| |
Bree spent all of the next day at the hospital while Jenny did everything else. She went on to the Internet and found both their personal sites where they had recorded copies of their documents. Next, she rang the United Kingdom High Commission. The receptionists there said they could issue them with temporary passports but they would need to visit the omission office in Wellington in person to confirm their identity. Their credit cards were more of a problem, for by the time replacements arrived from their banks in London, they'd be home again. Luckily, both she and Bree had travellers' cheques that could be replaced locally when they produced the serial numbers.
"Right, Pattie," Jenny said after she returned from the hospital to find the dog looking left out of everything. "You can come with me downtown, we'll get some money and go shopping." She found a little notebook and jotted items down as she spoke. "First of all we both need clothes, backpacks to put them in, more food..." She stopped and stared at the ceiling. "Of course...our travel insurance. I forgot. All of this will be covered. Now if I find the local agent..."
Ten minutes later, she was off with Pattie sitting beside her. She had no idea whether local laws allowed dogs to travel in the front seat but it didn't really worry her. The first bank she walked into directed her onto a second where her traveller's cheques were verified and new ones issued. She could change her own for local currency but Bree needed to sign personally for her ones. The woman behind the counter was friendly and helpful and even found the name of the company that would handle her travel insurance claim.
An hour later, she had visited several quite large stores and bought clothes for them both. Perhaps Bree's tastes were more conservative than her own was but they were a similar size so she bought what she liked before moving onto something for Bree.
"She'll need a dress suit," she muttered to herself but after checking out the prices decided modern slacks and a couple of blouses would have to do. She giggled and found some clothes she was sure Bree wouldn't like but Ray would.
Afterwards, she returned to the car to find Pattie fast asleep across the back seat, so she went to find a coffee bar. It was hot, almost thirty degrees. She'd have to think more in metric. Everything in New Zealand was metric. Oh well! Half an hour later she returned to the car to find Pattie sitting on the front seat waiting.
"God, it's hot, girl," she said. "Let's find somewhere cool where you can walk."
They reached a river on the edge of town with a walkway along the bank. Dogs and people seemed to be everywhere. Pattie ran around while Jenny found a shady bench to sit on and read the morning paper she'd bought.
"Damn," she muttered.
Their story was splashed all over the front page with a coloured photograph of her and Bree standing beside Ray's stretcher just after they climbed out from the helicopter. She read the article and found it was far more accurate than the television news. On page three, a diagram showed how their aeroplane crashed above the falls and even suggested the pilot was killed then not after the wreckage was carried on over the falls. Arrows were superimposed on a map to show their journey to Taylor's Mistake Hut and onto the slip face where their rescue took place.
Pattie returned, stuck her chin on Jenny's lap and gazed up with round eyes.
"Okay, girl, we go walking." Jenny said. "Afterwards, you can wait while I go to the supermarket for some more food, then it's home for us both."
She stood and followed Pattie along the path.
*
IN THE SURGICAL RECOVERY ward at the hospital, Ray woke to find Bree still sitting beside the bed. "So what happened to the conference?" he said.
"I missed it," Bree replied. "Everyone's gone home."
"When are you going back to England?"
"We have another week. Originally, Jenny and I were going to visit the South Island but now..." She stopped. "I suppose we still could."
"And why are you hesitant?" Ray replied.
"You," Bree gulped. "I don't want to leave and never see you again."
"Why?" the whispered question followed.
Bree stood and turned away. She was about to move further when Ray reached out, seized her wrist and pulled her in.
"Ray!" Bree protested but he was too powerful. She almost crashed across his bandaged stomach but responded when he kissed her. The kiss became passionate until Bree wriggled and pulled away. "Not here, Ray," she said. "It's not right."
"Why?"
"I've known you only a few days, I'm an overseas visitor and I'm married. Is that good enough for you?"
"No," Ray said and grabbed her wrist again.
Bree turned with tears in her eyes. Ray grimaced and let her go.
"It's happening too quickly, Ray. You're lonely. I'm lonely. Lonely people make mistakes."
"True," Ray said. "So I'm acting like a spotty skinned adolescent?"
"I didn't say that."
Ray seized both her hands but just held them. "Will you do something for me, Bree?" he asked.
"Possibly. What is it, Ray?"
"Leave me. Go for a long walk, two hours or more. Talk to Jenny; get your passport and money sorted out. If you decide to go south and finish your holidays, there is a commercial kennel you can place Pattie in. I've used them before. Their name is written at the front of my telephone book." He caught a tear that rolled down her cheek.
"And if I come back?"
"It will be because you want to come, not because you feel sorry for me." He let her hands go. "If you decide to leave, do it in the morning, not a week from now. Understand?"
"I think so," Bree replied. "Take care, Ray." She stood, straightened her crumpled green blouse, and walked out.
Ray watched the empty doorway long after Bree was out of sight. "Bugger," he muttered. "I stuffed that up well and truly."
Charge Nurse Richmond slipped in from the other side of a privacy screen. "She's a pleasant woman, Ray," she said. "I have a feeling she is more than just appreciative about being rescued."
"And what would you have done if you were me, Debbie?"
"I'm not a male, the ball is in her court now but I reckon she'll be back before ten tonight." She grinned. "Probably right at the end of visiting hours."
"Interesting," Ray whispered. "A woman's mind is the strangest thing. I thought she'd be back within those two hours or not at all."
