5: Under the Stars-2
938 Words
IT WAS SIX IN THE EVENING when they reached the township of Malanda.
Bryce stopped in front of a local, as locals called a pub or a motel.
‘We’re now in the Atherton Tablelands,’ he said, ‘and I’m starving.’
As they entered, the first thing Belle noticed about the Malanda Hotel was its wood construction. The predominant building material used was silky oak, from floorboards to the magnificent staircase which led to the hotel rooms and second floor. ‘Wow.’
‘It’s the biggest timber pub in Oz.’
They walked into the restaurant. The hotel served a range of reasonably priced counter meals, as well as an Australian à la carte menu.
Bryce led them to a corner table. He sat with his back against the wall where he could see everyone coming and going.
‘What are you having?’ she asked.
‘Roo and croc meat,’ he said, looking deadly serious.
She looked at him open-mouthed. ‘Please tell me you’re joking.’
He looked at her sideways and said, ‘Watch me.’
He called the waiter for the menu and laughed out loud at Belle’s discomfort. She soon realised he’d had her again and silently promised herself to get her own back. She pouted and told him off.
They ate heartily, laughing, joking and being the centre of attention. Belle discovered that her husband has a way of attracting unwanted attention, but he could also make himself obscure when it suited him.
It was the first proper meal they have had in two days, and it didn’t disappoint. The steak was tender and juicy, and the salad was fresh.
Bryce paid and led her out.
‘Aren’t we checking in? It’s too late to drive to Gregory Downs.’
‘We’re spending the night here. I’m too tired to drive. But we’re sleeping in the great outdoors.’
‘You’re joking,’ she said. ‘You’re always joking.’
He hugged her tightly, the top of her head merely reaching up to his collar bones.
‘This time, I’m not. Come on, hop in.’
He drove them to a place not far from the town’s main street.
‘We’re at the Malanda Falls,’ he said. He looked up at the night sky and said with confidence, ‘It’s not going to rain.’
She thought that they would sleep on the back of the ute, but she was mistaken. He busied himself rigging something up between two trees: a military hammock, complete with a bug net to keep nasties away.
She was intrigued. Finally, she asked, ‘Bryce, what exactly are we doing?’
‘Why, havin’ a honeymoon, of course, my little pixie.’
‘Honeymoon?’
‘Yeah, some things are more fun when you do it back to front.’
He hooked one end of the paracord to a tree branch then turned to her. ‘My Belle, I’m gonna make an honourable woman out of you yet.’
The hammock ready, he went for a swim to get cleaned up.
She did the same, shampooing and conditioning her hair in the stream, he waded over to her and offered to help. He teased her for wearing a T-shirt to bathe in seclusion with only the watchful eyes of stars as witnesses. He found it so charming and kissed the tip of her nose.
It was cosy and romantic until they heard a plopping sound. She tensed, and he laughed.
‘Don’t worry; it’s probably just a platypus, a turtle or just a giant lizard.’
A giant lizard?
Now she was truly freaked out!
‘I think I’m clean enough.’
He laughed again, and said, ‘Me, too.’
He helped her out of the water. He, of course, was butt naked again!
She turned to him and asked coyly, ‘Don’t you own a pair of briefs?’
‘What’s that?’
She blushed, and he enjoyed it.
Eventually, he gave her a straightforward answer, ‘No, I don’t. I don’t see the point. Ever heard the term ‘going commando’?’
‘But what happens if someone attacks us while we sleep?’
‘I don’t see the relevance. What’s not wearing underwear got to do with my ability to keep us safe? Unless you think I should be in possession of Superman’s briefs. Honestly, I don’t use underwear. But I would if it makes you feel better. Are you uncomfortable about it?’
‘No,’ she said in earnest, ‘I was just, um, curious.’
‘Okay, now you know.’
She went to her backpack to change out of her clingy wet shirt, took out her toothbrush, and he did the same. They shared water from a bottle and then they were ready for sleep.
They walked to the hammock, and she peered in dubiously.
‘Let me guess,’ he said. ‘You’ve never slept in a hammock.’
She nodded.
He shook his head and wondered aloud, ‘What on earth did you ever do for fun?’
She was about to reply when he said, ‘Don’t answer that.’
He couldn’t resist doing one cheeky thing. He lifted her T-shirt that was long enough to cover her butt. Underneath it, she was wearing a G-string. ‘Just my point exactly, I don’t see what purpose it serves.’
She slapped his hand away. ‘It’s none of your business.’
He laughed at her; then she recognised that the man she loves loved to laugh.
‘Let me show you how to get in a hammock.’
He sat on it as if it were a swing, then helped her up, so they were sitting side by side. They stayed that way until the balance was right and the hammock stilled a little.
‘Now, we’ll turn in at the same time. Our heads will be this way, and our feet that way. Ready?’
She nodded, getting excited at the prospect of nesting in a hammock with him.
‘On three.’
On the count of three, they simultaneously turned in. They laid perfectly still until it was okay to adjust their bodies in the hammock without tipping it over. Then he zipped them safely inside the bug net. Cocooned inside, she caught her breath as she looked up at the starry night sky. It was enchanting.
He pulled her in close to the crook of his neck.
‘One day, I’ll teach you to navigate by the stars, so you’ll always find your way home.’
‘I would love that,’ she said dreamily.
The breeze swayed the hammock gently, and soon the sound of the waterfall and the native fauna induced sleep.
*
- Writer
