Picnic at Overhanging Rock - the Sequel

Emma arranged for us all to attend a creative writing course at the local art gallery. It was at the end of a full day and I thought it was going to be too much but we had fun. I was enthused.

The next day we went for a picnic up the coast. Parked the car and walked along the cliff path. Red dust underfoot. The way was dry; quiet; eerie. The hot Australian sun beat down.

Sally and Emma climbed the hill, picnic basket in hand. The insects clicked their chorus; a solitary bird flew overhead. We  continued on; nothing happened.

We sat in the shadow of a rock and spread our feast. We ate languidly. The sun beat down but nothing else happened. We considered going for a swim but didn’t. Our watches stopped.

It was still twelve, midday. All was calm; time to go. Sally and Emma headed off along the path. I saw them leave and looked away.

I heard a rumble. A rock rolled down. It hit my head or I may have just dozed. When my gaze returned they were gone. I searched carefully staying clear of the edge. I could find no clue. It was a mystery.

The land where I searched was volcanic, pitted, inhospitable. A lizard stood statuesque on the path ahead. I saw huge tall wind turbines, turning slowly in the hot midday sun. Magnificent structures. I’m a fan.

A solitary wallaby stood next to a sign. It was as though they were both telling me something. But I didn’t know what. The wallaby disappeared. The sign stayed.

Then Sally and Emma appeared. The picnic basket was empty. They laughed. They thought that I just could not keep up. The innocents. The mystery had passed them by.

Then we drove home.

--- THE END ---

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