They stayed locked together for several minutes, their heartbeats slowly returning to normal, the perspiration on their skin drying. Eventually Luc forced himself to withdraw from her and helped her from the vanity top.
“We’re going to have to hurry. Do you want to shower first?”
“There’s room for us both, isn’t there?” Belinda’s tone and flirtatious glance was a far cry from the woman he’d come face-to-face with in her hospital room.
“There is, but not time enough for what we’ll end up doing together.” He undid the side zipper on Belinda’s dress and tugged the garment off her body before turning her toward the shower with a gentle pat on her rear. “Go on.”
When they eventually met their guests in the front vestibule, Belinda warded off a sharp glare from Demi. Clearly she was far less than impressed about being kept waiting and didn’t hesitate to voice her disapproval.
“Just how long before the shops close? It’ll hardly be worth going soon.” Her voice was petulant, her eyes cloudy with irritation.
“Don’t be ridiculous, honey,” Hank placated her. “There’ll be plenty for you to see and buy. And why don’t you girls stay in Taupo for dinner—it’s on me. We’ll be fishing until dark. You two may as well stay out and have a bit of fun.”
After an hour in Demi’s company, Belinda was distinctly weary. It wasn’t that Demi was outright rude. But the constant niggles and comparative references to her time with Luc, at previous times and during this visit, told Belinda in no uncertain terms that despite what Luc thought, Demi was in no way “over him” just yet. And by the time Demi had turned her nose up yet again at another fashion boutique, Belinda began to despair of being able to keep her temper.
She was on the verge of suggesting they call their driver to take them back to the airfield for the chopper ride home when Demi’s eyes suddenly lit on a car rental office.
“Look,” she said, pointing. “They hire out luxury cars. Let’s ditch the shopping thing and go for a drive around the lake.”
“Are you sure you want to do that? It’d take a couple of hours to get around the whole lake, maybe longer,” Belinda said.
“Well, let’s head north then, what’s that place? Oh, yeah, Huka Falls. I heard there was a winery near there.”
Before Belinda could stop her, Demi was off across the street and in the office of the rental place. All she could do was sigh and follow her. Demi was pointing to the car she wanted in the catalogue and negotiating pickup from Tautara Estate tomorrow as Belinda walked in the door.
“I thought we could send the chopper back and drive home ourselves after visiting Huka Falls and the winery. The guys won’t be back until late, so it’s not as if they’ll miss us. Give me your phone and I’ll let the pilot know.”
Surprised, and a little uneasy at Demi’s plan, Belinda handed over her cell phone after pulling up the number of their pilot on the screen.
“There.” Demi snapped the phone shut. “All settled.”
Once the paperwork was complete the two women were taken out the back of the building to where the car had been brought round. Belinda eyed the low slung, blood-red Porsche with some trepidation.
“Are you sure you want this one?” she asked.
“Oh, yes, definitely. Only this one will do. It’s almost as flashy as Luc’s one was.” Demi gave her a piercing look. “You do still drive, don’t you?”
“Of course I do,” Belinda replied.
At least she thought she did. She’d always had her own car up in Auckland and assumed that that hadn’t changed during her time with Luc. But even so, a sense of dread trickled cold and slow down her spine. The fine hairs on her arms stood up against her skin, and she rubbed her arms to ward off the sudden chill that invaded her body.
Demi had already settled herself in the driver’s seat and had turned on the ignition before Belinda could force herself forward and into the car. She settled into the deep leather seat and clipped her seat belt on.
“Here.” Demi tossed a map on her lap. “You can navigate this section.”
Glad for something to do, anything that might distract her from the heavy ball of lead that had settled low in her stomach, Belinda studied the map and gave Demi instructions on how to head out of town. By the time they reached the winery, she’d almost convinced herself that her reaction back at the rental place was just part of the readjustment to normal life. She’d been out of circulation for some time. She’d incurred her head injury in a car accident. No wonder she’d been a little nervous. But Demi was a competent and confident driver, and Belinda had soon relaxed in her seat and enjoyed the countryside as it had swept by them.
