Searching for Daphne Cooper

By Lawrence J. Marr

Set in outback Queensland, Australia, this fast paced book takes you through the relationship between Billy Swan and Daphne (Daffy) Cooper and the results of Daffy's lust for wandering. Covering the vast open spaces of part of Australia this is a 'must read' for all who enjoy adventure.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Sep 24, 2008
• ISBN: 9781467021265

Lawrence J. Marr

Born in Alnwick, Northumberland, England, Lawrence has lived in Western Australia for the past forty two years. Now retired, his love of writing and painting occupies most of his time when not enjoying family life.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE 

Billy Swan was standing on a ladder working on servicing his twin engine Cherokee aircraft. The sun shone hot on his shoulders as he glanced north towards the range of hills overlooking Mount Isa airport. A commercial flight was just setting down on the runway. It was just after midday and Billy had been working on the aircraft for almost four hours. He owned a small air charter business flying out of central Queensland. Most of his charters were regular postal runs for the government and occasional private flights for mining and exploration companies ferrying workers in and out of camp sites throughout the northern area of Australia. Billy was pushing forty and was always in good physical condition. He had never married but lived with his long time girlfriend Daphne Cooper. They had known each other since childhood and were well known around the town by the miners and residents. Daphne was not a bright person but had a likeable personality and a cheerful attitude. She was known as ‘Daffy’ due to her penchant for partying hard on Saturday nights down at the local miner’s club. Billy had frequent occasion to complain of her familiarity with other patrons of the club which had resulted in a number of fist fights.

That’ll be Frankie, back from Rockhampton, Billy muttered out loud, as he watched his second plane, a six seat Beechcraft, approach from the north. Frankie was a pilot employed to make the regular runs and carry a limited number of passengers when required. Swan Air Charters was a well established company which had been flying for over twenty years. Billy had struggled through bad times and had gradually built up a reputation for good, reliable service. He regularly serviced his three aircraft to make sure that they were in excellent condition at all times. He had become a well known figure in and around Mt Isa. He was a small man, only about five foot five inches tall, thin but muscular, he was tanned and always wore a short sleeve shirt and shorts. Only on special occasions such as meetings with potential customers and weddings, would he dress in what he called his best suit.

How’s things? Frankie had parked his craft next to the hanger and walked over to where Billy was working.

Pretty good, I’m just finishing this service and then I reckon I’ve earned a cup of tea. Can you pick up some parts from Brisbane tomorrow?

No worries. I’ll be off by six o’clock. Did you get the flight plan?

Yes, it’s in the office with Marg and all approved by flight control. I’m doing a run for the OK Mining Company tomorrow, so I’ll see you after I get back about two o’clock.

Watch out for the ant hills; they were pretty dangerous last time I was out there. Frankie and Billy enjoyed the joke, knowing that the ant hills really were little to laugh about. Frankie headed off to the hanger to complete his post flight check and Billy closed the engine cowling, climbed off the ladder and up the steps into the cockpit. He was intent on making sure the engine was running smoothly and ready for the trip the next day. The engine fired into life at the first touch of the starter button, and Billy ran it for about fifteen minutes ensuring that it was running smoothly. Climbing out of the cockpit and folding the ladder, he walked over to the office situated at the side of the hanger, carrying the step ladder over one shoulder. Propping the ladder against the side wall next to the office door he entered the office wiping the sweat off his brow with the back of his hand.

Hi boss, Daffy called to say she is on her way to her sister’s at Rockhampton. Marg looked over her glasses as Billy came through the door. Marg had worked for Billy for about nine years. She had seen the business expand from one single engine aircraft to the most reputable charter business in Queensland. She was in her mid thirties and married to a mining engineer. The business revolved around Marg and everyone realised that she covered all Billy’s paperwork and made sure that the administration was always on track.

Thanks Marg. Have you got the flight plan for Frankie and did Daffy say how long she was going to be away for?

She didn’t say, but had her small travel case with her. She caught the early bus at six o’clock, so she should reach Rockhampton before midday.

