One of the camp assistants unlocked another gate at the back of the property and we filed through, Ms Anderson taking the lead, the class following and Mr Meredith and another assistant at the rear. Charlotte and I stayed towards the back. Aiden walked by himself a few metres ahead of us, glancing over his shoulder from time to time. I gave him a hard stare when he’d done this about ten times and after that he didn’t check on me quite so much.

The walk was wonderful. None of us really got out into nature very much and although our garden at home was very big and secure, it wasn’t quite the same as being in what seemed to us a wilderness. Mr Meredith would occasionally point out certain types of trees as we passed them. He even had a go at identifying birds from their calls alone, and we spied a couple of raptors circling over us at one point, which was very exciting. I kept an eye out for snakes, but Mr M assured me that the chances of stumbling across one were remote. That didn’t stop me looking, though.

The lake wasn’t really a lake, more of a waterhole, but it was beautiful, with shades of green and blue reflecting from the water. At the far end there was a rock face that rose straight up and a waterfall splashed from about ten metres over our heads, providing a natural shower, thousands of droplets dimpling the surface and rainbows pulsing into and out of existence. The whole class stood still for a couple of seconds and then we were all frantically getting our pants or dresses off. The teachers tried to tell us something about the depth of the water and to take care, but no one was listening. About ten of us hit the water at the same time and the cold made us gasp. It was a delicious change from the humidity and there was much whooping and shouting as the rest of the class joined us. Probably because I live in a house with a pool, I was the first to make it to the far end and I floated on my back, letting the waterfall pound my face. Aiden joined me a few moments later and we lay, head to head, blinking through the downpour into an impossibly blue sky. I laughed, but that turned to spluttering as I discovered it’s not a good idea to open your mouth under a waterfall. Then a whole bunch of kids turned up and that put an end to the floating.

We spent three hours in that waterhole and I reckon we could’ve spent at least three more, but Mr Meredith and Ms Anderson made us get out and dry ourselves off before the walk back.

‘I know, I know,’ said Mr Meredith as we all protested and pleaded for some extra time. ‘But we have to get back, get showered and get ready for dinner.’ He put a finger to his chin. ‘Or do you not want a barbecue tonight? No sizzling soy sausages and fried onions and veggieburgers and toasted marshmallows for dessert? Well, if you’re sure that’s what you want. Or rather, what you don’t want …’