Cale and the Hidden Stones, page 9
“Your mother is coming the day after tomorrow to collect you,” he said.
He didn’t seem altogether happy at the news but was putting on a brave face.
Cale’s heart sank. His confidence evaporated at the prospect of the new house and the inevitable new school. Then he saw Rosie’s face and realised that he wasn’t the only one to feel the shock of reality. He pulled together the shreds of his confidence and smiled at her.
She smiled back, and then she got an idea.
“I think your mother needs to meet my mother while she is here,” she said.
“Yes,” he replied. “That would be a very good idea.”
A plan was beginning to form in his mind. The hunt for the next stone fragment would be a great distraction from the unpleasant reality of a new school and a new town. They needed to go to a high place down south.
Chapter 10: Rocky ground
Cale's mother arrived in the middle of the morning with Cale’s siblings. Cale was reluctant to leave. He had only vague memories of the southwest from an earlier holiday and that had been on the coast; this would be inland. And there was a new school. He was not happy about that.
“Will you have some tea?” asked Uncle Andrew.
“I guess we have a little time,” Cale’s mother agreed, pleased to spend a little time with her brother.
They had barely sat down before Rosie appeared at the kitchen door with her mother in tow.
“Hi Mister Miller,” she said brightly. “I thought my mum would like to meet Cale’s mum, so I brought her over.”
Somehow she had convinced her mother to come and say hello to Cale’s mother. Uncle Andrew picked up the thread.
“This is Rosie from next door,” he said to his sister. “She and Cale have been thick as thieves.”
Cale’s mother was surprised that Cale had found a friend and that her brother was friendly with his neighbour. Her brother usually kept to himself and had not often been on speaking terms with his neighbours. She was sure he had been complaining about this woman’s annoying daughter when they dropped off Cale. Obviously something had changed.
“Very pleased to meet you,” she said to Rosie’s mother, ever attentive to social niceties.
They all drank tea together, making polite small talk while Rosie and the others escaped to the garden.
“How was it?” Sarah asked her younger brother. “Staying with the mad uncle.”
“It was okay,” Cale said, noncommittal. “He’s not mad. Just eccentric.”
“We went into town,” said Rosie, eager to be part of the conversation.
“With Uncle Andrew?” asked Sarah with surprise.
“No, we went by ourselves,” Cale replied, uncomfortable. “Uncle doesn’t know.”
“Ooh,” said Stephen, looking at Cale with more respect. “So easily led astray.”
Rosie laughed and they chatted easily. Rosie found them good company, much less reserved than Cale. However, she kept quiet about the important secrets, though she was bursting with them. Keeping secrets was hard.
After Rosie and her mother had gone it was time to take their leave.
“I’m really grateful for you taking Cale,” said his mother.
“Not a problem,” said Uncle Andrew. “He was no trouble. Don’t mention it.”
This was said with genuine warmth and she was surprised and grateful. Her brother had always been happiest with his own company.
After they had left, Uncle Andrew wandered around the house, out into the yard and back again. He couldn’t settle on any one task. His mind wandered. He missed his nephew and the house seemed lifeless and empty.
He sat down and penned a letter to his sister, inviting Cale to stay again when he next had holidays, if he wished and if it was convenient. It wouldn’t be any great trouble to him, and Cale had seemed to enjoy his stay. He sealed the envelope and walked it to the post box immediately, lest he waver and his courage desert him. Once the letter was in the red pillar box, he knew that there was no going back. He smiled and spent the afternoon productively in his usual endeavours.
He waved at Rosie when he saw her and was content.
***
At the end of the day Cale arrived in the small southwest town of Collie as the light was fading. It was a very pretty place. The mine where Cale’s father would work was out of town by some distance and the town was quiet, green, and provincial. It was very different to the young, brash northern mining town of Karratha, and had a very settled look about it. Little was new here, especially the people. Most of the mine workers came from the town and had done for several generations. Cale’s father, and his family, were outsiders and might not be warmly welcomed. He had taken a senior job that might have gone to a local man. A small town could be very warm or very cold, and it was likely to be cool to them. Not hostile and not rude but waiting to see what this new family was like. The townspeople could remain aloof for years.
Their home was not a company house but had been purchased by Cale’s parents. It was large and spacious. Cale’s father had a new position that would bring in a substantial income and he wanted his family to share the rewards. The house was a little bigger, in fact, than he could really afford but with his incentive bonuses their debts would be manageable. There had been some delay in settling caused by the local agent, who seemed to be unhelpful or incompetent or both. However, their furniture had finally been delivered and the house settled while the children had waited in the city. They each had their own room and rushed to begin unpacking their boxes and cases. Cale thought of a dozen things to tell Rosie but had to settle for making some entries in his notebook. He tried very hard not think about school, which would start in a few days.
***
Stephen and Sarah settled quickly into the new school. Stephen was athletic and Sarah was outgoing. Cale was not athletic or outgoing and had not settled. He had not made any friends and spent his lunchtime with a book.
