The Secret of Sinbad's Cave

  Chapter 2

  For Sale

  Nat couldn’t believe what she was hearing. They’d only just arrived for the school holidays, and now this had to be the worst day of her life.

  ‘The farm goes on the market next week,’ said Mike. He lifted his hands for a moment, then dropped them on his knees. ‘It hasn’t made any money for a long time.’ Beside Nat on the couch, her sister Kathleen shifted uncomfortably. On the other side, her older brother Jack was absolutely still. ‘The bank’s had enough. There’s nothing more we can do.’

  ‘What if we sold some stock?’ asked Nat.

  Mike shook his head. ‘The price is rock bottom. It wouldn’t even make a dent.’

  ‘Could we sell a bit of land?’

  ‘No-one wants it Nat. It’s almost worthless.’

  ‘It’s not worthless!’ she shouted. Tears formed in her eyes, but she blinked them back. ‘It’s our home.’

  ‘Not for much longer,’ said Mike. He rubbed his temples. ‘You’ll live with your mother full time in town. I’ll stay up here in the shearer’s cottage and help out.’

  ‘But the farm is part of us,’ protested Nat. ‘Who are we without it?’

  Her father looked away. ‘You’ll have to decide that by yourselves.’

  ‘Great-grandpa wouldn’t be happy,’ muttered Jack.

  ‘Thank you, I’m quite aware of what he’d think,’ snapped Mike. ‘But it’s a modern world, and we have to move with it.’

  ‘Can we have some last adventures?’ asked Kathleen.

  Nat put her arm around her sister. With her blue eyes and flaxen auburn hair, Kathleen looked like a little doll. In comparison, Nat’s curls were a halfway sandy brown and constantly escaped. And her eyes were green, just like Jack’s. But she and her sister did have the same spattering of freckles across their cheeks.

  Mike sighed. ‘Of course you can. These are your last two weeks up here – ever. This is your chance to farewell all of your favourite places.’

  ‘I’m going to climb all the hills to see the view one last time,’ said Nat.

  ‘Me too,’ said Kathleen.

  ‘Now look,’ said Mike. He jabbed his finger in the air. ‘You heard what the doctor said about Kathleen. Her legs haven’t totally healed. She has to be careful. So Nat – are you listening?’

  Nat rolled her eyes. She knew what was coming.

  ‘You are in charge of your sister. I am holding you responsible for anything that happens to her. Last time – ’

  ‘It wasn’t my fault she followed me!’ protested Nat.

  ‘You were ten metres up that tree. She’s nine years old, for goodness’ sake.’

  ‘Nine and a half,’ corrected Kathleen.

  ‘Anyway,’ said Mike. ‘Two bad breaks. I’d say that was partly your fault.’ Father and oldest daughter glared at each other. ‘Keep an eye on her. If anything happens, you’ll be the one in trouble.’

  Nat stood up. ‘I’m going for a ride,’ she said. ‘Alone.’

  ‘That’s the other thing,’ said her father. ‘We have to sell the horses.’

  Kathleen whimpered. Nat sat down with a thump.

  ‘The land in town is too expensive to keep them,’ said Mike.

  ‘Even for a pony like Sundance?’ asked Kathleen.

  ‘Even for a pony,’ said Mike. ‘I’m sorry girls.’

  Nat felt as if she’d had the wind whacked out of her. She gasped for air. Staggering to the front door, she burst outside, and gulped in huge lungfuls. Mike followed her.

  ‘I know it’s tough,’ he said. ‘But we’ll get through somehow.’ He watched Nat until she was breathing normally again, then climbed onto the quad bike. ‘I’m off to the back barn to start clearing it out,’ he said. ‘I’ll be back this afternoon to finish the roof repairs – I don’t want anyone on the ladder while I’m gone.’ He whistled to the dogs and drove up the driveway.

  Nat slumped onto the steps, let her hair free, and sunk her head into her hands. All of a sudden, there didn’t seem to be a point to anything anymore. She looked down the valley and sighed. The green hills tumbled towards the village below. The sky was clear with wisps of cloud, as if it’d been scrubbed so hard the colour had come off. Despite everything, it was a perfect morning for a ride. She pulled her unruly curls into a bun and went back inside.

  Jack was on the computer already, playing Endure and Prevail, his favourite game. All Nat could see was his tall, skinny frame folded under the desk, and his mop of brown curls hovering in front of the screen. Kathleen had disappeared. Nat pocketed two apples, one for herself, and one for her horse, Plato.

  The chestnut stallion was waiting for her, his head hanging over the gate. He sniffed out her treats as soon as she approached.

  ‘Hello mate – I missed you,’ she said. Plato stamped his feet. ‘I bet no-one’s come to say hello.’ Nat didn’t want to think about losing him. Plato had been her best friend since her Mum and Dad divorced.

  They headed up the valley into the heart of Uenuku Station. Mike’s family had cleared the land generations ago and farmed it ever since. The property straddled a major fault-line; steep mudstone faces swept down to the river and on the other side the land rose in limestone bowls.

  After cantering through the top paddocks, they galloped all the way home. Nat was brushing down Plato when she heard a yell.

  ‘Kathleen! Get down from there!’

  Strange, she thought. That was Jack. He never left the computer once he started a game. Something wasn’t right.

  Nat ran along the path towards the house. Jack was outside, looking up. Nat followed his gaze and her stomach leapt into her throat. Kathleen had climbed the ladder and was standing on the roof. She had Mike’s binoculars around her neck.

  ‘What are you doing?’ yelled Nat.

  ‘I’m saying goodbye one last time,’ called Kathleen.

  ‘I’ll come up,’ said Nat. ‘I’ll help you get down.’

  ‘I don’t want to come down,’ said Kathleen.

  Nat looked at Jack. ‘I’m dead meat,’ she said. ‘One slip, and Kathleen’s a goner.’

  ‘Better move fast,’ said Jack. ‘You’re responsible for her every move.’

  ‘Please help?’ asked Nat. ‘Go round the back, try and talk her down.’

  ‘She’s not going to listen,’ said Jack. ‘She’s as stubborn as you.’

  ‘Hey Nat!’ called Kathleen. ‘The view is amazing from up here! I can almost see the mountains. If I jump I think I can!’

  ‘No!’ yelled Nat.

  ‘Be careful!’ bellowed Jack.

  ‘Here goes,’ called Kathleen. She bent her knees and jumped. Nat watched, terrified, as her sister landed neatly on the roof. Then she jumped again. As she came down there was an almighty crack. A great plume of dust erupted, and Kathleen disappeared.