Jack & Harry by Tony McKenna Page B

fighting back tears and felt a lump begin to choke in his own throat. ‘Do you want to go back home, Harry?’ His voice was croaky when he asked the question.
    Harry looked him in the eye and straightened his shoulders as the train whistle blew, signalling its departure. ‘Can’t ever go home, Jack, not ever, you know that?’ There was a catch in his voice. ‘There’s no turnin’ back.’
    â€˜You’re right, Harry, there is no turnin’ back so let’s make a pact never to get homesick again.’ They shook hands solemnly and leaped onto the train.

Chapter Five
    It was six o’clock on Wednesday morning. Jack Ferguson had driven through the night after getting a message from his manager and telephoning Alice to be told the news that Jack and Harry were missing.
    He held his wife gently, caressing her hair as she sobbed against his chest.
    â€˜There, there, Alice, settle down, dear. I’m here now and we’ll find the little buggers. Can’t believe they’d do this, so there must be a very good reason and a simple explanation. They can’t have gone too far as they haven’t got any money, so they’ll be in the city somewhere with one of their mates, no doubt.’ Jack wasn’t to know that some five hours earlier, as he was driving through the night and had stopped at a level crossing in Merredin to wait for the ‘Kalgoorlie Miner’ to pass, that his son and Harry were fast asleep in their carriage, just feet from the bonnet of his car.

    As the train grunted and wheezed through the Avon Valley, the boys watched the sun set, then had tea in the dining car. They had both selected roast beef and vegetables that were served with rich dark gravy followed by apple pie and icecream washed down by a large glass of lemonade.
    â€˜This is the life, Harry, eh?’ They had returned to their compartment in the second class carriage toward the rear of the train and Jack stretched out on the comfortably upholstered bench seat.
    â€˜Yep! Really livin’, Jack.’ Harry sat opposite him. Both had window seats as the train wasn’t carrying many passengers that day and they had the compartment to themselves. They were pleased at this stroke of luck as they didn’t have to talk to anyone or explain why they were on a train travelling to Kalgoorlie alone without adult company.
    â€˜We’ll each of us write a note to our parents from Kal, Harry, don’t ya think? Let ’em know we’re all right.’
    â€˜Good idea. That’ll stop ’em worryin’ but we won’t tell ’em where we’re headed but.’
    â€˜No way! We’ll just say we’re off to make our fortunes.’ Jack laughed and Harry joined in.
    Much brighter in spirits now as the journey on the train had gotten off to such a good start, they were not to know that the luxury of the night on the train was something they should have savoured more. There were many nights to come when they would wish for the comfort and security of the rocking train.
    With the excitement of the day, thoughts of what lay ahead and full bellies, they were soon fast asleep serenaded by the ‘clackety clack, clackety clack’ of the wheels as the ‘Miner’ steamed on into the night toward Kalgoorlie and adventure.

    The train hissed to a wheezing stop and the screech of brakes woke Jack. ‘Harry?’ He gave the sleeping form a nudge. ‘Wake up, Harry, we’ve stopped somewhere.’ He stared out of the window trying to see where they were.
    Harry was quickly awake and at his side. They depressed the metal catch at each side of the window and pushed it up to open it. Harry put his head out and could read the sign on the station building. ‘Some place called Southern Cross.’
    Just then he saw a figure amble toward their carriage door. ‘Quick, Jack, some bloke’s headin’ to our carriage.’ They slammed