One Summer in Sydney
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Annie Claydon
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CHAPTER ONE
A TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR JOURNEY. As they’d flown over the baked heart of Australia, it had occurred to Dr Allie Maitland-Hill that if she wasn’t far enough away from London yet, there was nowhere else left to run.
The thought made her feel more determined, rather than less. When the news had first broken at the hospital, whispers turning into rumours, and then firmed up by a bland official announcement that had given precious few details, Allie had run to Hampshire for the weekend. Two days tramping the countryside with Aunt Sal had always fixed whatever life had thrown at her, but this time it hadn’t even come close.
On Monday morning she’d returned to work to find that the hospital had made another announcement, this time with further details. The online group, where members had posted pictures and videos—Allie’s blood had run cold with panic at the thought of videos—was no longer a suspicion but a reality. Several of the ringleaders had been identified and immediately suspended. They weren’t named, but James wasn’t there when she’d happened to pass his work station at the hospital and it had lain empty for the whole week.
The following weekend, she’d tried to run a little further. Surely Yorkshire would do what Hampshire had failed to accomplish? But two nights in a hotel, most of it spent in her room looking out at the glorious view and trying to think of an alternative to the one possibility that was boring its way into her heart, had been fruitless.
James had been affable and charming, almost shy, but he’d left her under no illusions that he was interested in her. Allie had liked the gentle three-month courtship that moved slowly from looks and smiles towards a coffee date and then an evening meal together. She’d ignored the veiled hints she’d heard from a friend that he wasn’t all that he seemed, because everyone else who knew him seemed to like him, and he’d never pressed their relationship to go any faster than it should.
When they’d spent the night together he’d seemed so perfect. He’d pulled back the bedcovers, keeping the lights on, because he said that he wanted to see everything that passed between them, and they’d made love for hours.
He’d called her the next day, seeming genuinely upset. They’d had a wonderful time together but he had a lot going on right now, and couldn’t take things any further. He’d been vague and uncharacteristically thoughtless, but Allie had swallowed the questions that had come to mind and put it down to experience. James had said that he’d always remember their time together with fondness, and then hung up.
As she’d sat miserably in her hotel room, Allie had wondered whether James had more than just fond recollections to remember her by. Maybe he had an aide-memoire, to recall their time together, that she didn’t know about. The thought had eaten away at her, like corrosive acid, and when she’d returned to London she’d called the confidential hotline that the hospital had set up for anyone with concerns that images of them might have been shared without their knowledge.
That had been eighteen months ago, now. Time spent facing the truth and not running from it. Finally Allie had buckled under the pressure and decided she needed a change. Some anonymity where she didn’t feel that everyone knew what had happened and where she was constantly wondering who had seen what on the internet. When she’d gone to her line manager to tell him that she was giving up her job, he’d suggested an alternative. Dr Zac Forbes had been in Sydney for the last two years, as part of an exchange scheme between her own hospital and a sister hospital in Australia. His tenure was due to finish soon, and since there were currently no suitable candidates to replace him Allie’s application could be pushed through quickly. She could keep her job in London open, and return without losing any seniority.
And Australia could be a new start. Or—it was impossible to run any further without going into space. Whichever way Allie was minded to think about it, it had seemed to open up options for a future that increasingly seemed to offer very little, apart from just getting through the day, and then surviving the night.
In a daze of weariness, she followed the line of passengers slowly making their way off the plane, and through customs. Someone had directed her to the meeting area and she’d followed a group of people, just off the plane and clearly looking forward to a reunion with family or friends. Allie watched as they fell into the arms of the people waiting for them, smiling a little at the warmth that escaped the tight circle. Maybe if she concentrated on that, it would stop her from shivering.
Zac had said he’d be waiting for her here and she summoned up the two-year-old image of him, from her own hospital. Pale brown hair, and...she didn’t know what colour his eyes were, they’d never had much to do with each other back in England. Probably some shade of brown, which went with the muted colours he always wore. Perhaps he’d be carrying a placard with her name on it, which would distinguish him from all of the other anonymous faces that surrounded her.
Allie sat down at the end of a row of seats, clutching the handle of her suitcase tightly and scanning the people in the waiting area. She couldn’t see Zac; maybe he’d been detained at the hospital... The impulse to flop to one side, curl up on a couple of seats and take a nap seized her and she opened her eyes with an effort, only to see a card propped up against the cash register of a coffee cart. Dr Alexandra Maitland-Hill.
Maybe she was supposed to ask there where she was supposed to go next. Then the man who had just paid for coffee picked up the disposable cup along with the card with her name on it and turned. Zac...?