"No, she'll wait, perhaps even until the morning but she'll be back." The nurse frowned. "I hope you're genuine though, Ray. I think she deserves that."
"I am," Ray whispered.
*
THE MAIN ROADS OF PALMERSTON North were built in a grid and stretched away to the distant sky. Beyond, another twenty-five kilometres away, was the ocean. In the opposite direction the distant ranges appeared as a cardboard cut-out against the cloudless sky. It was hot, and the heat reflected up from the footpath, so it was almost uncomfortable to walk upon. Bree didn't want to look at the ranges, so headed west towards the centre of the city.
Her mind played 'what if' as she walked. What would have happened if Ray had not found them above the wrecked aeroplane? Would they still be there, weak with hunger and exposure or would the official search team have found them? What would she now be thinking? What if her relationship with Colin hadn't broken down? There were questions by the score but no answers.
In almost a trance, Bree continued to walk. She crossed a main road at traffic lights and continued walking. A large, grassy park with a row of shady trees appeared across the road. Bree stepped out without checking for traffic.
The screech of brakes jolted her senses and she stepped back just in time, waited while a line of vehicles drove by, then walked over to the park. The grass smelled of the country and felt soft beneath her shoes. She reached the trees and glanced around. There was nobody around. She sat down and leaned against a tree. If she shut her eyes and ignored the traffic noise, she could be back in the bush. Perhaps this was what helped to make up her mind.
Bree stood and glanced at her watch. The two hours Ray suggested had gone. She clamped her lips tight and headed back. Five minutes later, she heard a toot and a small car pulled to the curb in front. A dog stared out the rear window.
"My God, Bree," Jenny yelled when Bree opened the passenger door. "I've been driving in circles for half an hour looking for you. Have you come to your senses yet?"
"What do you know about anything?" Bree said without attempting to climb into the car.
"Bree," Jenny snapped. "Get in, will you!"
Bree did but stared out the front window without even talking.
"Moody damn lot, both of you," Jenny said as she moved the car into the traffic.
"Both of us?"
"I went back to the hospital and Ray was like a bear with a sore head. I had to drag everything out of him."
Bree turned and gazed at her friend. "Thanks, Jenny," she whispered. "I'm lucky to have a friend like you."
"Yeah, I know. We're going home and you can put on the flash clothes I bought you. Then you can go and put Ray out of his misery. Right."
"You bought me some clothes?"
"Of course. You look positively revolting in those tacky things. You could give your hair a good brush, too."
"Oh, Jenny," Bree replied. "You're the limit." She smiled, turned and rubbed Pattie's ears. "Hi, girl,' she said. "Sorry I ignored you."
Somehow the long busy road looked more friendly now and the distant ranges positively inviting.
*
AFTER JENNY LEFT, THERE had been visitors all afternoon, but they were acquaintances from work that Ray had not known long. A departmental head arrived and told him his contract would be extended into the next year, and the surgeon said his operation was successful but he would not return to work for a while. His leg was taken from the sling and a nurse helped him into a chair beside the bed. She adjusted a pair of crutches to fit his long frame and asked if there was anything else she could do.
"I'd like some shaving gear, please." Ray replied.
The afternoon became evening and he became more despondent. The crutches were awkward and there was nowhere to walk anyway. He sat back in bed and grinned slightly when Debbie returned on duty and came to take his blood pressure and administer some medicine.
"What, no beard?" she said. "You'd better be careful or that young English woman won't recognize you when she returns."
"If she returns," Ray muttered.
"She will," the charge nurse said with a confidence Ray didn't feel.
*
"HELLO, RAY," SAID A soft voice. "I brought you some fruit."
Ray jerked awake and stared.
Bree was dressed in a modern sleeveless frock that only partly covered the cleavage of her breasts. Her hair shone and her lips had just a touch of pink lipstick. Two tiny birds bounced from golden chain earrings. There was a whiff of fragrance in the air.
"My God, Bree, you look wonderful," Ray whispered.
"Not cheap? Jenny bought the clothes and insisted I wear them. I'm usually more practical."
"Come here," Ray said.
Ray crushed Bree into his chest until it hurt but absorbed the feeling of a warm sensuous body next to his. His body reacted instantly but he did not care whether she noticed or not.
"You shaved your beard off," Bree whispered. She rubbed her lips across his cheek and kissed him again. "Did you have to?"
"No, but I don't need it any more."
"And your leg," Bree said after they had unravelled and she stood back. "How's the cast?"
"Okay," Ray said and caught her eyes again. "You're beautiful, Bree. Even with the sunburn, I..." He gulped. "I'm not very good at saying what I feel."
"You're doing okay, Ray. So, where do you want the fruit?"
"And your decision?"
"I'm here, Ray. Doesn't this answer your question?" She held her right hand out and Ray noticed a small circle of white skin where she'd removed a wedding ring. "I should have done it ages ago but had no real reason until now."
"And your South Island trip?"
"Cancelled," Bree whispered. "Oh, I tried to persuade Jenny to go but she's staying, too. I hope you don't mind."
"Me? Mind?" Ray laughed. "No, Bree, I don't mind. We need someone to entertain Pattie, don't we?"
He reached up again and tucked his arms around her. She buried her head in his chest and they both hung on, deep in thought but satisfied with the decisions made.
*