Cale’s mother was also struggling to find her feet in the new town. Cale’s father didn’t understand and was preoccupied with his new job, which was more of a challenge than he’d expected. The attitude of the locals didn’t help him, but he would gain their respect in time. On the job, simple competence was valued, and he was already starting to make a difference.
At dinner, as they sat at the table together, Cale made an announcement.
“I’d like to go camping on the long weekend,” he said.
There was stunned silence. Cale had only ever been a reluctant participant on any camping trips in the past.
“Did you have something in mind?” his father asked, eager to encourage this unexpected enthusiasm.
“Yes, I do,” Cale said. “I’d like to go camping in the Stirling Range down south and climb the tallest peak. I’ve read about it. It’s called Bluff Knoll and is very famous.”
He didn’t mention his real reason for wanting to go there; the likely hiding place of the second stone fragment. However, the others knew of the highest peak in the south of the state and were interested.
“Can you camp there?” his mother asked.
“Yes, you can,” Cale replied promptly. “There is a campsite, managed by a local ranger.”
Cale pulled out a booklet on national parks that he had got from the local tourist shop. It clearly showed the campsite and arrangements.
“I think that is an excellent idea,” said his father. “I could take those days off, and I’d like a break. I haven’t climbed Bluff Knoll for a long time, not since before you were born.”
The last was added with a look that suggested ‘before my life got complicated’.
There was further discussion, but Cale sat back and let the conversation flow around him. His brother and sister didn’t want to go camping, but they did want to go and stay with friends for the long weekend. That suited Cale as it allowed space for the next part of his plan.
When the discussion had died down, and the trip seemed settled, Cale spoke up again.
“Could we ask Rosie to come along?” he asked. “I’m sure she would enjoy it.”
“I guess I can ask her mother,” said Cale’s mother thoughtfully. “If she wants to come, she can get the bus part of the way down. We can pick her up on the way.”
***
After the children had gone off to their rooms the parents chatted.
“I’m surprised that Cale wanted to go camping and climbing,” said Cale’s father. “He has been so reluctant.”
“The others will get to visit their friends,” said Cale’s mother, “and Cale will have a little playmate. Who would have thought? And I could use a break away from the town. It has been a challenge.”
“Everyone happy,” said Cale’s father with satisfaction. “Can’t ask for more than that.”
Chapter 11: The high place
Cale and Rosie sat on the ground, oblivious to the fine red dirt and the large black bull ants that appeared and disappeared into the nearby underground nest.
“I can’t believe that it’s all come together like this,” said Rosie. “As soon as we got your mother’s letter it all fell into place. Mum couldn’t contain herself. A chance to send me away for a few days. She wrote back the same day and then went and booked the bus. I don’t know what your mum made of that?”
“She’s met your mother,” Cale replied with a wry smile, “and was more shocked I wanted a friend to come. That was that. It was lucky that my brother and sister didn’t want to come. That would have made it difficult to bring you as well.” He smiled at the memory of his unlikely plan coming together.
And so it was that they found themselves within reach of the very hill that they wanted to climb, hopeful that the second stone fragment was hidden somewhere at the top.
Even from where they sat, looking at the peak from a little distance, it loomed over them. A chill went up their spines. The weather had been very unpleasant for the first day they had been camping, with fine drizzle and cold winds, and the day’s excursions had been restricted to flattish walks and one small climb. However, this day was fine and clear, and Cale’s father had decreed that it was the day for the big climb. Cale’s mother would stay at the campsite, not really keen on the climb and happy to sit with a book at the campsite. The holiday for her was being away from the house and the kitchen and the laundry.
“Not exactly a climb,” Cale’s father had said. “More of a very long, steep walk with plenty of clambering but no actual climbing. Still, it can be a difficult place if the weather is bad.” He had looked up at the sky again and again while deciding. “Now or never, I think,” he had said. “Should be okay today.”
The local ranger, who managed the national park and kept an eye on campers and day trippers, had agreed.
“The weather’s all over the place,” he had said in his confident drawl, “but I think it’ll stay clear today. You can be caught short by a sudden change when you are at the top of Bluff Knoll. Dangerous place to get caught out.” He had looked meaningfully at the children and then winked at Cale’s father. “Some lose their wits and their bearings,” he said, and laughed.
He was only recently assigned to the area and, like many before him, underestimated the risk. The previous ranger had been more experienced and would never have been so dismissive. Nor would he have advised them to attempt the climb on a day like this.
As they sat waiting for the climb to begin, Cale consulted his notebook. He read out loud “the high place is dangerous and full of deceit. The deceitful one who dwells there will thwart all seekers until the one comes to claim it. Follow your heart, use your wits, and you will succeed.”
“I guess we will just have to play it by ear,” he said to Rosie.
They had sat quietly in many rocky places over the last two days but hadn’t any visions to guide them. Perhaps that would change when they actually began the climb.
“Hello there,” said a voice.
They both startled, having thought themselves alone.