There was nothing anonymous about him. This was a man who met someone’s gaze, a lot broader across the shoulders than she remembered Zac, his hair kissed blond by the sun and his skin golden. He wore a pair of casual trousers, along with a dark blue T-shirt emblazoned with a brightly coloured design on the front. Something about him reminded her of the shy, gentle man that she remembered, whose only two aims in life seemed to be study and merging into the background. But there was a lot that didn’t.
Australia had obviously been good to him. Allie automatically raised her hand, waving to catch his attention, and he gave a frank, open smile that made her wonder momentarily whether this really was Zac and she wasn’t fast asleep on the plane still, dreaming her own version of Revenge of the Body Snatchers.
Blue. His eyes were dark blue. And Zac Forbes was absolutely gorgeous.
Zac had thought about this a lot. When the news had broken at the hospital, the police had contacted him to ask whether he knew anything about the abuse that had been taking place and although Zac wished he could tell them something that would be of help, he was also relieved to be able to say that he’d no clue about what had been going on. He’d watched the situation from afar, seen Allie’s bravery in coming forward and encouraging others to do the same, and realised the toll that must have taken.
And now he could see it in her face. She was smiling, clearly disoriented at finding herself in a strange place with precious little sleep, and no one could be expected to come off a long international flight looking completely self-possessed. But there was more. A drawn watchfulness that she probably didn’t even know that she was exhibiting. He’d hardly recognised the bright, bubbly woman that he remembered from two years ago.
And now her bravery and what Zac assumed must be a wish for a new start had carried her here, and he’d made up his mind that he would make this transition as painless as possible for her. It was up to him to provide as much security and success that he could for her during their five-week handover period.
He sat down next to her, leaving one seat empty between them. ‘How was your flight?’ Zac decided that sticking with obvious questions was probably best at the moment.
‘Fine...good.’ She answered too quickly for that to be anything other than a pleasantry. ‘I could do with some fresh air.’
He nodded. ‘Would you like a coffee before we get going? We can take it outside.’
She hesitated. Zac wondered whether she’d lost the ability to trust in the simple offer of a drink. Too late, the thought that any drink might be spiked occurred to him, and it tore at his heart that this kind of precaution might be the first and most important thing that occurred to Allie these days.
Then he saw a flash of the bright warmth that he recognised from two years ago. He’d always felt a little envious of her carefree, outgoing spirit, and Allie’s sudden smile made his heart lurch in his chest.
‘Yes. Thanks, that would be nice. Unless you have to be somewhere?’
‘I’ll be dropping in to the hospital this afternoon, but there’s no rush. We’ve plenty of time.’ He got to his feet, and Allie strung the strap of her handbag across her shoulder. ‘Let me take your case.’
One more thing that she had to think about. Allie was clearly apprehensive and feeling vulnerable in an unfamiliar place, but she was making a determined effort to return his overtures of friendship. The impulse to protect her, to tell her that he’d do everything and anything to keep her safe, made his heart ache.
‘Thanks.’
There was a trace of reluctance as she pushed the large case towards him, and Zac picked up her cabin bag, propping it on the top and then waiting for Allie to get to her feet before he started to walk over to the coffee cart.
‘Um...’ She was scanning the list taped to the front of the cart, frowning. Zac searched his memory and coffee with milk popped out from one of the creases of a past that he’d thought he had carefully folded away.
‘A flat white is somewhere between a cappuccino and a latte. Frothed milk without the foam.’ He grinned at her.
‘That sounds good.’ She reached into her bag, fiddling with a zipped pouch inside, and Zac handed her a ten-dollar note. He’d been in the same place two years ago, picking a random brew from a list and sorting through the bundle of unfamiliar notes he’d got from the bank in England.
‘Thanks.’ She examined the note and then grinned at him, the dark shadows under her eyes seeming to disappear for a moment.
Such beautiful eyes, wide and brown, shot with gold when she turned her face towards the light. Allie’s dark curls and her smile had always brightened his day back in London, even if approaching her to talk about anything other than work was out of the question.
He had to stop this. Wanting to make Allie smile meant that he had to get close to her. And he guessed that getting close would be a whole new challenge after all that she’d been through. He’d made up his mind to make her welcome, and do as much as he could to give her a safe place to live, while she was finding her feet here. He really needed to stop thinking about the feeling in the pit of his stomach that he wanted to roll back everything that had happened to Allie in the last two years, and somehow make it all go away.
After the air-conditioned hum of the plane, the sounds and smells of the open air began to dispel the fog that had formed in Allie’s mind. She could look around her and drink in her surroundings, a cup of coffee in her hand, Zac sitting quietly next to her. She took off her hoodie, turning her face up to the warmth of the sun. Everything seemed brighter somehow, and clearer.
