4. Chapter Three
Chapter Three
Lachlan
Lachlan looked forward to seeing a Quokka for the first time, but rather enjoyed getting to know the Australian woman sitting next to him on the bus, Beth Michaels.
They passed several yellow shacks with tin roofs. The bus driver made an occasional commentary when they passed something noteworthy. “This is where the cruise ship guests resided for quarantine during the breakout of Covid-19.”
Mostly bush scrub and native trees dominated the view. A lake popped up to his right, and now and then, the coast peeked from the left.
Wally sat on the back seat. But Lachlan chose to sit with Beth and ask questions. He took more than half of the double seat. A good thing she was tiny in comparison. “Other than working for the paper, what do you do with your spare time?”
Beth scrunched her too-cute freckled nose and paused for a moment. “My father runs a community centre for the homeless. I fill the role my mother would have—if she were still alive. Admin, fundraising, child care—anything that needs doing.”
He blinked, not expecting that response. “Sounds like you’re a busy woman. Sorry to hear about your mother.”
“She’d been unwell for a long time. I’m the eldest of six. When I was fifteen, Mum first became ill with chronic fatigue, which led to other illnesses later. I took on the mother's role with a toddler still in the home. I’ve only gotten my life back these last few years.”
“Incredible.” This woman lived for others and mustn’t have a selfish bone in her body. “That’s very admirable of you.”
She adjusted her position and faced him. “What about you? How did you end up as a counselor on a Navy ship?”
He cleared his throat. “After I finished school, I trained in hospitality and worked in the industry for a few years. In my twenties, I decided I wanted to help people instead. Mentally, not just get fat from decadent foods. I wasn’t sure where to start, so studied counseling. After I graduated, my lecturer told me about the counselor position he saw advertised in the navy.” He smiled as he lifted his palm. “Three years later, I’m still here.”
She returned his smile. “How long will you continue?”
“I signed a new contract not long ago and have two years left.”
Beth’s posture slumped. “Right. You must love it. That’s a long time.”
“There are many challenges, and it’s often lonely. But I’ve played a role in preventing some of the men from dipping into depression. Makes a big difference to catch the signs early.”
The bus rounded a corner and their shoulders brushed.
“That’s amazing, Lachlan. Good for you. I know I couldn’t do something like that. Certainly not on a ship.”
He laughed softly. “I can’t see you on that ship either. Land suits you much better.”
The bus came to a slow stop. Outside, a few tourists with bikes gathered around, taking photos of something to the side of the road.
“Quokka!” Wally called out. Then a whack sounded from the ceiling.
Lachlan turned. Wally rubbed his head as he ambled down the aisle. “Let’s get off here.”
Beth had already collected her things and joined the line. They followed and got off the bus after her.
Outside, a stocky lady wearing a bike helmet squealed with delight as a large, rat-like-creature hobbled around her red bicycle. Then there were two more. Wally and Beth crept up slowly. Beth kneeled and retrieved a container from her bag and offered the Quokkas a snack.
The large woman with wind-blown tufts poking from her helmet scolded Beth with a tsk. “You’re not allowed to feed them, dear,” she said in a robust Irish accent.
“I won’t. Just tricking this one so I can get a close-up.” Beth slowly angled her camera with the other hand, and with the skill of a pro, circled her lens and took the shots.
The Quokka fussed around Beth, sniffing the ground.
“Aww. Isn’t it adorable, Lachlan?” She rubbed her thumb to her forefinger, clicking her tongue, enticing the creature to approach. “Come here, you cutie.” Her voice changed like a mother cooing for a baby.
Beth became the adorable one. She must love animals. He pulled out his cell and took a few photos of her with the Quokka.
Wally moved to the other two animals a few feet away, taking several shots too. One straightened on its hind legs, and wiped its front paws several times. The Quokka smiled at the camera. Lachlan blinked and looked again. It was smiling or that was how its mouth appeared. Amazing little critters. No wonder people came from all over the world to see them.
Beth angled her head and squinted up at Lachlan. “Come down here. Get a selfie with a Quokka.”
He hitched up his shorts and squatted next to Beth. Holding out his phone, he tried to angle it so he could get her and the Quokka in the frame with him. Beth adjusted and slapped on a big smile and snuggled next to him. Where had the Quokka disappeared to? There. He angled again, but it just wouldn’t work.
“Beth, can you move your head under my chin. Then I can fit all of us.”
Without hesitation, she placed her head on his chest. He half laid on the asphalt, leaning on his forearm with one knee bent. The Quokka popped its head up in the background, raising its nose in the air as if to say, “What the heck are these people doing, and where’s the food the lady promised?”
“Cheese!” Beth gritted out a smile.
Lachlan laughed, his chest making her head bounce.
“Stay still, you.” She patted his chest. “Take another one. I blinked that time.”
Beth’s hair smelled like coconut and sunshine. His arm went limp, totally distracted by her closeness.
She grabbed his phone. “Let me.” The screen whirled in her hand until she found the perfect frame. At a forty-five-degree angle, she snapped away, changing her expression with each shot. He kept on grinning. Nothing could rub the smile off his face. Except—
“Don’t you two look cute together.” Wally towered over them, blocking the sun. “Nice and cozy, Counselor Peters. Good thing you’re out of uniform.”
