Page 107 of The Knitting Club at Wagtail Ridge

He was barely aware of Brian moving towards Sally, talking softly, until his voice took on a tighter tone. Matt looked up. Sally had backed away from Brian and was now standing close to the edge. Too close.

Still holding Vicki, he stood up, mind racing, searching for a way to help the woman.

Bree appeared at his side. She put a hand on his arm and he understood. He put Vicki on the ground.

‘Stay with Bree, honey. I need to help Granny.’

Bree’s hands fell to the girl’s shoulder and Matt forced himself to step away. But not towards Sally. Instead, he moved closer to the riverbank, downstream from the pool. If Sally fell …

He kept his eyes fixed on his mother-in-law. She had gone from looking angry to seeming confused. She looked at him, then at her husband.

‘… Brian?’

‘I’m here, my love. Everything will be all right. Just come to me.’ Brian held his hands out.

‘I don’t understand.’ She was glaring around her like an animal poised for flight. ‘No. No. You can’t take her away from me!’ She took a step back. ‘Where’s Kim? I want Kim.’

‘It’s time to come home with me, Sally. I’ll look after you. I’ll take care of everything.’

‘No.’ Sally turned as if looking for a place to run. Then she took one more step.

‘Granny!’ Vicki’s scream echoed around the clearing.

Sally’s foot slid and she teetered on the muddy edge of the bank, her hands reaching for something to steady herself, but there was nothing. Clumps of mud and grass at the edge of the bank gave way, falling into the churning water to be swept away by the current.

With a terrified scream, Sally followed them, sliding down the bank towards the torrent below.

Brian dived forward, reaching for her. His fingers caught hers and for a moment it looked like he would save her. But, almost in slow motion, Sally’s fingers slipped through his.

Brian’s cry of anguish was almost drowned by the splash as Sally hit the water.

Matt was already moving. He sprinted the last couple of metres to the riverbank and flung himself on the ground then slithered as far forward as he dared. He reached out, grasping for Sally. The water was starting to sweep her away but Matt lunged for her, grabbing her hand. As the water threatened to take them, Brian slid feet first down the bank. He stepped into the water, sinking immediately up to his thighs.

‘Sally! Sally!’

He reached out and Sally caught him with her free hand. Both men pulled with all their strength, scrambling backwards onto the bank. Sally’s grip on their hands became firmer as she came free of the water’s pull.

‘Come on, Sally. You can do it.’ Brian’s voice was edged with desperation and fear.

With a final surge of effort, Sally was out of the water. The three of them scrambled away from the edge to collapse on the muddy ground.

‘Granny!’ Vicki broke from Bree’s grasp and ran across the clearing to fling herself at her grandmother.

Sally struggled to a sitting position and, acting purely by instinct, put her arms around Vicki.

Breathing heavily from the effort, Matt also struggled into a sitting position. Beside him, Brian was still gasping for air. All three were soaked with cold water and covered with mud.

Sally was shaking. The wildness in her eyes faded and she looked around. ‘Brian? Matt?’

She looked down at the distraught child in her arms. Her hand flew to her mouth and she began to rock, loud sobs racking her body, which now seemed frail and weak.

In a heartbeat, Brian had his arms around her. He helped his wife from the ground and guided her away from the water to sit on a fallen tree.

Vicki sat next to her, her wide, frightened eyes never leaving her grandmother’s face.

‘Oh, what have I done? I am so sorry.’ Sally buried her face in her hands and her heart-wrenching sobs seemed about to tear her apart.

‘Don’t cry, Granny. Please don’t cry. I love you and I’ll look after you.’

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