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Rescue Net

By Patricia Snelling

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Ruby rummaged through her hand luggage for her electronic tickets. She had forgotten to put them in with her passport in the bum bag she had fastened around her waist. Her parents Cherie and Lyon drove her to the airport and they were aware they were running late.
‘We have to be at the International Departures over there. You can drop me off at the front door so I can go and get checked in.’ Ruby started to panic, knowing they should have allowed more time for check in.
As she dragged her luggage to the counter, she continually checked her watch. Fortunately, the queue was moving fast.
‘Quantas flight YPA5QH proceed to Gate 28.’
‘Mum sorry, I’ll have to go. I’ll phone you when I arrive. Don’t worry, I’ve done this before remember?’
Ruby gave them both a hug and took off along the lengthy corridor, eager to start her new adventure.
Ruby’s friend Kate had gone to Sydney the previous year to work and save for travelling to South East Asia. She felt a lack of purpose for her life, and had recently felt an ambivalence towards her spiritual life. Ruby had been emailing her about taking the trip together.
Kate was waiting for Ruby at Sydney airport, smiling from ear to ear. ‘So good to see you girl, it’s been ages. You are looking so well.’ Ruby stood admiring Kate’s trendy summer outfit.
‘And you’ve lost weight you lucky thing. That’s ok because I have a big lunch waiting for you back at the flat.’ Kate drove off in a hurry, almost cutting off a car as she pulled out.
She continued. ‘I hope you like ham and asparagus quiche with parmesan?’ Ruby felt uneasy with Kate’s driving, but not enough to lose her appetite.
‘I’m so hungry I could eat a horse. They starve you on those flights…I like the car. Is this a VDub? You didn’t have this last time I was here!’
‘Mum and Dad bought it for me when I passed my Masters. It was a surprise.’
Ruby knew Kates’ parents were very well off, and although she tried hard not to compare herself with others, she felt a hint of envy. She admired Kate’s modern flat as her friend was busy dishing up lunch.
‘If you feel up to it, I could show you a tentative itinerary I have put together for our overland trip.’
‘That’s a good idea, I’m keen to get it sorted too. The only thing is, we won’t be able to go through the Middle East while the war is on in Turkey. I wouldn’t even go to Greece at present.’ Ruby said adamantly.
‘You said in your email you were intending on staying in Thailand for a while to help out at Rescue Net. I’ll just fly directly to London from there.’ Kate replied.
‘That’s why we both need to sit down and put together a plan. Let’s do it as soon as possible.’
The next morning, after writing out an itinerary, the girls wandered along the esplanade into the small shopping mall to a travel agent to check prices. They were offered the information they needed and made their way towards the beach. Ruby spotted a gelato ice-cream parlor.
‘Oh boy, a real gelato place. Just look at all the flavors!’ She said peering through the window. ‘I just love the stuff. I haven’t had one for ages.’
As they sat on the brick wall at the edge of the boardwalk, they caught up on all their news.
‘How are your parents going Ruby? Are they still at that retreat in Cromwell Mead?
‘Yes, they are still there. In fact, they bought it off Annie and Murray. They have had to spend some time at Rescue Net, but most of the time they have locals running the Safe Houses now as they have it well set up. They just over-see it mostly from a distance.’
The overnight train to Kyogle was just drawing into the station and the girls were running to catch it with rucksacks and sunhats flying. ‘Hurry Ruby, we don’t want to miss it, they only run a once a day!’
The train from Sydney was half empty, and to their delight so was their carriage, except for an elderly couple and a young family.
They planned to visit Ruby’s friend Jane in Bonalbo, New South Wales, who said she would be sending a friend called Merv to collect them from Kyogle Station.
They slept until early morning. As the sun was coming up, Ruby looked out the window to see the wildlife. She was enthralled with the giant Kangaroos that jumped alongside the train, as though they were competing in a race with the train. She especially noticed the one with the cute little baby Joey in its pouch and quickly captured the photos on her digital camera.
‘Howdy girls, where do you hail from? I detect a strange accent.’ Two local ranchers wearing leather western hats, slithered into the seat in front of them.
Oh oh. Here we go, Ruby muttered to herself.
‘We are visiting a friend in Bonalbo.’ Said Kate, after explaining where they came from. Neither of the young men had heard of Avonsleigh in Australasia, as they had never left New South Wales. One of the men couldn’t stop talking and showing off. ‘We’re from Charbray Cattle Station near Bonalbo. We’ll be getting off first.’
And thank goodness you try-hards, Ruby muttered to herself as she noticed they stank of horse hair.
She pressed her face up against the window, determined to see some more wildlife, especially a koala bear. The train started slowly, chugging around the corner heading towards Kyogle and slowed right down approaching the station. As it went through a thicket of tall trees, she stared up at the towering Eucalyptus trees then suddenly it happened. There they were before her very eyes. Brown cuddly looking things, most of them lying on their backs sound asleep or curled up around a branch. She hurriedly tried to take some photos, but was not quick enough.
This is what I have come all this way for, she thought, feeling triumphant.
When they finally arrived in Kyogle, Ruby felt some travel fatigue and complained to Kate.
‘You’d better harden up girl, especially for travelling later overland through South East Asia.’ Kate acting with a domineering manner, sounding like an intrepid traveler.
‘I just couldn’t get to sleep the few nights at your flat. I can’t take road noise and this wasn’t exactly a comfortable trip.’

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