‘I think I’m going to like it here.’ Allie decided that since this was a fresh start, she should be optimistic.
‘I do. There’s something about moving to the other side of the world that gets everything into perspective.’
Did he know? It wouldn’t be beyond the bounds of possibility, he must have friends back at the hospital, although Zac had always seemed too busy with his books and his work to socialise much. Allie rejected the thought. Fresh start. Time to stop wondering what everyone she met knew and what they’d seen on the internet. What they might see if it occurred to them to look.
‘Did you?’ She sipped her coffee, trying to make the question seem casual.
‘I think so. A little less work and a little more play. Although there’s still plenty of work and a lot to learn.’
Allie had been banking on that. Something to keep her mind occupied, and to tire her out so that she might sleep. Right now she was more interested in the leisure side of Zac’s metamorphosis, because work was something that was always there, both here and at home. And the change in him was even more marked now that they were in the open air. He seemed relaxed and so at one with the world around him.
‘What do you do? In your spare time.’
He chuckled, stretching his legs out in front of him. ‘Well... I’ve learned to surf.’
‘Surfing! So you’re a real Australian now, are you?’
‘Nah. Still noticeably English. Ask anyone at the hospital.’ He shrugged. ‘I hear that Cornwall’s good for surfing.’
‘So when you get home you’ll be driving down there for weekends?’
‘Who knows. I may well give it a go.’ He spun his coffee cup into a nearby recycling bin, and Allie yawned behind her hand. ‘Do you want to get going?’
She nodded. ‘I could do with a couple of hours’ sleep. Then hopefully I’ll make it through the afternoon without dozing off and sleep tonight...’
Zac had put her luggage in the back of a rather battered SUV, which seemed to fit perfectly with his new persona of a man who liked to spend time at the beach. He’d held the door open, frowning awkwardly and brushing a few specks of sand from the seat before she got in, in a nod to the shy, apologetic man who she’d thought would be picking her up at the airport. In a place that seemed so like home in some ways, and so different in others, contradictions might be something she ought to expect.
They drove for half an hour, along free-flowing highways and then through residential districts, with houses set back from the road and shaded by trees. Finally, Zac turned onto a coastal road.
‘You live here?’
He smiled. ‘Cronulla’s handy for the hospital, it’s on the same side of Sydney. And it’s only half an hour by car, or an hour by train from the centre of town if you want to go out for the evening.’
Going out. Two years ago, Allie would have been up for that. But she couldn’t remember the last time she’d been on an evening out, now. Handy for the hospital would be good, though.
‘And it’s by the sea.’
‘Yeah. And not too far from the Royal National Park, if you want to go walking or cycling.’
She hadn’t done much walking or cycling recently either. Or been to a beach, although the deep blue of the sky, merging in the distance with the water, did seem inviting. Allie would settle for the privacy of four walls, and some peace and quiet in which to sleep right now. That vision seemed to disintegrate a little as Zac turned in to a covered parking spot, next to a brightly painted shop front.
‘You live above a surf shop?’ She couldn’t suppress the note of surprised disappointment in her voice as she got out of the car. Zac definitely hadn’t mentioned that in their brief set of exchanged emails.
‘I’m friendly with the owners. They used to live above the shop but they have a growing family now, and they need a bit more space. Don’t make any judgements just yet—wait until you see it...’ He took her suitcase from the boot, then ushered her along a path that led around the side of the building, to a set of steps that led up to a first-floor doorway. He pulled his keys from his pocket, unlocking the door and standing back to let her step inside.
The curtains were drawn against the morning sun, and the place was fresh and cool. Wooden floors and neutral colours gave the feeling of even more space to an already huge area by English standards, which combined a kitchen and living room. Everything was neat and gleaming, and Allie could see none of the personal items that made a place look lived in.
‘I’ve packed up my stuff and put it all in the spare bedroom.’ Zac was hanging back, clearly waiting for Allie’s verdict.
‘You didn’t need to do that...’ Suddenly she was glad that he had. Accepting his offer to live here while she found her feet had seemed like a sensible thing to do, but Allie had already decided that finding her own space was her top priority. But staying here for a while didn’t seem quite so challenging as she’d thought it might be.
‘It’s very quiet.’
Zac raised his eyebrows. ‘You’re expecting to have to fight your way through a throng of beach bums sipping beer to get to the front door? Mark and Naomi sell high-end surfing equipment so the place doesn’t attract that crowd. You won’t find them holding any midnight beach parties either, they have young children.’
‘That’s a relief. It seems really nice here.’
