The Butterfly and Other Stories

By Val Niemann

My idea for this book was to create something for all the family to share. I have included something for all ages, and I hope children and parents will be able to talk together about which bit they like best. Most of all it should be fun for all the family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris AU
• Release date: Jul 12, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483667164

Val Niemann

I was born in 1980,I married my husband in 1958, and we have two children, three adult grand-children, and two teenage(going on thirty)grand-children. I began writing as soon as I learnt how to write words, and I have never stopped. I love doing all water sports, especially snorkeling. I am passionate about wildlife and conserving the diversity of species, and I like making music. We have lived and travelled all over Australia and New Zealand, and I draw most of my material from that;and my own active sense of humor.

Book preview

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THE BUTTERFLY

Kirsty raced along the footpath dodging in and out to avoid colliding with other pedestrians. Her coat tails and frizzy red hair trailed out behind her as she ran, clutching her overnight bag in one hand, and her ticket and purse in the other. Gasping for breath she turned into the railway station. Just as she glanced up at the overhead clock, an omnipotent voice echoed through the building.

The train for Alice Springs is now leaving. Please stand back.

Shit! breathed Kirsty as she pounded down the platform.

Just seconds before the train began to move off; a steward hauled her aboard and closed the door behind her.

"Cuttin’ it a bit fine aren’t you miss,’ he grinned.

"Yes, and thank you,’ she gasped as she waited for her heart to stop thumping against her ribs to overcome its greed for oxygen. The steward attended to her ticket, then picked up her bag.

Just follow me and we’ll find your seat, then you can relax and get your breath back, he said. Kirsty followed him through the train until they came to the second carriage from the front.

Here we are, right by that window, said the steward. Do you want to take anything out of your bag before I put it up?

No thanks, she replied. Everything I need is in my purse.

Well just press the bell if you need anything.

Kirsty settled into her seat and leaned her head back against the headrest. Through drowsy eyes she watched as the built up built up area of Port Augusta thinned out and gradually dissolved into countryside.

The clack of the wheels over the rails combined with the warmth of the red setting sun shining through the window, had a mesmerizing effect, and Kirsty felt herself slowly slipping into a comfortable sleep. It seemed that she had hardly closed her eyes when she became aware of movement in the carriage. As her drowsy eyelids lifted, she discovered that a young man had taken the seat opposite her. Kirsty found herself looking into a most disturbing pair of brown eyes.

Sorry, I tried not to wake you, the man smiled ruefully, but I’m not too good at wandering around in moving trains. The fact is I nearly fell on top of you. Now that would have been a rude shock."

"That’s ok. I was only dozing, she answered as she returned her gaze back to the window. Kirsty was quite sure that the train had not stopped since it had left Port Augusta, because that would certainly have woken her. This young man had taken his time finding his seat, she thought.

Ever been to the Alice before? his voice broke into her thoughts.

No. First time. She answered.

Great place, he said. I was born and bred there. Been away a while though and I’m rearin’ to get back. I can’t stay away from her for long.

Sounds good, murmured Kirsty. Laying her head back against the headrest again, and closing her eyes as if to sleep. There was something decidedly unsettling about this young bloke, but she was unable to pinpoint exactly what it was. It was just a gut feeling. Kirsty opened her eyes a fraction and watched him through her lashes. He had black wavy hair, smooth dark skin, and his aboriginal genes were very evident in his round nose. It was a good face, but what was it about those eyes? She felt that they could look right into her soul and discover that she was running away to make a new start. Her