Page 16 of The Missing Sister

‘All I know is that they were at school and then uni in Dublin together. They lost contact for a long time – it happens, doesn’t it, when people move away after uni? But now they’re thick as thieves again. Can I get you guys a sarnie? My belly’s rumbling f’sure.’

‘If it’s no trouble, that would be fantastic,’ CeCe put in before Chrissie could politely decline. Her belly was rumbling too. ‘We can come in and help you,’ she added.

They followed Tony into a neat kitchen, which he proudly said he’d built himself.

‘Never thought I’d get ta live in it, mind,’ he said as he pulled cheese and ham out of the fridge. ‘We’re a bit low on supplies – everything has to be brought in by boat or plane, y’see. A new delivery isn’t until tomorrow.’

‘It must be amazing living here,’ said Chrissie as she buttered the bread.

‘For the main part, yeah,’ Tony agreed. ‘But like Robinson Crusoe, island living has its drawbacks. There’s not much here for the young ’uns and a lot o’ them leave the island to go to uni or find work. The internet is bloody terrible and unless you’ve got your own business like me, tourism’s the only main industry. It’s becoming an island of old folks, though there are changes coming to improve things, get some new blood. It’s a beaut place to bring up kids. Everyone knows everyone here and there’s a real sense of community. It’s dead friendly and there’s very little crime. Right, shall we take our tucker outside, eh?’

The girls followed Tony back out onto the terrace and launched into their sandwiches.

‘Tony?’

‘Yeah, CeCe?’

‘I just wondered if, while she was here, you’d seen Merry wearing an emerald ring?’

Tony burst into a deep throaty chuckle.

‘Can’t say I look at stuff like that. Bridge says I’d never even notice if she came in dressed as Santa Claus, and she’s probably right. Although... hang on a minute...’ He put his fingers to his short beard and stroked it. ‘Come ta think of it, I do remember a couple of nights ago, Bridge and Merry comparing rings. The one I bought for Bridge as an engagement ring had a green stone, of course... her being Irish an’ all.’

‘And...?’ CeCe leant forward.

‘Merry was wearing an emerald ring too – they put their fingers together and shared one of those looks girls share, y’know?’

‘So, she was actually wearing an emerald ring?’

‘Yeah, she was. They were laughing, because Bridge said her emerald was bigger than Merry’s.’

‘Right.’ CeCe and Chrissie exchanged a glance. ‘That’s encouraging,’ CeCe nodded. ‘Maybe we’re on the right path after all. Do you happen to know where she’s going after Sydney?’

‘Yeah, she’s headed to Canada – Toronto, I think she said, but I can check with Bridge.’

Chrissie looked at her watch. ‘Thanks for your help and the sarnie, Tony. We’re gonna get in a swim before we go to the airport.’

‘Well, why don’t we get the plates cleaned up – I don’t want ta leave any mess around the place for Bridge to complain about – then you can jump in my pick-up and we’ll do a quick tour of the island and finish off with a swim?’

‘Wow! We’d love to,’ smiled CeCe.

After a whistle-stop tour of the island, which could be reached end to end within twenty minutes, Tony drove them down a narrow road.

‘Check out those.’ Tony pointed at the row of ancient trees which towered above them.

‘They look prehistoric. What are they?’ asked CeCe.

‘They’re Moreton Bay fig trees; some of them are over a hundred years old,’ Tony told her as the road led them past the airport runway and wound downwards, opening out at a small bridge and a cluster of stone buildings. They arrived in front of an almost deserted beach, where gentle waves lapped at the shore. In the distance a line of foaming white breakers indicated a reef. Tony led them to the hut that provided changing facilities and they emerged in their swimwear with their towels around their waists.

‘Race ya!’ called Tony, beginning to run across the warm sand towards the waves. ‘Last one in’s a sissy!’ he said as he splashed up to his waist then dived in. A few metres from the water’s edge, CeCe helped Chrissie take off her prosthetic leg. Chrissie wrapped it up in a towel and placed it a safe distance from the waves.

‘It always freaks me out that someone will come and steal it,’ said Chrissie as CeCe helped her move towards the sea.

‘Even I can’t imagine anyone being mean enough to do that,’ said CeCe. ‘Right, off we go. Try not to leave me behind,’ she called as Chrissie immediately dived in. Even though she only had one leg to propel her forwards, being an ex-champion swimmer, she always left CeCe playing catch-up within a few strokes.

‘Isn’t it fantastic?’ Tony shouted from where he was treading water a few metres away.

‘It sure is,’ said Chrissie, who was floating on her back, her face in the sun. ‘Wow, I hadn’t realised how much I miss the sea, now that we live in the Alice,’ she said as she turned to head out further.