Shadow of the Mountain Read Online Free

— you know some of them from the trip to Pinion Bluff.’
    She glanced quickly around as she trailed him across the floor.
    ‘The club sessions tend to focus on the more technical aspects . You might enjoy it,’ Keith added, raising an eyebrow.
    He broke them into teams, allocated tasks, and circulated between the groups, encouraging, chastising and badgering them into giving their best. He was good, there was no doubt about it, and Geneva found herself swinging between liking and loathing him as he alternated praise with criticism. She knew she shouldn’t be so vulnerable to either, but Keith had a way of making you want to do well.
    He’d grouped her with Angus and a couple of girls she hadn’t met before, both of them older. There was no sign of Simon. By the time the hour and a half session was over, her shoulders and thighs were aching, her hair was damp with sweat, and she had a revitalised appreciation of the muscles around her ribcage. Keith had worked their group hard, maybe harder than the others.
    She checked her observation with Angus as he handed hera cup of water from the cooler.
    ‘He likes to get the most out of everyone,’ he agreed, flopping into one of the striped canvas chairs that were tucked into an alcove. ‘It’s good though. I’ve learnt heaps in the last year.’
    Geneva nodded.
    ‘You seem more confident today,’ Angus said. ‘Especially the way you handled that overhang. That was great.’
    ‘Yeah, and falling off the last wall — that wasn’t.’
    ‘You were just tired. Seriously, though, have you been practising in secret?’
    She shook her head. ‘It’s coming back to me a bit, that’s all. It’s a while since I’ve done much climbing.’
    ‘How come?’
    Geneva shrugged and looked away. ‘Just busy. You know.’
    Angus took the hint. ‘Are you at Bledisloe?’
    ‘St Andrew’s.’
    ‘That’s miles away! You biked over?’
    Geneva nodded. ‘It’s not that far.’
    Angus let out a breath through his teeth. ‘I don’t think I could hack it.’
    ‘Is this a private conversation or can anyone join?’ Tink asked, a green and silver eye winking from her navel as she flexed her arms and shoulders.
    ‘Feel free,’ Angus said, waving towards a vacant chair.
    ‘How’d you find the session?’ Tink asked.
    Angus yawned and stretched his arms, leaving the question to Geneva. ‘Hard. It was good though,’ she replied, surprising herself.
    ‘Geneva biked over from Waimana,’ Angus announced.
    Tink looked surprised. ‘You live over there? There’s anindoor wall at the Harbour Centre — not that we want to lose you,’ she added.
    ‘We don’t live in Waimana — we’re kind of in between, so it’s not that much further to come here,’ she said, not quite truthfully.
    ‘Lifestyle block or farm?’ Tink asked.
    ‘Farm,’ Geneva answered. ‘That’s why I couldn’t make it last week — it’s a busy time of year.’
    ‘Getting close to lambing, I guess.’ Tink nodded. ‘I grew up on a farm too.’
    ‘Umm,’ Geneva acknowledged. Actually, it was years since she’d helped out.
    ‘I can’t say I miss it,’ Tink added.
    ‘I’ve always lived in town,’ Angus offered, reclaiming a place in the conversation. ‘Do you cycle to school as well?’
    ‘Yeah. Actually, I should get going. I haven’t got any lights.’ Geneva glanced at her watch.
    ‘Which side of Waimana?’ Tink asked.
    ‘Inland — Argyle. It’s about half an hour out, towards the Highway Twelve junction.’
    ‘Yeah, I know it. If you don’t mind waiting half an hour, I can take you as far as Matawai.’
    ‘Thanks, but I’ve got some stuff to pick up on the way. I’ll be fine if I head off now.’
    Tink nodded. ‘Another time: the offer stands. I don’t mind running you home when it’s wet, or whatever.’
    She stood up and turned to Angus. ‘You’d better talk the girl into signing up, Gussy-boy. We could do with a bit of new talent. I think Keri’s keen, but I must have