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Bree woke from a deep sleep. Someone was shaking her. She opened her eyes to find Jenny standing in front of her with a towel wrapped around her wet body
"Get up," Jenny whispered. "There's a car in the drive and someone's rattling the side door."
Bree glanced at the bedside clock and saw it was only a little after seven in the morning.
"Well, get up," Jenny prodded. "I can't do anything with nothing on."
Bree scrambled up, pulled a jersey over her pyjamas, tiptoed to the closed curtains and peeped through a gap. A modern, blue car was parked in the driveway.
"Why hasn't Pattie barked?" she asked. "God, she even barks when someone walks up the neighbour's drive."
Jenny shrugged. "I haven't seen her."
"Okay, I'll go and check but you'd better get dressed."
With thumping heart, Bree walked through to the kitchen and stopped in horror. The outside door was open. Someone was in the house! She moved silently across the room with senses on full alert and saw that the conservatory room was also open.
"If anyone is there, come out," she called in a loud, controlled voice that, she hoped, did not convey the tremor she felt.
Pattie ran out with her tail wagging.
"Pattie!" Bree said in relief. "Who let you in the conservatory, girl?"
"I did," a loud, icy female voice said.
Bree jumped in fright and glanced up. A plump, middle-aged woman stood in the conservatory doorway with an angry expression across her face.
"Who are you and why have you just walked into our house?" Bree demanded.
"Oh, I see," the woman replied, her voice quieter but hostile. "You're one of those English women Ray rescued. So, you're sponging off his kind nature and getting free board and lodgings, are you?"
Bree's own anger rose. "Yes, I am Bree Ashworth. Ray gave me and Jenny permission to stay here, but who, Madam, are you and why have you come in without even the courtesy of a knock?"
"Ray sent us a key, not that it is any business of yours."
"Come now, Emily, you can show some courtesy towards Ray's guests," a quiet male voice said.
Bree jumped in fright for the second time in as many minutes. She swung around to see a grey-headed man standing behind her. For a second, panic gripped as her retreat was blocked. The man, though, was smiling and had a hand extended.
"From all the reports, we have you to thank for helping Ray. I'm Ken Preston and this is my good wife, Emily." His hand clasped Bree's in a strong shake. "Please forgive her. She wasn't expecting anyone to be here." He chuckled and patted the dog "You must have made an impression on Pattie. She never told us you were here."
"Do you know Ray?" Bree asked.
"I'm sorry," Ken said. "We're Ray's in-laws. His wife, Maxie was our daughter."
Bree flushed. "Of course," she said. "I should have realized. Ray speaks highly of you both." She turned to the woman. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Preston. Ray didn't tell us you were coming."
"He didn't know," Emily replied in a warmer voice. "We drove all night from Auckland when we heard he was seriously ill in hospital."
"Ray's fine. He broke his leg and had an operation to stop internal bleeding but nothing is serious."
"Thank God," Emily replied. "We were camping at a remote beach and never heard a thing until we came home last night and there it all was on the television." She swallowed and appeared almost tearful. "I never expected to see another woman in Ray's home. I'm sorry if I reacted badly."
Bree nodded and was glad that Jenny chose that moment to walk in. "Jenny," she said. "This is Ray's mother and father-in-law, Ken and Emily Preston."
"Pleased to meet you, Jenny," Ken boomed and shook the astounded young woman's hand. "We apologize for frightening you but we had no idea you were in the house." He grinned. ''Mind you, we should have guessed when Pattie met us in the kitchen. Ray would never leave her here by herself."
"Ray did say we could stay," Jenny said defensively.
"And why not?" Ken said.
Bree saw him give his wife a slight frown as she half opened her mouth. Ken Preston seemed friendly but his wife still looked frosty. "You must both be tired," Bree said. "How would you like to freshen up? I'll get us all some breakfast."
"That's great," Ken hesitated. "We'll look for a motel later. We had intended to stay here but with you both here..."
"No! Stay," Bree replied. She mentally kicked herself and thought of the cliché she'd quoted to Jenny the night before about putting her brain in gear first. She caught Jenny's ever so slightly raised eyebrows.
"Okay, we will," Ken responded. "Come on, Emily, we'll get the bags."
"If you say so, Ken," Emily replied and followed her husband out.
"So what else could I do?" Bree whispered.
"Hell, I don't know. Ken's okay but she's an old bat. Probably thinks you're going to steal her son-in-law away from her."
"Oh, that's silly."
"Why? They are still grieving their daughter's death, that's obvious, and the thought that Ray could be attracted to someone else doesn't go down too well."
"So say nothing," Bree said. "Anyhow, it's really up to Ray isn't it?"
