Chapter 98

JADE

Jade spent much of her final day on the farm preparing for her trek around Australia’s east coast.

By the time she returned from the store, having picked up food supplies, Susan had washed, dried and ironed all of her clothes and left them neatly pressed by her suitcase. Dan had taken the keys to Kevin’s truck and made sure the tyres were full of air, that a spare wheel was in the boot and that the oil, water, coolant and brake fluid were all topped up. He loaded the vehicle with seven two-litre bottles of water just in case of an emergency and gave Jade a spare phone charger in case she needed it. He made her promise to email them photos she’d take en route.

Before leaving, Jade took time out to visit Kevin’s grave and sat before the temporary wooden cross that’d been erected while they waited for a headstone to be fitted. If she closed her eyes and became mindful of her surroundings. She could feel Kevin in the breeze, and when she took a deep breath she could smell him in the flowers. He was in the trees and a part of every sunrise she’d ever wake up early to see. He’d always remain inside her, no matter where her journey took her.

She scrolled back through her phone, reliving the hundreds of conversations they’d had over the six months she’d known him before she came here. DNA Match or no DNA Match, she missed him terribly. There was no one else in the world who’d known her better than Kevin had.

Jade made her way back to the farmhouse where Susan and Dan were placing Tupperware boxes crammed full with sandwiches and salads in the rear passenger footwells.

‘Are you all set?’ Susan asked.

‘Pretty much.’

‘I’ve put a roadmap in the back with your route plotted out just in case technology lets you down,’ said Dan.

‘Thank you,’ Jade said, and leaned in to hug him.

‘No, thank you for everything,’ said Susan. ‘I know it’s not been easy, especially the last few week, but I’m glad we’re still friends.

Now promise me one more thing, will you?’

‘Of course, what is it?’

‘Promise me you’ll look after my boy.’

‘Mum, I’ll be fine.’ Mark smiled and kissed her on the cheek, before throwing his rucksack across the back seat.

‘I promise,’ Jade said. ‘Neither of us are leaving this family any time soon.’