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  ‘You have to tell Dad, Kath. Hell, it could have been some creep, you just don’t know.’

  ‘Yeah, you’re right. Maybe it was my imagination or maybe it wasn’t, but I just can’t shake the feeling it wasn’t. I’ll tell Dad about it after tea tonight.’

  ‘Laura’s arriving soon. She’s coming a few days earlier this year. It’ll be great to see her again. Let’s hope we don’t have any more fires.’

  When evening came, Kathy was waiting to speak alone to her father. Eventually, after tea, she got the opportunity, and together they went for a stroll around the front garden. She told her father everything. It was a relief to get it off her chest because she had really been frightened.

  Digger’s face was grim.

  ‘Kath, you should’ve come and told me this the minute it happened. We’ve got all these new blokes stationed out at the Bandiana and Bonegilla army camps and we just don’t know who’s roamin’ ‘round anymore. Even if it boils down to nothin’, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

  ‘Go and get Tammi. I want to talk to the pair of you. Bring her to the lounge room straight away. I’m goin’ back inside to tell the rest of ‘em what you’ve just told me. This is not to be taken lightly, Kath!’ Digger felt a sense of dread.

  Without definite proof, they couldn’t lay the blame on the O’Toole kids and their mates. And if it wasn’t them, then who was it? Was it Kathy’s imagination in the orchard? It was not worth the risk to ignore it.

  When the girls came in, he was very firm with them, warning them not to go gallivanting around the valley alone. ‘No more shortcuts through the orchards; take the long way ‘round on the road,’ he told them. ‘You have to come to us about anythin’ that doesn’t feel right to you. If you see anyone hangin’ around lookin’ the slightest bit suspicious, anyone that you don’t know, we want to hear about it, you understand?’ Worry made him sound cranky and the girls looked quite upset.

  Karl agreed completely with Digger. ‘No matter how trivial it might seem to you, you come straight to one of us!’ he stated. ‘If there’s bad goin’s on in the valley, and it looks like there is, we have to stop it before it goes too far!’

  The girls often took shortcuts through the property. No one had ever thought they would have the need to be wary of unknown persons lurking around; they had always felt completely safe in both day and night in the valley.

  A shiver went down Kathy’s spine. Her fear was not imagination.

  ***

  The atmosphere was sombre in the room after the serious talk with the girls. Kathy and Tammi went to their rooms, realising that Digger was very serious about the matter.

  ‘What do you think Dig…?’ Win asked him. ‘Do you think she imagined it?’

  ‘She could have, it was twilight and she does have an active imagination, but we can’t ignore it.’

  Karl butted in. ‘No, we can’t ignore it. Two fires and now Kath tellin’ us this. I’d like to catch the bastard in the act!’

  ‘Look, we know young Kath’s got an imagination, but think about it for a minute. We’ve got our suspicions about the fires; it would be just like those flamin’ young hooligans to do this too,’ Dave added . ‘Scarin’ Kath would’ve been a huge laugh for those brats. Anyway, the girls have sensible heads on their shoulders, they’ll be careful.’ Dave looked at everyone, adding, ‘We’re just gonna have to work out what we’re gonna do about things. What’re we doin’ about the fires? What’s happenin’ up at Sam’s? Is he plannin’ any nightly watch or what?’ Dave was sounding worried and frustrated.

  The topic of conversation then reverted to this recent fire at Sam’s.

  ‘Well, he hasn’t said anythin’ about keepin’ an all night watch. He did say they’d be keepin’ a watch from six ‘til about midnight. Eric’s gonna park his tractor at the front of the packin’ shed from now on. Also keepin’ the slasher there. He’s not takin’ any chances. They cost him an arm and a leg so he’s not gonna risk leavin’ ‘em outta sight,’ Karl told them.

  ‘Con’s kitchen window looks out to the front of the shed, so they’ll be able to keep a close eye on ‘em from the house. Whoever lit that fire is nothin’ but a bloody gutless wonder! We’ve been bustin’ our guts clearin’ bush and scrub to prevent a fire, and this no good bastard goes around lighten em!’

