To Kill a Bunyip

  ~~~~~

  Sunday in Null was a mixture of relaxation of residents and excitement of day-trippers who go to relax with activities in parks and fishing. Penny decided not to go to church with the family. Seeing Father Fred in person would create conflict in her if he asked to see the manuscript again. Penny decided to write the stories she had heard as a child and integrate them into what was happening around her. From complete failure as an author-in-waiting Penny concluded if she was do it, then it must be from her. Every person who wanted to write the book for her, she had to avoid that person. Penny walked along the foreshore. With her on their leashes were Charlie and Oscar. From Norman Point along the bike track all through to Crab Creek. When at Crab Creek, Penny took out her notebook and wrote out a full description of the area. Oscar and Charlie sat at her feet and also took in the layout. Oscar moved his paws as though he was scratching the dirt. Charlie sat upright by Penny and sent mind thoughts to her. Oscar and Charlie were becoming Penny’s muse. Charlie started to whimper and rose in his readiness to leave. Penny, deep in thought, closed her notebook, rose to her feet, and with the dogs returned to Norman Point. That day was Penny’s day of change. The north wind was blowing. From the time Penny and her dogs left Crab Creek the north wind increased from a gentle zephyr to a full gale. The wind was blowing from Kgari, down the Sandy Strait, hitting Null. Change was on its way for Penny and Null.

  The North Wind and change. . . in its various ways.

  The phone rang at the home of Patricia Overton, co-ordinator of the Seafood Festival.

  ‘Pat, sorry to contact you this early. Have you heard what happened last night,’ said Judy Hetherington.

  ‘Nah, nothing, go on tell me.’

  ‘A local prawn trawler skipper found an empty 4 metre fishing boat. It’s unregistered and police are trying to find the owner. The boat was floating down by the red beacon, the last channel marker, before the main inlet. They believe the owner of the boat is Greg, Father Fred’s friend. His car and boat trailer are at the boat ramp and the police can’t find him. The Coast Guard was asked to put out a message for any boats in the area to see if Greg is on another boat. Oh Pat, this is terrible with our festival only a short time away.’

  ‘Well if it is Greg who is missing and if he is dead he won’t be bothered now with our festival. Ok, let’s look at it again. Are you sure someone is missing. Nothing like this has happened here and nothing happens here in Null and it is so safe for fishermen.’

  ‘Not at night Pat. Fishing at night is dangerous everywhere. This happened during the night. Low tide was at 11pm and you know who was out showing Greg a low tide hole? Father Fred. Oh I hope they find Greg. His last wish was to be cremated and his ashes cast into the water on a run out tide. What if they don’t find him. His last wish would never happen.’

  ‘Judy, thanks for ringing but I do think it’s just someone panicking. Nothing ever happens in this sleepy place. I will see you later in the week at the office. Thanks for ringing.’

  ‘Well the police have taken it seriously. A neighbour said Greg drove out of his driveway a bit before midnight. An announcement on the radio spoke of the police taking it as serious and police divers are being sent from Brisbane. Apparently Greg had a dicky heart and he could have had a heart attack when leaning over the side of his boat to land a heavy fish.’