Geoffrey explained what Faye had told him at the river.

Diane looked at the ranger. “What do we do?”

“I’ll radio the office.” He looked at Geoffrey. “Come, meneer. Sit with me while I make the call. You can clarify if necessary.”

Geoffrey nodded and held out his hand. They shook. “Thank you. I’m Geoffrey.”

“Simon. Come.”

The radio call to the office was quick. There wasn’t a great deal of information to impart. It was agreed a helicopter rescue would be necessary. Geoffrey was relieved and wanted to ask how soon it would be there, but didn’t. It was clear from the conversation that all parties accepted it was an emergency. Geoffrey did, however, ask Simon when the radio was silent.

“It’s hard to say. It depends on where the helicopter has to come from,” he replied.

Geoffrey felt his chest tighten. “You don’t have one in the park?”

“Not a rescue helicopter, no.”

“But—”

“It’ll come from one of the hospitals in the area. With medics. There’s a procedure. It’ll happen as fast as it can. I’ll check in with them in an hour or so if we don’t hear more. We should get going.”

Diane put a hand on Geoffrey’s shoulder from the seat behind. He didn’t notice.

“Where? Where are we going? Can we try and get to her?” he asked.

Simon started the engine and drove forward. “No. I’m sorry. That’s not possible. Not today. Perhaps tomorrow. We can fetch your friend, though.”

Derek. Geoffrey had forgotten about him. He turned to Bruce and Diane. “Where are Bev and Helen? Where did you stay last night?”

Bruce leaned forward. “We walked all the way to the main offices. Arrived late in the evening. They gave us a room there. Bev and Helen are still there.”

“But it’s impossible to get to Heuningbos? By road, I mean?”

“Yes. One of the bridges was washed away,” said Bruce. “The flooding was unlike anything they’ve seen in years . . . particularly at this time of the year.”

He glance down. Geoffrey noticed Diane looking at her husband, as if expecting him to say more, but Bruce was quiet.

She turned and looked at Geoffrey. “The park officials were shocked to see us. They thought we’d still be at Heuningbos Hut with our supplies, stranded for a few days but not in any danger.”

“Huh? Why would they think that?”

“Because they told Derek before we left we should stay there if the weather looked dodgy in any way.”

“What?”

Diane clenched her jaws and nodded. “Yes. He knew. They warned him about possible flooding in the catchment area . . . how dangerous it could be.”