Flight of the Jabiru by Elizabeth Haran Page B

and given him the benefit of a teacher’s scolding, but luckily for him he was heading for the door. Colin Jeffries burst onto the footpath and immediately turned right, so he didn’t see Lara. As he walked towards the doorway leading to the reception foyer, concluding she was still packing, he lamented that he would’ve had time to scull another pint of beer. Lara followed and called out to him.
    â€œYou drank your beer so fast that I doubt you enjoyed it, Mr. Jeffries,” she said, taking him by surprise.
    Startled, Colin Jeffries turned around. “Where did you come from?”
    She caught up to him. “While you were drinking I’ve been standing outside in the hot sun for at least ten minutes, waiting for you.”
    â€œOh, sorry.” He broke into a smile and rubbed his stomach appreciatively. “There’s nothing like a cold beer on a hot day,” he said. He’d actually had two pints but wished it had been three.
    â€œI wouldn’t know,” Lara mumbled, but got no reaction. It seemed sarcasm was wasted on Colin Jeffries.
    â€œDid you put your luggage in the car already?”
    â€œI left my heavy suitcase beside your vehicle,” Lara replied pointedly, but again her comment went right over his head.
    He glanced towards his vehicle. “Crikey. Someone’s swiped it already.”
    â€œIf you are suggesting it’s been stolen, I’m sure it hasn’t. I was only a few feet away.” She couldn’t see it from where she was but she was sure it was still there.
    â€œIt’s not there,” Colin Jeffries insisted.
    Lara wondered how many glasses of beer Colin Jeffries had sculled. “My case is beside your car, Mr. Jeffries. I’ll show you.” They proceeded towards the vehicles. Colin Jeffries went to the driver’s side of the Model T Ford, while Lara went to the passenger side closest to the Vauxhall.
    â€œI told you it was gone,” Colin Jeffries said.
    â€œNo, here it is,” Lara said, pointing down to her case beside the front tire of the Vauxhall. Colin Jeffries came around the Ford to see her case on the ground. “I thought you said it was beside my car,” he said, glancing at the Vauxhall.
    â€œI did,” Lara said. Colin Jeffries looked at his Model T Ford. “That’s my car,” he said. “Whatever gave you the impression I’d own a ‘Woodie’?” He shook his head as if it was unthinkable.
    Lara thought about the flowers with disappointment. Her heart also sank at the thought of the Ford being her mode of transportation to Shady Camp. “You fish, I see,” she said trying to hide her dismay. The thought of getting into Colin Jeffries’s filthy Ford, in her new dress, which happened to be predominantly white with a splash of red and green, was abhorrent.
    â€œIt’s a bit rough,” Colin Jeffries said as if that was all that was wrong with it. “But she’s never let me down,” he added proudly. Colin Jeffries didn’t offer to help with her case, so Lara picked it up, using two hands. “Look, I don’t want to put you out, Mr. Jeffries. I’m sure you have things to do in town. I could easily catch a bus to Shady Camp billabong...” Colin Jeffries looked astonished. “The Darwin bus service doesn’t extend to the wetlands,” he said. “Throw your case in the back and we’ll be on our way,” he suggested.
    With the greatest reluctance, Lara gingerly placed her case on top of his junk in the back.
    â€œClimb in,” Colin Jeffries said when she appeared hesitant.
    Lara was about to suggest a gentleman should open the car door for a lady, but she knew it would be a waste of time. “Manners are obviously in short supply in the Territory,” she mumbled as she tried to open the Ford’s door, but Colin Jeffries didn’t hear her as he was shouting g’day to a mate across the