The Opal Desert by Di Morrissey Page B

before.
    â€˜How enterprising. Do you mine?’ said Kerrie.
    â€˜My partner did. We went our separate ways years ago, but I stayed on and taught at the school as a casual and now I volunteer here in the museum. There’re quite a few women like me in the Ridge. It’s a great place for a single woman. Lots of social life.’ She smiled. ‘And I just love the history of the area. There’re a lot of very interesting artists around here, too.’
    â€˜I’ve noticed. Do you live in town? I gather a lot of people have places out of town,’ said Kerrie. ‘It seems a bit rugged.’
    â€˜It can be. Some of the camps look pretty rough. Some people only come up here in the winter, for the opal season. Some of their temporary places have been here for thirty years,’ she laughed. ‘A couple of people converted a double-decker bus to a home and someone else made a very cute place out of disused railway carriages and even shipping containers. But that’s another story. Are you enjoying yourself? Thinking of doing some camping? Be sure and get out to some of the camps and mines. Know anyone here? I’m happy to make introductions if you like.’
    â€˜Actually Murray and Fiona are looking after me.’
    â€˜Lucky you. A great couple. Renews your faith in marriage, those two. Most people here are on their own or onto their second or third partner.’ Holly lifted an eyebrow. ‘You just can’t be too fussy. But I must say, under the opal dust, grime and working boots, some of the guys in the Ridge are decent enough and scrub up rather well.’
    â€˜I’m not actually looking . . .’
    â€˜Of course you’re not, I didn’t mean to be rude. You staying here long?’
    â€˜Not really. I’m thinking of taking up painting again.’
    â€˜You’re a painter! Lots of people come here and paint for the first time. I think they’re inspired by the scenery. Get Murray to take you to some of his secret locations – if you don’t mind roughing it.’
    â€˜He’s already volunteered to do that,’ Kerrie replied.
    Murray laughed when Kerrie later wandered into his gallery and told him what Holly had said. ‘They’re not secret places, they’re just in the middle of nowhere and to some people there doesn’t seem to be anything there but a lot of sand. And it is a bit remote, which is why I like it. I love our lost places – like the middle of the Birdsville Track, the Simpson Desert, outside Oodnadatta – quite haunting. Not that I’m taking you that far away.’
    â€˜He disappears for a month or more, sometimes by himself and sometimes with a mate,’ said Fiona. ‘I can’t be away for that long, someone has to run the business. But I enjoy his short trips. You’ll just love the bush. It’s magnificent.’
    Kerrie lifted her shoulders. ‘What can I say? It sounds very exciting. Can I help at all? What will I need to bring? You’re both so kind.’
    â€˜That’s our pleasure and we’ll travel light. Just take the truck and camping gear, some food, water and, of course, the painting equipment. That’ll do us,’ said Murray. ‘Let people know that you’ll be out of touch for a bit, and not to worry. We have a satellite phone for emergencies. Not that there’ll be any, of course.’ He smiled.
    â€˜No one’s going to worry if I don’t check in. I’m so excited. I hadn’t considered going bush. I thought this town and the opal fields would be as remote as I’d get. But I’m open to anything new right now.’ Kerrie suddenly felt lightheaded. It wasn’t the glass of wine that she’d had with her lunch but the idea of the possibilities, the adventures, and doing something utterly different from what she’d known. ‘I can’t wait for new horizons!’
    â€˜Since we’re not