A glimpse of something yellow caught her eye and moving closer she saw that a wellington boot was wedged between the ragged grey rocks. Bea’s heart began to pound even harder. She remembered seeing Lucas in a pair of bright yellow wellingtons when he came into The Little Blue Boathouse with his mother.
She bellowed back to Amy but she was too far away to hear. For a second, Bea considered going back to tell the others, but she was here now. Already drenched to the core, she decided to climb over the rocks. Pushing her wet hair from her face and without stopping to consider the consequences, she sat on a rock and, not daring to look down at the ferocious water, carefully lowered herself. She felt herself slipping, and though it was a long way down to the next rock, she had no choice but to launch herself over the edge. There was a possibility Lucas was down there.
‘Lucas, are you there? Its’s Bea from The Little Blue Boathouse. If you are there, please make a sign, shout to me.’
She looked down but couldn’t see anything or anyone, the rocks and rain blocking her view.
‘I’m here! Help!’
Bea sat still. Had she just heard a small voice or was it her mind playing tricks on her?
‘Lucas, is that you?’
Again, a small voice came from somewhere underneath her, but she couldn’t see him.
‘Stay where you are, I’m coming for you!’ Bea sounded braver than she felt. She guessed it was a few feet or so down to the rock below. Slowly turning herself over on her tummy, with her legs dangling in mid-air, she attempted to lower herself, but as her feet touched the wet rock below, she slipped. Her chin scraping the rock as she fell, she landed with a thud, turned her ankle and cried out in pain. The life jacket she was carrying slipped into the river.
Managing to crouch on her bum gave Bea a little relief from the throbbing pain in her ankle. Looking over at the next rock, she saw a wide-eyed, cold-looking Lucas staring back at her.
‘I’m okay, don’t worry. I’ve just twisted my ankle and my chin is hurting a little. Are you okay?’
Lucas nodded.
‘Do you remember me? I’m Bea. We met the other day when it was sunny. I prefer the sunshine. How about you?’
Lucas gave her a small smile and continued nodding.
‘Help is on its way. How did you get down here?’
‘I was looking for treasure but my wellie got stuck and I fell to here.’
‘Are you hurt?’
This time Lucas shook his head.
‘I’m going to try and crawl to you and then we have to sit tight until help comes.’
Dragging her throbbing ankle Bea managed to slowly crawl towards Lucas. Her chin was smarting too, the sharp pain coming and going. From the blood splattered on her coat, Bea thought it possible she might need stitches.
‘Bea!’
Her name was being shouted.
‘Bea! Where are you?’
There it was again.
‘Do you hear that? We’re going to be rescued very soon.’ Relieved, she smiled at Lucas and rested her arm around his shoulder as he snuggled in close to her.
‘We’re down here!’ she shouted back with all her might.
Hearing voices above her, Bea shouted again, as loud as she could. ‘Help! We’re stuck on the rocks. HELP! Lucas is here. Safe and well but I’ve hurt my ankle.’
‘Stay where you are. Do not move. We’re coming down to get you.’
Instantly, Bea’s pulse began to race faster. She recognised that voice.
It was Nolan.