“You going to the top today?” the voice continued, belonging to a boy about their own age. He was a solidly built lad with a large head of black hair and a pale, guileless face.
They had both seen him about the campsite but had kept to themselves. Rosie, as usual, was quickest to respond. She made an effort to be friendly while wanting to move him on. They had a job to do and didn’t want interference from this overly friendly dolt.
“Yes, we are,” she replied, not bothering to hide the fact, given that they were staring at the tall peak.
“We’re going to the top too,” the boy responded with enthusiasm and promptly sat down without further invitation. Cale looked warily at him. “Seems like the weather is a bit dodgy,” said the boy, oblivious to their discomfort. “Might be difficult at the top if the wind shifts.”
“The ranger said it was okay,” said Rosie, a little defensively.
“Yes,” replied the boy calmly. “He told us that too. But he seems a bit green.”
Cale had thought the same thing, but he sat silently.
“Are you from Perth?” the boy asked. “We’ve come down for the weekend. Long way for a few days, but it’s been great.”
“Yes,” replied Rosie. “At least, I am.”
“I’m from Collie, in the country,” said Cale, speaking for the first time. “Still a long way to come.”
“School project?” suggested the boy, looking at Cale’s journal. Cale was a little flustered and shook his head. “Got to go,” said the boy, standing suddenly. “My dad’s calling. He’ll be keen to get going. See you up the top.”
After he had gone, Cale looked at Rosie.
“What are we going to do if he gets in the way?” he asked.
“Don’t worry,” replied Rosie. “I’m sure we can keep him from interfering. He seems harmless enough.”
“Nosy pest,” said Cale.
Neither remembered when Rosie and Cale had first met. He’d had the same feeling then, about Rosie.
Cale’s father called and they rushed to begin the climb. Even though the weather was clear, it was getting very windy, and they struggled with their hats and packs. Occasionally white clouds could be seen touching the rocky peak high above their heads.
As Cale’s father had suggested, it was more of a steep winding walk than a climb, for while this was the highest point in the south the land was old and weathered, with very few hills and nothing as tall as a real mountain. These ranges may have been taller in a far distant age, but now they were simply the tallest points in a flat landscape. Nonetheless, the steady climb was taxing for the children, especially Cale, and after some time they stopped to rest. There was a steady trickle of other walkers ascending and a few early starters coming back down the rocky path.
Cale’s father had gone on ahead. The children rested a little way off the track on an outcropping of granite, deliberately seeking some knowledge. They were not disappointed.
As they allowed themselves to become drowsy, they saw a vision.
The second of the young men was coming down the path. They had both seen him leaving his friend and cousin in the river valley far north of here, but now he looked weary, worn, and unwell. His skin was pallid, and his eyes were leaden. He had also stopped to rest at this point, though the track was different and seemed to follow a different route to the top.
It seemed that his mind was wandering, and his muttered words were unclear. He clearly didn’t have the stone fragment. Something had befallen him. As he sat for a time with his head in his hands, muttering under his breath, a little life seemed to return to him. He rose to his feet and looked back up towards the top of the hill.
“You have wrung a heavy price from me,” he muttered, “but I defy anyone to take that which you now guard.” He laughed a little as he said this, but it was the weary laugh of a sick man at the end of his strength and he dissolved into a fit of coughing. He stumbled down the path, disappearing from their view.
Cale and Rosie looked at each other. Their task was confirmed but the sight of the young man so unwell weighed heavily on them as they resumed the upward trek.
The morning sun was now high in the sky and the climb had become a breathless, sweaty grind. Cale thought he was going to die before he reached the top, and the old Cale would have given up well short of the peak. Today he simply kept going, one step after another.
Rosie took the climb in her stride, weary but undaunted.
Cale’s father was waiting for them near the crest. Like his brother-in-law, he was a geologist by passion as well as profession and was easily distracted by the stone extrusions. He had forgotten about the children until he was nearly at the top. Now he proceeded to instruct them on safety.
“It will be easy to lose each other,” he said, “so stay in sight, keep away from the edges, and be sensible.”
Having delivered this short lecture, Cale’s father then resumed his climb and broached the last rocky barrier to the top. The children followed, allowing him to go on ahead.
They were surprised by the peak. It was a wide, weathered, uneven plateau, surprisingly large in area with many layered granite outcroppings and some low scrub. It wasn’t flat but rather hilly itself. They had already lost sight of Cale’s father. The view was breathtaking. The land seemed to stretch forever into the distance. A chain of small lakes was visible in one direction and the sea in another, though the hazy horizon could have been almost anything. The farmlands were a patchwork of green and gold and even the other hills in the range, some nearly as tall as this one, seemed diminished from this height.
“Where shall we look?” asked Rosie.
Now that they had reached the hiding place of the second stone fragment they were at a loss. Getting to this place had seemed impossible not so long ago, and they hadn’t thought beyond this moment. They had one clue to guide them further but had forgotten it.
“When we tried to really look,” Cale said. “In the church. We found the stone. We just need to look. Really look.”
