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‘Welcome, Maggie,’ Andrew corrected. ‘And then last but not least, I’m sure many of you are familiar with the work of Graysen Hughes, world-renowned landscape photographer.’

Graysen bit back the groan and felt like leaving; Sandra’s eyes were still on him.

‘So, chat amongst yourselves, get to know each other, and enjoy a taste of the cuisine you’ll be sampling over the next twelve days. We’re proud of our company, and with our luxury accommodation, top class meals, and private treks, we can guarantee you a five-star experience on your trek on the famous Larapinta Trail.’

Jodie came out with a tray of hot canapes, followed by a young waiter holding a tray of small plates and napkins. Soon everyone held a plate of food and a drink, and the mood relaxed. Graysen made the effort to go over to Paul and Cecily.

‘How are you enjoying the Red Centre so far?’ he asked, injecting brightness into his voice.

Paul grinned at him. ‘Wow, it’s awesome. We took a tour out to Hermannsburg to look at the indigenous art today. It was great.’

‘I’m very pleased to hear you’ve recovered,’ Cecily said. ‘We’ve checked out the west, and it’s obvious the trek’s not for the unfit or the fainthearted.’ She looked at Graysen and then past him to Sandra. ‘Do you think you’re fit enough to get to the end?’

He was about to answer, but Sandra beat him to it. ‘I’ve been training for three months, and I’m really excited. How about you, Cecily?’

‘I’m young and fit. I don’t need to train. Even though it looks very, very hard, it won’t be a problem.’

Graysen raised his eyebrows and took Sandra’s arm. ‘Let’s go meet the rest of our “team”.’

Miska was standing beside the bar; her dark hair and tanned skin gave her an exotic appearance. Her skin-tight black dress showed off a fit and lithe figure.

‘Where are you from, Miska?’ Sandra asked when there was a lull in the conversation.

Miska looked at her partner.

‘I’m from New York, but Mis and I have been living in London for a couple of years,’ Zed answered.

Miska leaned into him with a smile. ‘We’re on our honeymoon too.’

‘Congratulations,’ Sandra said. ‘Wow, two newly-married couples. Adventurous honeymoons.’

‘This is pretty tame for us.’ Zed put his arm around Miska, and Sandra thought how good they looked together. ‘We usually try to push ourselves. Eco-tents and hot showers is a bonus for us this trip.’

‘Paul and Cecily said you’ve been in Nepal, Graysen,’ Miska said. ‘We spent a few months there working in the villages after the earthquake.’

‘So newly married, but you’ve been together a long time?’ Sandra commented.

Miska smiled up at Zed. ‘We have. Nine years. Zed’s proposed about ten times, and I finally gave in. It’s only a piece of paper to me, but his family is pretty traditional.’

‘And we had a fabulous wedding in Tahiti.’

How the other half lives, Sandra thought. Dru had been her traveller, living in Dubai for a few years, but she’d settled in Darwin with Connor now.

The last couple, Clive and Jenny Clark from Sydney, came over from the bar and joined them, and Maggie followed them over. The three were closer to retirement age than the millennials in the group.

‘Hey, great to meet you all. Looks like a good group we’ve got here,’ Clive said.

‘Good to see some other “mature” walkers on the trek.’ Maggie’s voice was husky, and Graysen was aware of her checking him out over the rim of her champagne glass.

More food and drink appeared, and after a few minutes, Andrew invited them all to sit in the chairs grouped in front of a wide screen while he dimmed the lights.

‘This will save us time in the morning, team’—Graysen flinched every time he heard the word “team”. Usually a loner, he was starting to wonder if he’d make a very wrong choice. He pushed his doubt away. Once they were on the trail, he could set his own pace and only socialise with the group at mealtimes. He hadn’t chosen this trek to be sociable and make new acquaintances. Looking across at Maggie and Sandra, he wondered about the other two older women, and their motivation for doing the trek alone. Mrs Porter, Andrew had introduced Sandra. He wondered where Mr Porter was.

Graysen’s eyelids began to droop, and he closed his eyes as the safety briefing continued. He’d heard it all before in Nepal, and on many of his other treks. The grades of this walk might be classed as difficult on some sections, but it was a safe walk from what he’d seen on the topological maps. Graysen was more interested in the sunrises and sunsets and trying to capture the landscape in the ethereal light at certain times of the day. He lifted his hand to his mouth and covered the yawn that threatened as Andrew’s voice droned on, and was pleased when the lights came back on when the presentation finished.

There were a few general questions and he considered getting up and leaving but made himself sit there for a while. He’d been rude enough already.

‘If there’s no more questions, we’ll see you all in the morning in the foyer. Seven a.m. sharp. Sleep well.’ Andrew finally wound up the session.