Jenny nodded but could say no more as Ken staggered back in carrying two large, old-fashioned suitcases. "What room, Bree?" he said warmly.
"Jenny and I are using the first bedroom on the left. Otherwise..." Her voice tailed off.
"Okay," Ken said and disappeared.
Emily returned and helped with breakfast and was chatting away with Jenny when Bree slipped away to get dressed. Just as breakfast was about to be served, Jenny walked to the door. She stared, expressionless, at Bree and muttered something about getting some milk from the corner dairy and disappeared. Bree frowned. They had plenty of milk.
*
JENNY ROARED RAY'S car into the hospital car park and headed indoors. Ignoring everyone, she walked to the elevator and headed up to Ray's ward. Nobody stopped her, and she walked in to find he was having breakfast.
"Jenny," Ray said in surprise. "What's wrong?"
"Your in-laws showed up." Jenny sat on the end of the bed, helped herself to a piece of Ray's toast and explained what happened.
"They're good sorts," Ray said when Jenny finished. "Emily's still getting over Maxie's death, that's all."
"No, it isn't," Jenny protested. "She's got it in for Bree. If it wasn't for Ken, I reckon she would have practically ordered us out of your house." She sniffed. "They've moved in, too, and I wouldn't be surprised if Bree decides to move out."
"Okay, Jenny," Ray said. "I admit Emily can be like that. I'll see what I can do. Who knows you came here?"
"Nobody. I said I was going to get some milk."
"Then you'd better buy some, hadn't you?"
"Sure," Jenny said. "Oh, Ray..."
"Yes?"
"I'm glad you and Bree are...well, you know. You're just what she needs."
"Thanks, Jenny," Ray smiled. "It's true everything's changed quickly but I guess this happens sometimes."
"Yeah, like Romeo and Juliet," Jenny said. "But I must go. Don't tell Bree I came." She squeezed Ray's arm and disappeared as quickly as she arrived.
*
RAY WAS DEEP IN THOUGHT as he sipped his half-cold coffee. He knew he should appreciate Ken and Emily's arrival but why did they have to come now? Oh well, he'd have to think of some discrete way to show Emily he needed to move on in life and not just survive on memories. He grinned. Maybe instead of pretending Bree was just a casual friend, he should openly show his true feelings. His mother-in-law might stop trying to defend Maxie's memory. Perhaps he could add even more to the story...
However, there was no way to tell Bree of his plans because Ken and Emily arrived first. Everything went fine until the conversation turned to the English tourists.
"She's a good looking woman," Ken said with a twinkle in his eye.
"Which one?" Ray tried to remain casual
"Bree. The other girl is just that, a mere kid. Now, if I was your age..."
"Ken!" cut in Emily. She turned to Ray. "She's taken advantage of your good nature, Ray. She probably earns twice your salary and is getting free board. You know Jenny drives your car everywhere. I bet she doesn't bother to fill it with petrol, though."
"Don't you like Bree?" Ray said.
"Well, I hardly know her," Emily muttered "But after a week I doubt if you do either. I hope there's nothing more than friendship...."
"Why?" Ray's voice had an edge to it and he ignored Ken's quizzical look.
"Oh, Ray, she's from England. What could you have in common? Married, too. I know the sort; they come to a country like ours looking for a good time and don't care if they affect other people. Afterwards, they go home and continue their normal lives."
"That's where you're wrong, Emily," Ray said. "It is true Bree and I are, shall I say, more than friends."
"Didn't I tell you, Ken?" Emily interrupted. "One week and she's already played on poor Ray's emotions. I've a good mind to..."
"It's not a week. I've known Bree since August last year," Ray lied.
"How?" Emily blurted.
"I met her at that native forests conference in Auckland and again when I had that holiday in Queensland last November."
"And the plane crash?"
"She was flying down to visit me. When I heard of the crash I joined the rescue crews and found her." Ray never blinked under his mother-in-law's intense gaze.
"I see," she finally said. "Why didn't you tell us earlier?"
"For the very reason I almost never told you today, Emily. It wasn't that long after Maxie's death. How would you have reacted?"
"That's true, Emily," Ken cut in.
"I loved Maxie," Ray said. "Bree, nor anyone else, can never change that but I can't just live my life in the past, can I?"
Emily nodded. "She does seem to be a sophisticated young woman. I can see she suffered a lot as a result of the accident. Do you love her, Ray?"
Ray nodded and reached out for Emily's hand. "That doesn't mean I love Maxie's memory any less." Oh hell, there were tears in her eyes.
"Of course not, Ray, but what about me and Ken?"
"You know I have no parents, Emily. You have been my parents from even before Maxie's illness. That will never change. I will always need your love and support. That will never change. I just hope you can include Bree now."
"She's in many ways like Maxie," Ken said. "I can see why Ray is attracted to her."