The vineyard specialised in a boutique pinot noir, which Belinda really enjoyed. The French barrique-aged wine had a delightful flavour, and even though it was still a young wine she decided to have several cases sent to Tautara Estate to add to Luc’s cellar.
It was as they were relaxing over a latte at the adjacent restaurant that Belinda found herself back on full alert.
“I have to say I was surprised to find you and Luc still together when Hank and I arrived,” Demi commented as she swept sugar into her coffee and swirled it about with her spoon.
Belinda stiffened in her chair. Her hand arrested midway as she brought her cup to her lips. Without taking a sip of the fragrant coffee, she carefully set the cup back on its saucer.
“Why do you say that?” she replied cautiously.
“Well, because of the accident, of course. I’ve never understood Luc to be a particularly forgiving man. It just seemed out of character for him, is all.” Demi waved a hand airily. “Don’t let it bother you. Obviously, it doesn’t bother him.”
“What doesn’t bother him?”
“Well, you were there. Of course you know.”
“Actually, no, I don’t. I have gaps in my memory. Our accident is one.”
For some reason, probably self-preservation, Belinda didn’t want to admit to the other massive holes in her mind. She had the distinct feeling that Demi wouldn’t hesitate to use the knowledge to her advantage one way or another.
“I’ve heard that’s quite common after a knock on the head. Didn’t anyone tell you about it, then?”
“No. The doctors were emphatic that no one tell me what happened. I remember bits here and there, but not the whole picture. Yet.”
“Not even Luc? How interesting.”
Demi sat back in her chair and gave Belinda an assessing look. Whether she meant it to or not, it made Belinda very uncomfortable, and she wondered what would come next. It was a surprise when Demi did nothing more than turn the conversation back to her upcoming concert tomorrow evening. They lingered over a second coffee, then decided they should head back toward Taupo for a meal and then home. To Belinda’s mild relief, Demi automatically slid behind the wheel to drive back.
They took a short detour to the Huka Falls, where they joined a group of tourists who stood on the over bridge marvelling at the power of the water tumbling at a massive rate beneath their feet. The surge and force of the foaming white water left Belinda feeling a little shaky. Its channelled yet uncontrolled flow was not unlike how she felt in her world at present: guided by the canyon banks, carved out by an ancient eruption, and pushed at an incredible rate to a plummeting fall.
Her fingers gripped the railing in front of her so tight she could feel them burn, but despite that, couldn’t bring herself to let go. It was as if the physical act of letting go might actually tumble her over the edge and down through those canyon walls to plunge uncontrollably to an uncertain fate.
As the tourist group moved on to another viewing area, Belinda slowly peeled her hands from the railing.
“I think I’ll go and wait by the car, unless you’re ready to head off now?” she said as she started to walk off the bridge.
“Sure, we can head off now. Are you feeling okay? You’ve gone a bit pale.”
Solicitous words from Demi? If Belinda hadn’t felt so unbalanced right now she’d have laughed out loud.
“Just a bit of a headache, that’s all. Must have been the noise of all that water.”
Even as she brushed off the beginnings of another headache, Belinda knew it had nothing to do with the thunderous foaming mass of water. It was as if a dark shadow lingered in the back of her mind. A shadow that demanded acknowledgment. She shook her head slightly, as if she could dislodge the unsettling sensation, and reached in her bag for some painkillers.
She wished Luc was here with her. He would ground her. Make her feel safe and secure.
She would have laughed at herself if she could’ve summoned the energy. Only days ago she’d refused to leave the hospital with him and now she wanted to be with him more than anything else. She had to hold on to the fact that in another day they’d be alone again. Re-discovering their marriage together.
Her body warmed instantly at the thought, and she hugged the knowledge tightly to her that, while her mind refused to disclose much about their past, her body knew him. In itself that fact gave her a huge amount of security. Their physical union was a connection that could only have been forged, on her part at least, after building a great deal of trust and commitment. As far as she was concerned they couldn’t get home soon enough, but she knew she had a duty to perform, as hostess to her guest, and duty was something she took very seriously—no matter the cost.
They chose a hotel near the Taupo waterfront that boasted an award-winning restaurant with picturesque views across the lake. As they swept into the forecourt and a parking valet came forward Belinda was struck by the sense of familiarity the hotel evoked.
