Some Days Are Like Diamonds

Next morning, in a hollow log, in Booderee National Park, the female funnel web spider is expecting her sister.

On a branch of a flowering acacia, Mr Bristlebird trills melodiously

In her ovoid nest on the ground, slightly uncomfortable, sits Mrs Bristlebird.

Under her, two dull eggs simply exist.

In the Visitor Centre, Ranger Rose checks the pest control roster.

On the road, Doctor Wallenius approaches in an ANU vehicle, with a specimen jar.

At the Cave Beach car park, Ray's ute stands motionless.

Inside the cabin, Katherine Hume sleeps soundly.

It is now half past nine.

........

Ray has gone back to the camp site to look for (and certainly not to spy on) Unni, his daughter.

Doris comes out of her tent in her nightie.

Seen my daughter? asks Ray?

No. You heading off? says Doris.

Back to the Visitor Centre, says Ray. Got a meeting with Doctor Wallenius. We may have discovered a new species of funnel web spider.

Why didn't you say so last night? says Doris. My boys would have loved it. Boys! Wakey-wakey!

Keanu and Beau tumble out of the tent.

Funnel web spiders, says Doris. Ray's found a new species. He's going to meet up with an Expert.

Atrax or Hadronyche? asks Keanu.

Little smart arse.

No, a biologist, says Ray.

Can we go with them and meet the biologist? asks Beau. Can we mum, can we?

Sweezus has been lying on the grass feeling seedy. But his wits kick in now.

More people, less focus on him.

Yeah, says Sweezus, can they? It'll be educational.

Educational, says Doris. Very good. And it will give me some time to myself. All right, get dressed boys. Eat something quickly.

Ray has walked off in the direction of the tent of Daz and Woppa.

Daz is slumped on the grass in front of the tent looking seedy.

Woppa is sanding his surfboard.

Unni is sitting on a camp chair reading Woppa's notes on the snake genome, and limb enhancers.

Coming? asks Ray.

Okay, says Unni. See you, guys!

See you, babe, says Woppa.

Too easy.

......

Half past ten. The ute pulls up outside the Visitor Centre.

The ANU vehicle is already there.

Don't worry, whispers Unni to Sweezus. It doesn't matter if this all goes pear-shaped. We'll just do our best.

Sweezus jumps down from the back of the ute.

Tom Wallenius, says Doctor Wallenius, holding his hand out. You must be Gaius's man. Let's not waste any time. Where's the nest of your funnel web spider?

Oh yeah well .....it's.... says Sweezus.

I take it you have the GPS coordinates, says Doctor Wallenius.

Rose comes out of the Visitor Centre.

I think we should have a cup of tea first, says Katherine.

Yes, come in for a cuppa, says Rose. Hi kids! Come in and see our new diamond python.

Morelia spilota, says Keanu. Wicked!

Morelia spilota spilota, says Beau, to be accurate.

Little smart arse.

Rose plugs in the kettle.