"You would," Emily retorted.
Ray glanced up and saw that Bree and Jenny had arrived. He slid off the bed and hobbled towards Bree. Without forewarning, he swept her in his arms and deposited an affectionate kiss on her lips.
She stiffened and was about to pull away when Ray kissed her again, hoping that she would follow his lead.
"I was telling Emily and Ken about how we met at the conference in Auckland last August," he said. He used a little finger to tickle Bree's palm and felt her squeeze back.
"The conference?" Bree stuttered. "It's a while ago..."
"Yes, over four months now." Ray laughed. "You know, they thought we'd only met last week."
"Did they?" Bree's laugh sounded forced but perhaps he was the only person to notice. "I told you we shouldn't keep it a big secret."
"Oh Bree," Emily said. "I'm sorry if I was so cold. Ray's like a son to us and all we want is for him is to be happy. As I said to Ken on the trip down from Auckland, one can't live on memories can one?"
Ray noticed Bree's eyes that said, 'You've got some explaining to do here, buster.' However, in a controlled voice she was quite diplomatic.
"I should have told you before, Emily but... you know," she said.
Ray grinned.
*
"OH, MY GOD," JENNY laughed the following morning back in the ward with Ray and Bree. "What a couple of con artists you two are."
"Well, it worked, didn't it?" Ray replied.
"Sure did," Jenny replied. "Emily and Ken couldn't be more helpful. Ken insisted on taking us to one of the top restaurants in town last night and wouldn't let us pay a penny." She chuckled. "Mind you, Emily gave him the evil dagger when he picked up the tab."
"She's not too bad," Ray said.
"You could have warned me, though," Bree cut in. "I was all prepared to act like a platonic friend when you crushed me with that kiss, then came up with that conference bit. I almost blew that."
"But you didn't," Ray replied. "You caught on quickly."
"Yeah, her experience at being a headteacher," Jenny said.
"Anyhow, we maintained the peace and they're going back to Auckland in a couple of days," Ray said. "There's no harm done."
*
THE TALL MAN IN A BUSINESS suit waited impatiently at the inquiry counter until the receptionist glanced up.
"Could you tell me where to find one of your patients, please?" he said in a pronounced English accent.
"The English tourists involved in the aeroplane crash?"
"That's correct."
"Wait one moment." There was a click of keyboard keys and the woman looked up. "Mrs. Ashworth was treated as an outpatient and discharged."
"So, where can I find her?"
"We are only permitted to disclose a patient's contact address to their designated next of kin or a close relation."
"I understand," the man replied. "I'm her husband, Colin Ashworth."
The receptionist frowned. "You are not listed on the file, Mr. Ashworth."
"That's understandable. Bree isn't expecting me. When I heard about the accident I flew straight here."
The receptionist glanced up. "We will need identification before information is released."
Colin impatiently took a passport from an inside pocket and handed it across the counter. "Now, will you tell me where my wife is?" he said.
"Her contact address is care of the Chancellor Motor Lodge in Fitzherbert Avenue."
Colin sighed. "I've been there. They said that she never arrived and the booking was cancelled."
The woman gave a superficial smile. "My only suggestion is that you contact Mr. Ray Barnett. He was the gentleman who arrived with Mrs. Ashworth and Miss Jenny Dench."
"And how do I do that?" Colin's voice was now caustic.
The woman frowned and tapped more information into her computer. "I'm sorry," she said. "All I can give you is Mr. Barnett's local address." She wrote it on a slip of paper and handed it across to Colin. "It's only a few blocks from here. Turn right out of the hospital car park and right again at the traffic lights. It'll be the third or fourth street on your right. You'll be able to see the signpost."
"Thank you," Colin replied and walked out into the afternoon sun.
He drove his rental vehicle up the drive of 46A Langton Avenue and glanced around. The place appeared deserted but he walked up and knocked on the door. A moment later, a middle-aged woman opened the door.
"Good afternoon," Colin said. "I am Colin Ashworth."
*
PERHAPS EMILY PRESTON had not heard Bree's surname for she made no connection between the visitor and her son-in-law's girlfriend. She stood and waited for the visitor to continue speaking.
"Is this the home of Ray Barnett?" Colin asked.
"Yes, but I'm afraid I'm the only one home at the moment. Can I take a message?"
"I'm looking for Bree, actually. Do you know her?"
"Bree!" Emily's eyes lit up. "Of course I know Bree. She's Ray's..." She waved her hand in the air as she tried to think of an appropriate word. "...Err, partner."
"I'm afraid I don't understand," Colin replied.
Emily frowned. With his accent, this fellow was certainly an Englishman, probably another of those reporters that were still annoying them. Mind you if he was English, perhaps he was from one of those big newspapers like the London Times. She hoped it wasn't one of the racy tabloids they also had over there.