The look of shock, hastily disguised by a welcoming smile, on the face of the maître d’momentarily rattled her, but by the time they’d been seated she’d convinced herself she’d been overreacting. The headache that had begun earlier had been effectively dispatched by the tablets she’d taken and she perused her menu with enthusiasm.
“Would you like to see the wine list, madam?” The wine waiter interrupted.
Belinda looked up to Demi who took the proffered list with enthusiasm.
“You go ahead,” she said to Demi, “I’ll stick with mineral water for now.”
“Oh, good. You can drive back to the lodge then. And if you don’t remember the way I’ll navigate for you!”
Demi’s laugh had a harsh edge to it that Belinda didn’t like. She smiled back, but inside she was uncomfortable. By the time their entrees arrived, the other woman had worked her way through the better part of a bottle of wine and was laughing at the slightest thing. She barely touched her main meal, doing little more than push her rack of lamb about her plate.
When the maître d’ came by their table to check on their enjoyment of the meals, Belinda was surprised to see the man step away from their table then hesitate before turning back.
“Mrs. Tanner?” he asked.
Belinda started. He knew her by name?
“Yes, I’m Mrs Tanner.”
“I just wanted to say how relieved I am to see you’re fully recovered from your accident. And your husband—is he well again, too?”
“Yes, thank you. We’re both doing fine now.” Belinda took a sip of her mineral water before continuing. “May I ask you how you know us?”
The expression on the man’s face would have been laughable if he hadn’t looked quite so stricken.
“Mrs Tanner, don’t you remember? You had your wedding reception here.”
“We did? I’m sorry, there’s still so much I don’t remember before the accident.”
“I’m not surprised. We were all horrified when we heard the crash outside.”
“Outside?” Belinda’s blood chilled in her veins.
“Outside here?”
This was where it had all happened? How could she not have known, not have recognised the place as Demi had driven up into the forecourt?
“Yes, Mrs Tanner, straight after the reception. Are…are you all right, Mrs Tanner? I apologise if I’ve said anything I shouldn’t have. Can I get you anything else?”
“No, no. There’s nothing.” She forced back the numbing fog of shock to remember her duties as Demi’s hostess. “Unless there’s something else you’d like?”
Demi just gave her a peculiar look and shook her head.
“Well, if you don’t mind I think we’ll settle the bill and head back to Tautara.” Belinda tried to smile but her lips felt wooden, her face as if it was set in stone.
As they waited in the front portico of the hotel for the parking valet to bring the car around, the cell phone Manu had given her earlier started to trill. She’d no sooner flipped it open when she could hear Luc’s baritone.
“Where are you? Why did you send the chopper back?”
“Luc! How was the fishing?”
“Fine. We’ve just come back to the house. Where are you?”
“We’re at—” Belinda looked around and spied the name of the hotel in gold lettering over the front door. She told him the name only to be met with stony silence. “Luc? Are you still there?”
“Why are you there?”
“We stopped here for dinner. Demi thought it would be a good place.” She took a deep breath. “I didn’t know it was where we had our reception or…or the accident.”
“Are you okay? You sound shaky.”
Just then the valet drove their rental car onto the forecourt and swung it to a halt in front of the two women.
“Here, give me that.” Demi stepped forward and took the cell phone from Belinda’s suddenly nerveless fingers. “Luc, it’s Demi. Look, our car’s just been brought round so we’re on our way back.”
Belinda heard Luc’s voice resonate through the phone’s tiny speaker.
“Car? What car?”
“The car I hired when we sent the helicopter back. You should see it. It’s a Porsche Carrera, a lot like your old one, really.”
“Stay there, I’ll come and get you.”
“Get us? Don’t be silly. We’ll be fine. We should be back in about half an hour to forty minutes.”
“Demi—”
Demi snapped the phone closed and handed it back to Belinda with a smile.
“Men. They’re always trying to order us women about. It has its uses, but Luc always did overdo it. Come on, let’s head back.”
She slipped into the passenger seat and settled herself, giving the valet a smile as he closed her door. Belinda had no option but to get behind the wheel of the low-slung sports car.