  ‘Well, mate, we can be sure it wasn’t one of us and we can forget about Frank Smith and his blokes. So, who does that leave?’ Digger asked.

  ‘To be honest, Dig, could be one of many. Apart from those flamin’ kids, there’s a few other rough necks in Lavington. There’s a few mongrels around here in the valley who’d think this type of prank’s bloody funny!’ Karl was furious.

  Lavington is to the east of Hamilton valley. Once a prune growing orchard and gold mining area, it is now mostly residential but does still have significant rural areas to the north-west.

  It was officially named Lavington on the 15th June 1909, having previously been known as Black Range. It has slowly changed to become a locality with many shops and parks. It was added to the city of Albury in the 1950’s.

  ‘Chancellor’s been about a lot lately and we all know him and Eric don’t get on that good. Apparently the cops spoke to those kids too, so I heard, but they don’t reckon it was any of them! I’m not convinced though. Their parents backed ‘em up, said they were tucked up in bed. How would they know, they’re always pissed rotten! That youngest O’Toole kid’s a right little mongrel and this sort of thing’s right up his alley!’ Digger replied.

  ‘Well, his father doesn’t set much of an example for him. He spends most of his time at the pub.’ Karl took a deep breath, exhaling loudly.

  ‘That Bill O’Toole has had it in for this family ever since Win turned him down all those years ago, but surely even he wouldn’t stoop this low,’ Emmie said quietly

  ‘Maybe not Bill, Mum, but that kid of his is another matter! He hangs around with Alan Baker and Tom Rawley’s kids. Alan and Tom are thick with O’Toole. They’re always mouthin’ off in the pub about somethin’, meanwhile their kids just run wild!’

  ‘Well Karl, it’s no use us layin’ blame until we have some proof,’ Dave said wearily.

  ‘It could have been anyone, who knows?’ Win suppressed a shiver of fear.

  ‘Well, let’s cross our fingers that it doesn’t happen again,’ Emmie said. ‘If those young blighters did do it then the visit from the police might have been just the thing they needed.’

  The fire had upset her and Dave. She was also very worried about poor old Dave’s health. He wasn’t as well as he had been, and upsets like this were bad for him.

  Eventually they called it a night, but Kathy and Tammi didn’t go straight to sleep. They sat up talking late into the night

  ‘Dad was pretty angry that I didn’t say anything straight away, wasn’t he?’

  ‘Yeah, but that’s understandable; not knowing who’s prowling around lighting these fires has put the wind up everyone. There just might have been someone in the orchard that evening. We better do as he says and stop taking shortcuts from now on.’

  ‘Yeah, I know, I’ll be sticking to the road from now. I don’t care that it takes longer. I tell you, Tam, I was so scared I nearly wet my pants!’

  Tammi shuddered. ‘What if it’s not the local kids lighting the fires, Kath? What if it’s some stranger, someone who’s really dangerous?’

  ‘Oh, I don’t think that, Tam. I reckon Dad’s just being really protective of us. It’s more the act of idiots like the O’Toole kids and their mates. They’ll get caught and boy I’d like to be there when they do!’

  ‘Yeah, me too. Nevertheless, Kath, I’m still scared! If someone was following you, that makes me really worried. Just be careful. We can’t be too sure.’

  ‘I will, I promise. You to kiddo. Let’s hope they’re caught soon.’

  Tammi gave a huge sigh and then changed the subject to one that always made her feel better… shopping!

  ‘
Well the Christmas dance is not that far away and that’s always fun. Grandma said she’ll make us and Eileen new dresses. We’ll have to go shopping for material. What colour should I have?’

  ***

  The annual Christmas dance, held in Hamilton Hall (the local community hall), was always a great turn out and the locals looked forward to it.

  Keith Brewster, the local cop, always turned a blind eye to the goings on of that night. Being a country cop, he knew how hard the farmers all worked. He knew they all looked forward to this annual get-together and he made allowances for this one night.

  However, he had warned them that he would not book any of them for drinking and driving if they only had a few (he did suggest a designated driver would be much better) and as long as they left the hall and went straight home. If they broke his trust then that was it, he would throw the book at them.

