narratorAUSTRALIA Volume Three

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  Kate raised her pounding head from the pillow and groaned. The ringing of the phone by her bed sounded like a series of high-pitched shrieks.

  Turning awkwardly onto her side, she fumbled for the phone.

  ‘Yes,’ she croaked weakly.

  Geoff’s voice sounded hoarse.

  ‘Katie, I’ve been trying to get you on your mobile. We have a bad situation here at the plant. The water has been deliberately contaminated. We’ve cut it off now, but listen, throw out that water in the fridge. It’s poisoned. Tell Tara.’

  She sat up painfully. ‘What! What are you saying? Poisoned?’

  ‘Katie, I have to go. Turn on the television quick – the PM’s on.’

  Shaking her befuddled head, Kate pressed the remote. The solemn face of the Prime Minister appeared on the screen.

  ‘… a monstrous attack on a vital facility. Emergency measures have immediately been put into place. The water supply has been temporarily shut down. Engineers at the plant, together with scientists from the CSIRO, are treating and disinfecting the water. We are sourcing supplies of clean water to be shipped in and this water will be available to the community free of charge until the water supply is decontaminated and restored.’

  This was followed by a barrage of frenzied questions from reporters.

  ‘Prime Minister, what exactly has been found in the water?’

  The Prime Minister turned and placed her hand on the arm of the man standing by her side. It was one of Geoff’s senior colleagues from the plant. At a nod from the Prime Minister he spoke directly to the camera.

  ‘We have detected quantities of an industrial pesticide and also of arsenic and cyanide which –’

  The Prime Minister took over as a wave of shocked murmurings and loud exclamations erupted from the assembled journalists.

  ‘All hospitals in the city have implemented their emergency response plans and −’

  ‘Prime Minister, is this an attack by a terrorist organisation?’

  ‘Has anyone claimed responsibility?’

  ‘Have other cities been targeted?’

  The enormity of it all suddenly descended on Kate. She let out a scream which hurt her throat.

  ‘Luce!’ Her hand trembled as she picked up the phone.

  Then nausea overwhelmed her. She leant over the side of the bed and vomited. Gingerly she raised her hot and throbbing head.

  It was then she noticed the rigid body of Moe stretched out near the ensuite door. His mouth was contorted into an uncharacteristic snarl. His paws seemed to reach out to Kate for comfort.