Susan blinked at her. ‘I’m sorry?’
But Frankie wouldn’t say any more. As we led Magpie back across the clearing to join the others, Frankie remained silent.
As soon as Frankie was settled in the cabin, I went off to find a first-aider. She needed painkillers and antiseptic cream for her scratches. As I passed the area with the picnic tables, I noticed a small crowd of around a dozen people gathered in a circle. At the centre, I realised, were David and Connie, surrounded by their adoring fans. I walked straight past. I wanted to talk to them, but now was not the right time.
I found Greg in reception. I swear I saw a flash of fear in his eyes – trepidation, at least – as I approached the desk. Perhaps he thought I might threaten to sue. The A/C was ramped up so it was almost chilly in the building, but Greg was still sweating.
‘I’m so sorry,’ he said, wringing his hands. ‘Is Frankie okay?’
‘She’ll live,’ I said. ‘She’s tough.’
If you’d asked me that morning if Frankie was tough, I wouldn’t have been sure how to answer. Was she? But she’d got over the incident with the ants pretty quickly and I’d been impressed by how she’d acted since the pony had thrown her. Walking back to our cabin, she’d told me several times not to make a fuss, and she’d refused to answer when I asked her what she’d meant when she said ‘It was a warning’， telling me to forget she’d said it.
‘You’re very lucky,’ Greg said.
‘What do you mean?’
‘She strikes me as a very capable, confident girl. A real credit to you.’
I looked at him. When had he formed this opinion of my daughter?
Seeing my confusion, he said, ‘She was here yesterday. Has her water bottle showed up yet?’
‘Sorry?’
‘Her whatchamacallit . . . Hydro Flask? Is that it? She came here to check our lost and found box. Has it showed up?’
‘No, I don’t think so.’ I didn’t want him to think he knew something I didn’t. ‘Are you going to talk to someone about the hunters? In the woods?’
‘Hunters?’
‘I assume that’s who was out there with a gun.’
‘Oh, yes, of course. I’ll deal with it.’ He paused. ‘Let me give you a couple of vouchers for the ice cream kiosk.’
I took the vouchers, the antiseptic cream and a box of Advil, and left.
I went back as quickly as I could, but was stopped in my tracks as I passed the cabin next to ours, where Donna and Tamara were staying. They were pulling up in their car, a red four-by-four, and Tamara waved at me as they got out.
‘Been anywhere nice?’ I called as I went past.
‘Huh, not really. We had to go in search of a drugstore.’
I stopped walking. ‘Oh. Everything’s okay, I hope?’
‘It will be.’
Donna stood on the other side of the car. She looked a little grey, like she was sick or in pain, and her forehead was creased with worry.
‘We just have to avoid any excitement for a couple of days,’ Tamara said.
Donna scowled. ‘I’m sure you threw them away by accident.’ She looked at me. ‘She’s always doing things like that. Tidying up. Not noticing what she’s throwing out.’
Tamara gave an indulgent but weary smile. ‘Come on, let’s get you inside.’
They went in. What was all that about? I didn’t have the mental space to try to solve any more puzzles, so I shrugged and moved on.
When I reached our cabin I found Frankie standing by the door.
‘What are you doing?’ I asked.
‘I’m going to see Ryan.’
‘But . . .’ I held up the antiseptic cream and Advil. ‘I brought you these.’
‘I told you, Dad. I’m fine, okay? And I need to see Ryan.’
She moved past me towards the door.
‘Is he your boyfriend?’
She winced. ‘Oh, please.’
‘Sorry. I mean, it’s fine if . . .’ I trailed off. This was one of the disadvantages of us living apart. I had no experience in this area. No idea what to say. Though maybe, probably, almost certainly, I would have been just as clueless if we did still live in the same house.
She huffed, ‘Can I go?’
‘Wait. Did you lose your Hydro Flask?’
‘I . . . How did you find out?’
‘Greg told me.’
‘Ew. Weird Greg.’
I fought to keep my face straight. ‘What makes you say that?’