  The people of the valley certainly knew how to have a good time! These dances always went late into the night, and young and old turned up dressed to the nines and ready to party!

  It was the one night they could all relax and unwind.

  ***

  Preparations for picking the fruit were in full swing. The packing shed was organised now that the hay had all been moved to the old dairy they had brought from Arthur’s. The packing cases were all being stacked ready to use.

  ‘Nearly time for pickin’ those peaches,’ puffed Digger as he unloaded packing cases from their old international truck. ‘Hope young Robert doesn’t let us down. We’re gonna need his help.’

  ‘There’s a hell of a lot to be done in the next coupla weeks. We’re at the end of November already and it has to be all done before Christmas.’ Karl heaved several more boxes from the truck.

  ‘We’ll be finished with these boxes tomorrow, so we can get a go on with the pickin’ and we’ll get it all done in time,’ replied Digger

  ‘The girls could help too, eh Dig? Wouldn’t hurt them to get down here and give us a hand’

  ‘Good idea, mate. It’ll do ‘em good, too. Keep ‘em occupied and earn a bit of Christmas dough.’

  ***

  Kathy and Tammi didn’t mind helping in the orchard. In fact, they enjoyed it and the money!

  They would come home from school, change into their shorts and t-shirts, and head off to the orchard to start work.

  They had been doing this all week. Finally it was Friday evening, four more days until the end of the month. School would soon be over for the year as well.

  They got stuck into it and worked into the early evening, singing songs and laughing and joking with each other and their cousin Robert who had actually showed up to help. He swore he didn’t play a prank on Kath that evening and he sounded sincere.

  Kathy slept in late on the Saturday morning.

  ‘Damn it!’ she growled when she woke, realizing she had slept in. ‘Ten o’clock and I want to go shopping.’

  She hurried to the bathroom, quickly got ready and ran downstairs.

  ‘You’re in a hurry, dear,’ said Hazel as she watched her gulp down a glass of orange juice.

  ‘I want to get to the shops before they close and the bus goes at eleven. Where is everybody?’

  ‘They all went down to the orchard earlier. Let you sleep in because you’ve worked all week.’

  ‘Well, could you please tell them I’ve gone to town when they come back? I’ll be a bit late coming home. I’m going to hang around in town for a while, the girls from school were thinking of going Chrissy shopping today as well. So please tell Mum for me or she’ll worry. Must go or I’ll miss the bus.’

  She rushed out the back door and hurried off down Centaur Road towards the bus stop, which was some distance from Kia-Ora.

  Eddie Chancellor was cruising along Centaur Road in his old black Zephyr when he spotted Kathy.

  ‘Well, well,’ he thought. ‘If it isn’t sexy little Kathy Miles.’ He pulled up alongside her.

  ‘Well, Kathy Miles, what’s your hurry?’ he asked, giving her his most charming smile.

  ‘I’m late for the bus, Eddie.’

  ‘Hop in then. I’ll give you a lift.’

  He eyed her up and down and liked what he saw. She had on tight bell bottom jeans and a white midriff cotton top. She’d left her hair hanging loose and her face was flushed from running. She was breathing hard and her chest was rising and falling rapidly with every breath.

  ‘Nice set o’ boobs she’s got there too,’ he thought, smiling at her.

  ‘C’mon, I won’t bite, you know.’

  ‘Um, oh, alright, thanks,’ she said, thinking… ‘What’s the harm? It’s just a lift.’

  ‘I can drive you to town, if you like…’ he said when she climbed in.

  After a slight hesitation, she agreed. ‘Well… ok, yeah that’d be great, thanks.’

  ‘Not a bad day, is it? Weather’s been perfect lately. It’s nice at the Weir this time of year. Have ta go out there an’ check it out soon.’ Eddie sneaked a look at her from the corner of his eye.

  The Hume Dam was completed in 1936. Originally named the Mitta Mitta Dam, on the 17th February 1920, the River Murray Commission decided to honour Hamilton Hume, who in company with William Hovell, was one of the first Europeans to see and cross the Murray River in 1824. In 1920, the reservoir was named the Hume Reservoir, and adopted the name of the Hume Weir. The names would later be changed again to the Hume Dam and Lake Hume. It is hard to imagine, looking at the massive 1616-metre concrete Hume Dam Spillway today, that the bulk of the structure was built by men using horse and cart, steam power and moving rocks by hand.