Demi gave her a strange, almost challenging look as she clipped her seat belt.
“You have driven a stick shift before, haven’t you?”
“Yes, of course. But it was ages ago.”
Belinda swallowed against the bile that suddenly rose in her throat as she settled one hand on the steering wheel and rested the other on the gearshift. Her skin had turned cold and clammy and she wanted nothing better right now than to pull at her clothing, which suddenly stuck to her body as if she was bathed in perspiration. She could do this. She’d driven a car for years. But then, why was she suddenly, sickeningly, filled with dread?
She put in the clutch and selected first gear when the blinding shaft of pain hit behind her eyes. Her foot slid off the pedal and the car lurched away from the portico to stall ignominiously on the drive. A small frightened cry fought past her tightly pressed-together lips.
Belinda closed her eyes tight and pressed the heels of her palms against them as visceral visual memories blasted past the blocks of her mind. Pictures of her behind the wheel of a car similar to this one, except its paintwork was as dark as midnight—the lights of the forecourt gleaming on its pristine surface.
An overwhelming sense of fear mixed with anger and, yes, betrayal, made her breathing tighten in her chest. She’d been alone in the car and in the driver’s seat—her wedding dress, a foam of white organza in the leg bay. Tears blinded her eyes as she’d put the car in gear and applied her foot vigorously to the accelerator. Everything in her focused on only one thing—to get away.
Then suddenly, in front of her, Luc tore across her path. And she was too late. Too late to stop.
She relived again the horrified sob that wrenched from her throat as she’d swerved, the car slewing to the left as she tried unsuccessfully to avoid him. Then the terror as his body crumpled to the gravelled driveway before her as her ears were filled with a deafening crunch of metal and glass and everything went mercifully black.
“What the hell do you think you were doing?”
Luc’s furious voice penetrated the darkness, followed immediately by Hank’s protestation.
“Now quieten down, boy. It’s not Demi’s fault. Your wife shouldn’t have been behind the wheel of that car, and you know it.”
Belinda fought to raise her eyelids as the voices swirled around her.
“Yes, I do know it. That’s precisely why I’d arranged the helicopter and a driver for them in Taupo. Whose idea was it to hire the Porsche?”
“Mine, it was mine.” Demi’s voice was defensive.
“Someone had to do something. You weren’t prepared to do anything about her memory loss.”
“On instructions from her medical team. Instructions I made clear to you. You had no right to do what you did.”
“I thought she was faking it. That’s why I did it. For God’s sake, Luc, she nearly killed you, and you still brought her home!”
“That was my choice to make. She’s my wife.”
Belinda sensed a tension between Luc and Demi that threatened to boil over into a full-blown conflagration. She had to stop it, stop them.
“Luc?” Her voice was thready.
He was at her side immediately, his strong arm a secure comfort as it snaked around her shoulders, helping her as she struggled upright.
“What’s going on? Where are we?”
Belinda looked around the room. Nothing was familiar to her.
“We’re at the hospital, but I’m taking you home. You don’t need to stay here.”
“Please, take me home now.”
Luc had people move with a swiftness that saw them settled back at Tautara within the hour. She’d remained silent for the journey in the chopper and hadn’t protested when Luc had suggested she go straight to bed when they got back to the house.
“Will you be all right for a few minutes? There’s something I need to sort out, but I’ll be straight back.”
With a weary sigh Belinda leaned against the pillows he’d insisted on propping behind her. “Sure. I’m not going anywhere right now.”
As soon as he was gone, she closed her eyes and willed sleep to claim her. Anything would be easier than acknowledging the dreadful memories that now scarred her consciousness.
She’d been the source of the accident that had caused Luc’s injuries. She’d been the one to leave him permanently scarred and with a limp he had to live with for the rest of his life. Tears seeped out from beneath her closed lids, and her throat choked up with the enormity of what she’d done. No wonder she hadn’t wanted to remember something so dreadful.
But why had it happened? Why had she been behind the wheel of his car? Even now she could recall how desperate she’d felt, how desolate and determined she’d been to get away from what was supposed to have been the happiest day of her life. What could possibly have happened that was so bad that it had made her want to run away from the man she’d just pledged her love to in marriage?