If she isn’t back by Wednesday, I’ll have to go and get her. Hope she doesn’t disappear again.

One of these days she won’t turn up.

Yeah, I know. I’ll call her sister and make sure she turns up later.

I’ll get you a cup of tea. Marg was always practical when she knew Billy was getting stressed. Daffy had a reputation of going walkabout without telling anyone, least of all Billy. She would always turn up again after a day or two, without explanation as to where she’d been or who she had been with. Billy on his part was used to her antics, and realised she had a wild streak which he could never curb. She was usually at her sister’s house in Rockhampton and Billy could rely on Liz to keep an eye on his partner.

Billy sat at his desk and enjoyed a cup of tea. He very rarely referred to his diary for up coming bookings as he had his finger on the pulse of all activities at all times. Working out when he would have any spare time off he concluded that Friday would afford him the chance to travel to Rockhampton to pick up Daffy, should she still be at her sister’s house. Reaching for the phone he dialled Liz’s number and sat back in his chair waiting for a response. It didn’t take long for Liz to pick up the phone; Hello.

Hello Liz, has Daffy arrived?

Yes Billy, she arrived about an hour ago, dropped off her things and headed straight back out again. She said she was going to do some shopping but you know what she’s like; she’ll get back whenever she feels like it.

Was she in one of her funny moods?

Who knows? Maybe she has gone walkabout again. One of these days she won’t come back at all.

Just tell her I called, and I’ll pick her up on Friday morning to bring her back to Isa. If she disappears; can you let me know?

Okay Billy, I’ll call later and let you know if she comes back here. Liz hung up and Billy sat staring at the handset before resting it gently on the cradle.

By the time Thursday evening arrived, Billy had not heard from either Daffy or Liz. He rang Liz again and found that she had seen Daffy that morning but only for a short while.

.

What’s going on Liz?

Who knows? You know what she’s like. Better come over if you want to find out.

Find out? What do you mean?

I’m not saying any more. She treats you real bad Billy.

Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow morning. Billy hung up the phone just as Marg entered his office.

I’m going over to Rockhampton in the morning. Can you prepare a flight schedule? I’ll take the small plane.

Let me know when you’ll be back. I’ll hold the fort but I need to know if you can do the run to Alice Springs on Saturday morning?

Yes Marg, I’ll call you but I should be back by late Friday afternoon. Billy hung up the phone and sat quietly trying to work out his next move. Daffy had certainly gone walkabout and not for the first time. He was getting used to her disappearances but this time he had a bad feeling that something could have happened to her which could place her in danger. Many times he had helped her through periods of depression but the feeling in his mind was one of foreboding and something unexplainably foreign to past dimensions. He had always taken responsibility for her welfare, and deep down he knew that his love for her, propelled him to go and get her to come back to him.

By seven o’clock the next morning he had the single engine Cherokee in the air heading south by south east, and almost half way to Rockhampton. The morning was clear of any clouds and the sun was just rising ahead of him, streaking the brightening sky with a pink and orange hue. He dropped his sun glasses off his forehead and over his eyes as the sun broke through. His flight plan took him slightly south of Rockhampton so that he did not have to contend with direct sunlight as he approached the familiar landing strip. After checking into ground control, and parking the craft on the apron in front of the maintenance warehouse, he called for a taxi to take him over to Liz’s house on the south side of town. The journey took only thirty minutes and he paid off the cab driver as he swung his knapsack over his shoulder, turning into the neat garden surrounding Liz’s house.

The house was nothing special; a typical ‘Queenslander’ built on wooden stumps which lifted the whole structure off the ground, thereby allowing an air flow under the house to help keep it cool in the hot summer months. The walls were wooden planked and the roof corrugated iron. Billy climbed the wooden steps leading to the front door, knocked hard on the door with his knuckles making sure Liz could hear him, if by chance she happened to be out the back. The door opened almost before he had finished knocking.

I saw you coming, Bill. Come on in, I have the kettle on and a sandwich ready for you. She smiled as Billy