Opal Dream

The story begins with Kellyanne Williamson, a young girl who indulges in her vivid imagination. She often engages with her beloved invisible friends, Pobby and Dingan, which brings her joy and solace.

The Williamson family moves to Coober Pedy, known as the opal capital of Australia, as Rex, the father, dreams of striking it rich through opal mining. The family, consisting of Anne, Ashmol, and Kellyanne, hopes for a better future in this new environment.

Rex's attempts at opal mining are met with disappointment, yielding nothing but dust. Despite the challenges, he remains hopeful for a breakthrough, which creates tension between him and his family.

As Rex delves deeper into his mining pursuits, Ashmol grows increasingly frustrated with Kellyanne's conversations with her imaginary friends. His distress is fueled by the ridicule they face from others in town, adding to the family's emotional turmoil.

In an effort to help Kellyanne move on, Rex and Anne take her to a Christmas party, hoping to distract her from Pobby and Dingan. Rex assures Kellyanne's imaginary friends that they will join him on his mining adventures later.

Kellyanne discovers that Pobby and Dingan have mysteriously disappeared, leaving her devastated. Heartbroken, she attempts to join Rex and Ashmol in the mines but is met with rejection, forcing her to seek comfort alone in the vastness of the mine.

The family's misadventure at a neighboring mining claim leads to chaos as miner Sid accuses Rex of wrongdoing. The confrontation escalates, resulting in Sid brandishing a shotgun and summoning the police, igniting media attention that jeopardizes Rex's situation.

As Kellyanne's sorrow intensifies over the loss of her imaginary friends, her health begins to deteriorate. Medical professionals struggle to diagnose her condition, raising concerns among her family about the severity of her emotional distress.

Skeptical of his sister’s illness, Ashmol embarks on a quest to find Pobby and Dingan. He plaster posters around town in a desperate attempt to locate them, illustrating his determination to help Kellyanne.

During his search, Ashmol discovers a hidden opal deep within the mine, which he gifts to Kellyanne as a sign of his efforts. However, despite the gesture, Kellyanne spirals deeper into despair when Ashmol heartbreakingly confirms that her friends are gone.

Kellyanne's condition worsens, prompting her admission to the hospital. Just when her family is beginning to lose hope, Ashmol forges a new friendship with a supportive lawyer assisting Rex in his legal battles.

As the family's unity shines through adversity, Rex ultimately triumphs in his trial thanks to the steadfast support of his family. Their collective love and resilience serve as a source of strength during this tumultuous time.

In the aftermath of Kellyanne's struggles, the townsfolk begin to reflect on their treatment of her family. They question their past actions and the impact it had on Kellyanne's well-being, leading to a collective moment of introspection.

During the poignant funeral for Pobby and Dingan, the townsfolk gather to pay their respects. Kellyanne, despite her ongoing struggles, finds a moment of peace as she throws lollipops onto their graves, symbolizing her love and remembrance.

In a heart-breaking turn of events, Kellyanne’s health finally deteriorates, and she passes away. Her death deeply affects Ashmol, who finds solace at her grave, while Rex begins to heal and reclaims his mining claim, allowing Ashmol to join him on expeditions.