"What do you young people call it?" she flustered when she noticed the man looked impatient. "Cohabiting...is that it? Oh, we never did it in our day. Of course, not every bride was a virgin but it wasn't like it is now."
Colin's face darkened. "I thought they were strangers," he almost spat.
For a second, Emily wondered why this man looked so annoyed, but he was a Pom, after all. They were a frosty lot at the best of times. "Oh, lordy no," she said. "They've been lovers for ages, a couple of years or more..." Emily smiled. Perhaps she had exaggerated a little but what the heck.
"Two years!" the man whispered.
"At least," she said. "They met at some conference somewhere. It might even have been back in England Ray did go overseas on a trip but I thought he never went beyond Australia." Emily began to enjoy being so helpful. "Apparently, they hit it off straight away Mr..." She stopped. "I'm sorry, I never picked up your surname."
"Call me Colin."
"Of course, Colin, but I'm afraid she's not in. Everyone including Ken, my husband, went for a drive out in the country. The car was full so I said I'd stay behind and just relax. We drove down from..."
Colin interrupted her before she could even tell him about her trip down. Young people were so impatient.
"Yes, yes," he said. "But, can you tell me any more about Bree and Ray?"
Emily smiled. "She's such an attractive young woman, principal of a primary school in one of those upmarket suburbs in London probably not far away from where you work...err...Colin. Far too young for such a position of responsibility, I say, but..."
She rattled on with very little factual information but plenty of opinions and suggestions about Bree's lifestyle. When she finished the visitor thanked her and turned away. "Would you like to leave a message?" she asked.
"There's no message, thank you. I'll catch up with her another time," Colin said and drove away.
Emily shrugged. "Strange man," she muttered to herself and returned to the casserole she was preparing. Hopefully, it would be all cooked before the family arrived home.
*
COLIN'S RAGE WAS BARELY being contained as he drove across the city to his motel. How dare any wife of his have an affair and hide it for two years! He thought back. That was even before their marriage headed for the rocks and he began to screw Linda Rouke. Linda, that stupid cow was becoming a pain in the ass, too.
"The bitch," he snarled, not really sure which woman he was talking about. His mind switched back to Bree. If only that other bastard had...Colin slammed his fist down on the steering wheel in frustration.
He roared into the car park of the best motor lodge in town and headed for the bar. An hour later, he staggered back to his room with a bottle clutched in his hand. It was empty.
God, he needed company!
The telephone book had one well-fingered page. He glanced through the short list, tossed it away and turned to a local paper. In the middle of the classified ads was small photograph of a buxom girl.
Colin grinned and reached for the telephone.
A soft voice answered. "Brenda speaking. Can I be of assistance?"
"I need a companion," Colin said in a contrived calm voice. "Is that photo in your add one of you?"
"That's me, honey. And your name?"
"Colin."
"An Englishman. I just love Poms. Now, a massage starts at seventy five for an hour."
"Listen, girlie." Colin's voice almost showed anger. "I want two hours and I want it now."
"I see," the woman's voice became business like. "Two hundred but I take credit cards. You wear a condom and I don't go into kinky stuff. If you want that, I can refer you to a colleague. It'll cost you, though."
"No, you'll do," Colin replied and gave her the address. "Wear street clothes. Nothing exotic."
"Sure, Colin. I'll be with you in thirty minutes."
*
THREE HOURS LATER, a badly beaten young woman tried to look dignified as she limped away from the motel. One eye was closed and already bruises were appearing on her cheeks. She wiped blood from her lips and grimaced in pain as she slid into her car and headed to the police station.
"Hello, Brenda," said the duty sergeant. "Someone go a bit too far this time?'"
"The bugger," she retorted. "I want him nailed and quartered."
The policeman sighed and reached for an official document. "Okay, Brenda," he said. "But shouldn't you go and see a doctor first?"
"That can wait," Brenda replied. "This guy is a maniac. He practically killed me." She lifted her head up. "Look at my throat."
Ugly red marks showed a distinct outline of fingers and a thumb.
"Where is he?"
"The Swordsman Motor Lodge, Unit Sixty-seven. The bugger will be asleep, I reckon. He reeked of spirits."
"Okay, I'll get a squad car there."
It took less than ten minutes before the police car screeched to a halt outside The Swordsman Motor Lodge and two officers made their way to Unit Sixty-seven. However, the door was open and a well-dressed man was wiping bloodstains off the bathroom wall.
"I'm the manager," he muttered. "If you're looking for the guy who hired this unit, he's just booked out. It was a funny time so I came and inspected the room." He sighed in disgust. "Look at the mess."
*