The Girls on the Ghan: The Abandoned Wives and Widows Club, #2

The Girls on the Ghan novella is the second book in a series of thrilling, heart-warming and sometimes laugh out loud Cosy Mystery novels, that relate the mad antics of a group of sixty-something New Zealand women as they delve into the darker side of life and murder.

The girls are storming Australia aboard one of the world’s famous trains, The Ghan Explorer. Luxury, incredible sights, good food and wine, but because the girls are there, mayhem and mystery are at the top of the menu – and maybe a little romance.

Chapter 1

‘M y goodness, what a long one,’ Gloria shrieked as we stood in the burning, Australian sun.’

‘Gloria!’ Sylv chided as she had a quick look round to see if anyone had heard. ‘We’re supposed to be posh on this train, remember? Platinum service? Private carriage?’

‘You have to admit she’s right,’ a male voice entered the conversation. ‘That’s the longest one I’ve ever seen,’ and he laughed.

‘Sure is,’ Gloria said. ‘And is the head of it, bright red or orange?’

He laughed again as he joined our group. ‘Hard to say. I’m Dave, by the way.’ he said looking at me.

‘Lydia,’ I said as I shook his proffered hand and then introduced the group. ‘Gloria, Sylv, Debbie and Kat.’ He shook each hand in turn.

‘Are you girls going all the way to Adelaide?’

‘We sure are,’ Gloria answered. ‘Always have to go all the way.’

‘Gloria!’ Sylv and Debbie shouted together.

Dave turned to me. ‘What about you Lydia?’

What was the matter with Gloria? She was always out there, yes, but ever since we stayed overnight at the wonderfully named town of Humpty Doo she had become at first morose and was now becoming more and more outrageous.

I held my hands up in surrender pose. ‘I’m not joining in this conversation other than to say we’re booked from Darwin to Adelaide and all stops in-between. Which part of the train are you booked into, Dave?’

‘Platinum. Like to splurge on holiday.’ He pointed a short way up the track. ‘I think Platinum’s in the first set of carriages. Glad I’m not in the far part of the Gold section. The end carriages aren’t in sight. Must be several minutes’ walk. I guess that’s why some people are getting on those electric cart, buggy, things.’

One went past, hooter blaring to warn us to keep out of its way.

Gloria dug me in the ribs and whispered. ‘See that? In that buggy. That’s the man we saw acting suspiciously in the Kakadu National Park and again in the bus going around the uranium mine.’

‘Gloria. You’re seeing problems where there are none. Lots of people do the same trip as us.’

‘Yes, but they don’t all spend more time looking at the papers in their briefcase and talking to other suspicious looking characters than looking at the scenery.’

‘Excuse me.’ A man, whose brown stockman’s hat and striped shirt marked him out as part of the train crew, interrupted us. ‘Are you the party in the Chairman’s Carriage?’

‘Sure are,’ Kat said.

‘The Chairman’s Carriage?’ Dave said. ‘You are pushing the boat out, ladies.’

‘Lydia’s treating us,’ Debbie said.

‘Wish I had a friend like that.’

The train employee spread his arms, attempting to herd us towards a buggy. ‘Come on, let me help you up and we’ll get you settled in ready for the off.’

We piled in and Dave joined us. We didn’t have to go far as our carriage was only a couple behind the huge engines which were throbbing, ready for the off.

As we disembarked the buggy the train employee said, ‘You’re in the first carriage beyond the platinum dining and bar facilities, sir. If you stay on board, Walt here, will have you at your berth in no time.’

‘See you at lunch,’ he called as he was whisked away.

Once aboard the girls were just like silly kids, darting in and out of the rooms and calling to each other. I wandered at a more leisurely pace but was equally impressed.

‘There’s an ensuite for every room,’ Sylv said, bumping into me as she flew out of the room I was about to enter.’

‘We have our own bar and drinks,’ Gloria yelled from somewhere further up the carriage.

Kat was in the sitting room I’d entered. ‘Where’s the beds?’ she asked.

‘Someone comes in while we’re at dinner and changes the easy chairs into a bed and makes it up.’

She flopped onto a chair and spread out. ‘I could live like this for ever. Whatever I want appears like magic.’

As if on cue the man who’d loaded us into the electric cart appeared at the doorway, a tray of drinks balanced elegantly on one hand. ‘Would you like juice or a wine. I also have champagne if you’d prefer it.’

Kat looked at him with longing in her eyes. ‘Can I please take you home with me?’

‘Kat! Behave!’ I told her.

The man was unfazed. ‘Sorry, Kat. My wife would not appreciate me taking off to . . . New Zealand, isn’t it?’ Kat nodded. ‘But until we get to Adelaide, I’m yours to command and fulfil your every need – well, most of them.’

I took an orange juice from the tray. ‘You seem to have met Kat. I’m Lydia. I think the other three are in the bar. I’m afraid we’re all no better than geriatric delinquents, or overaged teenagers most of the time.’

He smiled. ‘Great. We should have fun then. I’m Luke and in case you hadn’t guessed, I’ll be looking after you exclusively for the length of your trip. Anything you want I will attempt to find it for you. You might meet my partner in crime, Alice, who will help me with jobs that require two people.  When you’ve sorted out your arrangements let me know where to put the cases.’

‘Nice butt,’ Kat remarked when Luke had gone off in search of the others.

I decided to give up trying to be a controlling influence and joined in. ‘Very.’ I agreed.  ‘Shame he’s forty years too young and married.’

The train whistle blew and as I looked out of the window the scenery started to flow by. As we passed the station buildings, I saw a car screech to a halt in the car park. Two men bounded out, looked at the train and started to argue. They looked at the train in exasperation as we rolled past the car park and then they were out of sight. Had I seen those two before when we were getting off the Yellow River cruise? Maybe. But they were left behind now, so I went to join the others.

THIS PART OF THE NORTHERN Territory was wild and empty of humans. What trees there were obviously struggled to thrive in this dry, barren landscape. There was some scrub and scorched grass, very different from the luscious winter landscapes of New Zealand. It was the dry season here so maybe it looked more inviting in the wet.

The gentle rock of the train and the monotonous flow of scenery would have made it easy to quietly nod off, but Kat burst in and demanded I join the rest in the bar area where Luke had furnished us with snacks and more drinks. I was going to be leaving the train with an alcohol problem or even more rolls of fat – or both.

Shortly after, a disembodied voice announced that lunch was now being served so we made our way to the dining car. We could have it delivered but why miss the fun of other people? Luke was there to seat us but was obviously a little embarrassed by the fact that there were five of us and only four to a table, plus all the tables for two were already occupied. Added to that, it looked as though the car would be full.

He was starting to explain how we could do a three and two if we didn’t mind having strangers at our tables.

‘Won’t be strangers for more than a couple of minutes,’ Gloria said.

‘Better still,’ said a voice from behind me which I recognized to be Dave’s. You four sit on this table and I’ll keep Lydia company on the table behind you. I’m sure you girls can all catch up after lunch.’

I suddenly felt a little uncomfortable about his attentions and the thought of being alone with him, even if it was only one table away from the girls. I hadn’t known him for more than a couple of hours and here he was organizing us. Visions of my late, unlamented husband, Jack, flashed into my mind. I was not going to let another man rule my life – even