THE RIVER 

By Tessa Harvey


    Within ten minutes, Elizabeth had driven down a narrow dirt track leading to a minor road. Carefully she edged down the Harpers' driveway hidden by scores of trees. She knew they were away. As soon as she parked, Blue woke up. Her large deep blue eyes looked afraid - she twisted strands of her white-blond hair, and began to cry. "Come, there's no time," Elizabeth ordered peremptorily. They left the car, Elizabeth hefting a large black rubbish bag over her shoulder, shining the torch as little as possible.
    Leaving the last trees behind, they crossed the narrow road, opened a small gate and slithered down a grassy slope. Below them was Riverbend, where the swift river flowed, leaving a large deep semi-circle. All sorts of driftwood tangled there, a floating mat in the calm water.
    They flicked the torch over the debris systematically, hardly daring to hope. "There," cried Blue, "Joe is just there!" Tears of relief.
    "Anchor me," asked her aunt. "Hold tight, Blue," and the young girl held the woman's legs as she reached out for the dazed boy. The hook she held kept slipping, but she persevered. Finally the woman slipped off her boots and waded towards the boy, first handing the bag and torch to the child.
    "Focus, Amy," she said using her given name, "keep the light low and centred. We cannot fail." She saw the young man was sliding away, sodden, overwhelmed and possibly injured.

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