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When Sasha suggested a day trip to the Blue Mountains, Alice was immediately wary.

‘I’m not great with heights,’ she warned.

Sasha smiled. ‘Good thing the mountains are famously low rise.’

She was thinking, too, of other things she tended to avoid when possible: the unfamiliar, spicy food, surprises. Alice wasn’t a fan of the unknown.

‘It’ll be worth it for the views,’ Sasha assured her. ‘And I’ll be with you all the way. Trust me — you won’t regret it.’

Alice wasn’t so sure. Things didn’t always go to plan. In her mind, it was best to be prepared, to minimise risk. Life was full of random incidents — natural disasters, distracted people — and everything could change in an instant.

Sasha insisted she had it all worked out: a day in the mountains with some walking and sightseeing. Nothing could go wrong. She texted the train departure time, and they met at Central Station in the pre dawn light. Alice brought a picnic lunch, including a few adventurous — for her — food choices. She was still getting to know Sasha, and it surprised her how quickly their friendship had formed. Perhaps it was their differences that drew them together.

The train that carried them into the mountains was almost full. Alice spotted several other passengers with backpacks and overheard snatches of conversation about epic walks and the best places for abseiling. She shuddered at the thought. As the train snaked upward, she tried not to panic at the increasing elevation.

Sasha followed her gaze. ‘Relax. I promise not to push you off anything before lunch.’

At Katoomba, they disembarked. Sasha insisted on coffee and a bite before they took a bus to Echo Point. As they approached the lookout, the iconic Three Sisters emerged from the rolling mist. Alice was speechless. Sasha urged her forward, but Alice dropped into a nearby bench seat, needing to be anchored to the earth to appreciate the magnificent view. Sasha went to the fence line, holding her arms out wide towards the Jamison Valley. Alice captured the moment in her mind, preserving the joy on her friend’s face.

‘It’s perfectly safe,’ Sasha assured her, joining Alice on the bench. ‘You’re gripping that seat like it might run away.’

Alice shook her head. ‘Sorry. I did warn you that I wasn’t good with heights.’

Sasha shrugged and offered suggestions for things they could do. Scenic World was touted but dismissed by Alice, who nearly passed out at the thought of the world’s steepest passenger railway.

‘All right,’ Sasha said. ‘No death defying railways. We’ll start with antiques and cake and work our way up.’

They explored the shops, and lunch in Blackheath Gardens was perfect. The day had cleared, the sunshine was warm, and there wasn’t a precipice in sight.

‘Before we head back, there’s one more stop.’ Sasha led Alice to a bus stop, and they were whisked down Govetts Leap Road. They passed the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre, meandering along the Fairfax Heritage walking track. Alice was delighted to spot wildflowers, birds, and lizards, though the gently sloping path made her frown.

Sasha noticed. ‘Still technically on the ground,’ she said. ‘I checked.’

Then the world expanded as the Grose Valley lay before them. Sasha talked of waterfalls and stunning views, but Alice dug in her heels.

‘I can’t, Sash. You go. I’ll wait here.’

Other people moved easily around the safety railings, oblivious to the risk of falling. Trees marched away to the horizon, and an overwhelming sense of her own insignificance tugged at Alice. She shuffled backwards, craving solid earth beneath her feet. But Sasha stayed beside her, one hand outstretched.

‘Do you trust me?’

Alice looked from Sasha’s hand to her face. ‘Yes.’

‘Please, come with me.’

They inched towards the — to Alice’s mind — inadequate barrier between them and the valley. She fixed her gaze on the toes of her walking boots, wondering if the tread was equal to the task. Sasha squeezed her hand.

Alice looked up, out over the ancient valley. Time, and her breath, seemed to stop. In her mind, she was flying over the edge, into an abyss. But the feeling inside her wasn’t the fear she expected, the plunge into a bottomless chasm.

To Alice’s amazement, all she felt was wonder.

This was written to a prompt at a local writing group.

Photo: View from Govett’s Leap, Blackheath, NSW