Beth scrambled upright and placed her hand on her hip. “Waldo, you dork.” She glanced over her shoulder. “You scared the Quokka away.”
“Stop calling me Waldo.” His tone had a whine to it.
“Well, stop acting like a cartoon character—popping up everywhere, unexpectedly.”
Lachlan bellowed a laugh. “Come on, you two. Knock it off.” He stood and dusted the sand from his shorts.
“She started it.” Wally played the annoying teen well.
Beth gave him a sisterly whack on the shoulder. “No, he did.” She giggled in the most endearing way.
The Quokkas had scattered under a nearby bush. The other tourists huddled around, taking over the scene.
“That, my dear fellows, is the famous Australian Quokka,” Beth said with pride.
“The one I filmed had a joey in its pouch.” Wally held out his phone screen.
“Did not!” Beth tippy-toed, and her eyes widened. “Oh, so cute.”
Lachlan smiled. “You’ve turned into mush over these animals.”
“Now you can see why I want to help them.”
As the next bus approached, Beth rushed her words. “Delay the bus if you can. I’ll be one sec. I wanna zoom in and get a shot of the baby Quokka.” Her ponytail flicked as she ran to the bushes.
Wally shook his head. “She’s something else.”
Lachlan smiled, agreeing. Unique. Sweet. A delight to be around.
They took their time boarding the bus, and sure enough, Beth dashed over just before the doors closed, and jumped onto the metal steps with a thud, huffing away. “Thank you,” she gasped to the driver. He grunted and rolled his eyes.
Back upon the cushioned seats, Beth unfolded her map to a chorus of crinkles. Wally peered over from behind her.
She pointed to stop ten. “Let’s get off at Little Salmon Bay. You guys can go for a snorkel.”
Wally squeezed Beth’s shoulder. “You need to have some fun too. You said you brought your gear.”
Lachlan eyed Wally’s hand, lasering holes in it.
“I am a bit hot after flustering over the Quokkas in the sun.” She folded the map. “There’s an ice cream truck too. That should cool me down.”
Beth stood causing Wally’s hand to drop. “I’m going to chat with the driver. Back soon.”
BETH
Once at the front of the bus, Beth cleared her throat. “It’s a terrible thing about the sick Quokkas. You must be devastated as a local.”
The weathered faced driver glanced over his shoulder. “A shame, all right. Not enough effort has gone into solving the problem.” His voice croaked, sounding like he’d smoked all his life. He veered the bus around a windy road. “They’re cute and all, but if the Quokkas go, there’d be hardly any tourists. The island’s welfare depends on them.”
Beth shifted her weight on her feet, bracing the pole. “So, who’d want to ruin the livelihood of the Islanders?”
The man’s head snapped back, and he scrunched his forehead. “You think someone is killing them on purpose?”
Her throat dried. Could it be true that she’d missed the mark? “Um. It’s a possibility. The pollution excuse doesn’t make sense.”
“Mmmm.” He remained silent as he lowered gears to climb a hill. “Developers wanted to lease from the government. There were hot debates a few months ago. Then it fizzled. But that isn't an excuse to pay out on the innocent Quokkas. I can’t believe that for a moment.”
Beth bit her bottom lip. How to dig for more information? “Developers? They’d make a lot of money transforming the island with fancy hotels and whatnot. Those yellow shacks are outdated.”
He huffed in response. “Adds character, I reckon. The original buildings hold history. Visit the museum. The island once ran as a boys’ reformatory in the eighteen-eighties. A thirteen-year-old who stole cake would get three months confinement.” He shook his head. “Imagine the faces of kids today when the school groups visit. They don’t know how good they’ve got it.”
The view had changed to turquoise patches of water with several fishing boats anchored. Foaming waves crashed against large rocks covered in coral. Seagulls and shags perched on a reef. The island embraced wildlife and tourists alike.
“What if rumors leaked that the Quokkas were diseased? Would the lack of tourism give the government reason to sign the lease to gain returns?”
He gave a strange look of disbelief. “You must watch too many investigator movies. Who’d be so heartless to drive the Quokkas into extinction all for a quick buck?”
“Greedy developers, that’s who.”
The driver shrugged. “I hope you’re wrong.”
Beth whispered. “I hope so too.”
She left the driver to focus on his job and made her way to a spare seat in front of Lachlan. Wally had moved to the back row of seats. Good.
“You were talking to the driver for a while.” Lachlan swung his arm over the steel rail between them. “Any leads?”
She tucked her leg under the other and leaned against the window. “Maybe.” Beth gazed into his amber-brown eyes, needing encouragement. “I suggested the developers who were refused leasing rights may be inciting trouble to affect tourism. The government would change their minds and sign contracts. The driver thinks I’m crazy.”
Lachlan touched her arm. “You’re not. You’re a smart woman. A determined one.” He retracted his hand. “I think you’re onto something.”
“How am I going to find out more?”
“First, you need to ask the locals if they know the names of the developers. And if any of their representatives are still on the island.”
She nodded. “Mmm.”