so at one with her as she allowed his gradual entry.
He groaned and Katherine gently covered his mouth with her hand.
They made love quietly, moving slowly. Alec suppressed his usually noisy passion as best he could