  The engineering project captured the imagination of the nation and, at the time of completion in 1936, the dam was the biggest in the Southern hemisphere and one of the largest in the world.

  In the 1950’s, increased inflows to the Murray River as a result of the Snowy Mountains Scheme led to moves to double the dam’s capacity and by 1961 the Hume Dam could hold more than six times the amount of water in Sydney Harbour.

  One of the most fascinating aspects of the building of the Hume Dam was that two towns were literally picked up and moved to make way for it. Bowna was moved during initial construction works in 1933 and later, Tallangatta followed when the height of the dam was raised nine feet in 1956.

  The flooding of Tallangatta necessitated an eight kilometre journey to higher ground for 104 houses, two pubs, four petrol stations, two general stores, three halls and four churches. They even took the trees that now stand in the new town’s park.

  The move was completed on June 29, 1956, at the cost of two and a half million pounds. In a good year, the skeleton of the old town was submerged deep under the waters of upper Lake Hume, but during the times of drought, the old streets can still be traced.

  While the Hume Dam was created primarily to assure an unceasing water supply to irrigation districts and towns along the Murray River from Albury to Adelaide, it has the added spin-off of being a freshwater paradise for water sport enthusiasts, anglers and bird watchers.

  The dam is stocked with fish. Most of these are introduced species – carp, red fin and trout – though native species such as Golden Perch and Murray Cod can also be found.

  Kathy smiled in response, ‘Yeah, the weather has been lovely lately. Soon everyone will be out there; it gets really packed, and tourists fill it up over Christmas and New Year.’

  ‘Christmas… it’s come around pretty fast. You goin’ Christmas shoppin’ today?’ he questioned.

  ‘I’m going to look. I’m not sure what to get anyone really,’ she responded.

  ‘Got a boyfriend, Kathy?’

  ‘No one special.’

  ‘Well then, maybe you’d like to take a drive to the Weir with me?’

  Kathy was surprised by his unexpected invitation and wasn’t sure how she should respond.

  Eddie grinned at her. ‘As I said before, I won’t bite, you know.’ He chuckled, looking at her through half closed lids with his hair falli
ng boyishly over his forehead.

  He didn’t really expect her to accept and was surprised at himself for even asking her.

  Kathy was tempted. Something about Eddie excited her; she couldn’t help thinking he was very sexy and very handsome no matter what people said about him.

  ‘Stuff it!’ she thought, impulsively making up her mind.

  ‘Well, yeah, I suppose that would be ok.’

  Eddie nearly ran the car up the footpath. Was he hearing right? Was this flash chick really going to go out with him, even if it was just a drive out to the Hume Weir? ‘Better make a time before she changes her mind.’ His mind raced.

  ‘Well how about this evenin’?’

  ‘No, I can’t this evening.’ She knew she would have difficulty getting out without raising questions from her parents since the scare in the orchard and how they had clamped down on both her and Tam. She also knew she would be in huge trouble going with Eddie if she was found out. Part of her became doubtful about going at all… but as fast as the doubt entered her mind, she cast it aside.

  ‘How about this arvo then?’ he continued.

  Kathy thought for a minute. She hadn’t made any specific plans to meet any of her friends after she finished her shopping.

  ‘Okay, why not, yep, this afternoon will be good.’

  ‘Okay then, I’ll drop you off in town and meet you at one o’clock outside the post office.’

  ‘I can’t believe me luck; Kathy Miles has just agreed to go out with me!’ He smiled to himself thinking his Christmas had come early.

  Kathy still couldn’t believe what she’d gotten herself into. What had possessed her to agree to go out with Eddie Chancellor? If her parents got wind of it she’d be grounded until she was fifty!

  Feeling guilty again, she was half inclined not to turn up to meet him. Still, there was something about him she liked and she felt a tingle of excitement at the thought of spending time with him.