I t was the final week of Shelly’s time in London. Alec had shown her the sights and introduced her to his friends. The time had flown. To start the visit Alec took her to the Palace Theatre to see ‘Jesus Christ, Superstar.’ It was the first of many West End shows and dinners the couple shared.

For the final week Alec and Shelley moved into the venerable Regent Palace Hotel in Piccadilly, once the largest hotel in Europe.

‘It’s quite appropriate for us,’ Shelley said as she unpacked her case.

Alec looked up from his own unpacking.

She explained. ‘Being so close to that statue. You know, Eros, the Greek god of love?’

‘But it’s not Eros.’ Alec put down a folded shirt, his face turning serious. ‘It’s Charity, a Christian angel.’

Shelley grinned. This was the stickler she was going to marry. Before he could impart more information, she silenced the discussion with a kiss.

The couple dressed and left for the last show they could squeeze into their break.

* * *

The faint sounds of morning traffic woke Alec. The grey dawn light was creating a weak halo around the heavy drapes of their room. He turned to look at Shelley, still asleep next to him, her dark hair spread across the pillow. He leaned across and planted a kiss gently on her partly open lips. Under the kiss she woke and smiled sleepily. His returned grin allowed her tongue entry. Very gently he sucked at her lower lip before raising himself on his elbow, lifting the sheet to reveal Shelley’s naked torso. He ran his finger from her forehead down her face, across her nose to her neck, pausing briefly beside puckered lips to have the tip kissed. Alec leaned forward and kissed the inviting mouth while his hand continued its southward journey to her breast.

‘Morning.’

‘G’morning, sweetheart. This is a great way to be woken!’

‘Mmm.’

Shelley lifted herself and gently pushed Alec back on to his pillows before straddling him. She kissed his mouth passionately. ‘I love you,’ she mumbled in a husky, sotto voice.

‘I love you, too.’ Alec stretched up and gently fondled her breasts, squeezing them close together so her erect nipples could be gently, simultaneous kissed.

Shelley moaned quietly. She slid down his taut body, kissing his chest, belly. He groaned with anticipation. Sitting upright she slowly guided him into her.

‘I don’t have any condoms left,’ Alec whispered hoarsely.

‘It’s all right. We can’t stop now.’

‘But what if you get pregnant?’

Shelly gave him a sexy grin. ‘This old lady ain’t getting any younger, remember?’

Alec didn’t argue. His logical mind was overwhelmed by the concentrated pleasure suffusing his entire body.

He groaned as Shelley’s hips started a slow, rhythmic rotation against him. He reached up and caressed her breasts. Time and space had no meaning for either of them: they were aware only of the sensations completely filling their being.

An explosion of pleasure raced through Alec’s body as he gave a few final upward thrusts while Shelley, with closed eyes, steadily rocked against his hips. He arched upwards then collapsed under her, a rag doll under her continuing movement. Her pace quickened then she paused, still, her face focused with intent. Her face flushed she cried out, ‘Yes! Oh, Alec, yes, yes, yes!’

Alec squeezed her thighs and watched her orgasm track through her body. She fell on top of him, her head between his neck and shoulder, her hair tickling his face. He gently stroked her back and narrow waist, delighting in the shape of her hips.

She sighed. ‘Alec. I love you, so much.’

They lay together. He hardly felt her weight on him.

A sudden knock on the door interrupted their peace.

‘Who the hell is that?’ Alec manoeuvred himself from under Shelly. ‘Yes, hang on a sec,’ he shouted at the door. Pulling on a hotel gown, he went to the door.

A young man in hotel livery stood holding a silver salver, on which lay a small envelope.

‘Yes, what is it?’

‘Sorry to intrude, sir. I have an urgent message. It was telephoned through a short while ago.’

Alec picked it up the envelope with a curt, ‘Thanks.’

The bellhop hesitated just long enough to hint that a tip would be welcome but too brief as to be impolite.

Alec was not in a generous mood. He closed the door quietly, returning to sit on the edge of the bed.

‘Who on earth could be sending me urgent messages here? I only mentioned it to a few people at the University. In case anything urgent came up.’

‘Oh,’ Shelley said, sitting up and tucking the sheet around her body. She looked at him expectantly while he opened the unsealed hotel envelope and read.

The colour drained from Alec’s face.

‘What is it?’ Shelley asked, sitting bolt upright. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘It’s from … well, just read it,’ Alec croaked. He passed Shelley the note neatly typed on hotel paper. Shelley leant towards him, took the paper and read:

Alec:

Telegram from Australia arrived at office early today. Seemed urgent so took it on myself to open and phone. Important news regarding your wife, Katherine.

Please call ASAP — urgent.

It was signed by Jack, the colleague who shared Alec’s office.

‘There must be some news about Katherine. I must phone Jack at once. Come on. Breakfast can wait.’

They sat on the bed while Alec dialled Jack.

‘Hello, Jack? I’ve just got your message. What’s the news? …

What?’ Alec sounded incredulous. ‘When? How? … Both of them, Carolyn and Katherine … Petri … No!’

Shelley listened. Even with only half of the conversation, she could follow. Thoughts swam. Finally Alec would know the truth. But what about her? What would this mean for their relationship? Their future? Will Katherine still love him? What happened to her? What will Alec do? Her myriad of thoughts were interrupted as Alec put down the phone.

His face was ashen. ‘Katherine’s been found. Apparently an urgent telegram arrived for me from WA. Because it was urgent Jack opened it. It’s from Petri. According to Jack, the telegram says Katherine and Carolyn are alive and okay but are prisoners at some old CSIRO research station or something near Kalgoorlie.’

‘That’s wonderful news, Alec. Your wife and daughter are alive. But prisoners —’

‘Petri’s contacted the police in Kalgoorlie. But the telegram didn’t say if they’ve been freed or what has happened. There’re no details.’

‘Oh, my God! And Petri? That’s amazing! It’s been so long!’

‘Shelley, we must get to Perth as soon as possible. Find out what’s happening. I’ll get on to the airlines straight away.’

‘I understand. We’ll go at once. Oh, my darling, you must be so pleased.’ Shelley embraced him and he her. She felt his wet cheek against hers and she did not know what to say.