Forest Secrets by David Laing Page B

should like to get back to my bed. It has been a long day and I have my book to read, and please, when you leave, kindly take that …’ He jerked a thumb in the direction of the possum, who was still sitting on the bed finishing off the last of the chocolate, ‘… that beast with you.’
    Trying not to giggle too much, we shooed the possum outside and then, watching him disappear into the night, I remarked to Snook that he still hadn’t taken any wildlife pictures.
    â€™Nah, I haven’t, but seein’ the look on Blowhard’s face when he saw the wicked little possum sittin’ up in bed eatin’ ’is chocolate made it all worthwhile. Yeah, Charlie the possum sure made my day. That’s one cheeky possum that Charlie fella. I like ’im. So does Shadow.
    Did you see the way they wuz lookin’ at each other?’
    Chuckling, I said that I did. I also said that I liked Charlie too. We crossed over the bridge and headed back towards camp. It was time to pack up and think about heading for home although there was no real rush. Snook’s parents would be still at the pictures.

Chapter 22
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    I n the meantime, after leaving Jars and Snook at the camp earlier, Gloria’s father had driven back to Cray Bay. After dropping Quinton off and then Gloria, without going inside himself, he drove straight to the Shady Rest Nursing Home in Queenstown, a little over half an hour’s drive. He wanted to have another chat with the Coopers. He wanted to ask them what the colour of Aaron’s hair was and whether he owned a ring that he might have been wearing. Depending on the outcome of that, he’d have to make a decision – whether the vision or image … or whatever it was that the Kellys had seen, actually was an image of Aaron, or whether it was just a coincidence that the two boys were so much alike. He had to find out.
    At the nursing home, after announcing himself to a rather startled receptionist – it was after normal consulting hours – he made his way to the common room where some of the residents were sitting in easy chairs, talking, drinking tea and coffee, or watching television. Although his visit could have been construed as an unusual one because of the odd hour, none of the residents seemed to be too worried. The Coopers certainly weren’t when he walked up and sat down next to them. ‘Hello again,’ he said. ‘My apologies for disturbing you, but if you don’t mind, there are a couple of things I’d like to clear up. They concern your son, Aaron.’
    At the mention of their boy’s name, Harry and Marge Cooper sat up as straight as their old bodies would let them. The doctor had their full attention.
    Being careful not to sound too hopeful or too over-the-top, Doctor Huntingdale asked about Aaron’s hair colour. Noticing the looks of surprise on the Coopers’ faces, he immediately started to apologise. ‘I’m sorry; you must think my question insane. It’s just that some new …’ He searched his brain for a suitable word. ‘… information has come to light that may help clear up the mystery of your son’s disappearance. That is …’
    Harry Cooper interrupted him. ‘Look doctor, as you know, Marge and I have been living with the pain of our loss for a long time now. I hope you’re not about to give us any false hope.’ Patting his wife’s knee as though comforting her, he said, ‘We’ve had too much of that already – from the police, from journalists and there was even a madam someone or other who claimed she was a medium. She couldn’t find our son, and neither could any of the others. It was a bit like when that young girl – Lucy Kemp was her name – disappeared some years before Aaron went missing; no one could find her either. But since you’ve brought it up, Aaron had black hair … jet black, in