He smiled suddenly. ‘You haven’t seen the best part yet.’ Leaving her suitcase by the open doorway, Zac strode across to the full-length curtains and pulled them back.
Allie caught her breath. There were sliding doors leading out onto a large shaded balcony, with chairs and a small table. And beyond that the sea, with views of a curving, wooded peninsular to one side. Suddenly the neutral tones of the room made absolute sense, because who needed colour and decoration inside when there was the animated beauty of the panorama outside?
‘It’s gorgeous, Zac!’
He nodded, seeming to relax a little. ‘The view’s actually better from upstairs. And it’s never quite the same two days running.’ Zac turned as a woman’s voice sounded from the doorway.
‘Knock, knock!’
‘Hey Naomi. Come in.’
The woman standing in the doorway stepped inside. She was about Allie’s age, with blonde hair and golden skin, and was carrying a baby in a brightly coloured wrap. A little girl of about four stood next to her, holding a large bunch of flowers.
‘Hi.’ Naomi grinned at Allie. ‘We just popped in to say hello and to welcome you.’ Naomi let go of the little girl’s hand, and she ran to Zac.
‘Hey, Izzy.’ He squatted down on his heels in front of the child, and she pushed the flowers into his hands. Zac chuckled, leaning towards her, speaking in a stage whisper. ‘They’re beautiful. But I don’t think they’re for me.’
Naomi chuckled. ‘No, they’re not, you can go and pick your own flowers, Zac. Izzy, give them to Allie.’
Izzy snatched the bunch of flowers back, and walked over to Allie. Despite the ache in her back, Allie bent down towards the little girl. ‘Hey, are you Izzy? I’m Allie.’
‘These are for you. Welcome to Australia.’ Izzy proffered the bunch of flowers.
‘Thank you, Izzy. They’re so pretty.’
Izzy nodded. ‘That one’s waratah...’ She pointed to the lavish, dark pink blooms, bound together with dark green foliage. ‘I helped pick them.’
‘You did? You chose such nice ones.’ Allie smiled at Naomi. ‘Thank you so much.’
‘Waratah’s the floral emblem of New South Wales.’ Naomi gave her a bright smile back, beckoning to Izzy. ‘We won’t stay, you must be exhausted, but I just want you to know that if Zac’s not around and there’s something you need, my husband Mark or I are always downstairs during the day. Our house is at the top of the hill right behind here, so I hope you’ll pop in for coffee some time.’
‘Mark and Naomi’s place is the one with the waratah bushes,’ Zac interjected.
‘Yep. And before I forget—Zac’s lease is up in six weeks, but you’re welcome to stay as long as you want after that. If you like the place we can sort out a lease, or if you’d prefer somewhere different feel free to stay on a weekly basis while you’re looking round.’
‘Thank you. That’s really kind of you.’ Allie was beginning to feel that her feet were really back on solid ground again. Naomi exchanged a wordless smile with Zac and Allie wondered whether he’d had something to do with the plan.
‘It’s our pleasure to have you here.’ Naomi grabbed Izzy’s hand. ‘Zac, why don’t you go and bother Mark in the workshop? I expect Allie wants some time to herself to settle in and catch some sleep.’
‘No can do, I’m afraid. I said I’d pop in to the hospital for a couple of hours. If he’s still there when I get back, I’ll catch him then.’
‘He’ll be there, he’s got a lot to do.’ Naomi gave a smile and left them alone.
Allie was finally feeling that she was grinding to a halt. Zac had put the flowers in water, saying she could arrange them later, and carried her suitcase upstairs. The bedroom overlooking the sea had the same balcony and panoramic views, and it was cool enough to be able to sleep. Zac snapped the front door key from his keyring and handed it to her.
‘Why don’t you take it? You’ll need to get back in again when you return from the hospital, won’t you?’
‘I won’t disturb you. I’ll be over in Mark’s workshop if you want anything. Just put your head around the door downstairs and Naomi will point you in the right direction. Dinner at six?’
‘That’s fine. I just need to close my eyes for a few hours.’
Zac nodded. ‘I’ll leave you to it.’
He turned, walking downstairs, and Allie heard the front door close behind him, suddenly realising that she was breathing a sigh of relief. Alone. In a room that had been stripped of all his belongings, with just empty fitted wardrobes and freshly laundered sheets on the bed. And her fingers closing around the front door key, which meant she could let down her guard.
Did he know? Had he done all of this to give her some space and make her feel safe? Allie wasn’t sure how she felt about that, or whether she should feel an echo of that humiliation she’d felt at the hospital in London, where everyone knew. She was too weary to even think about it.
Allie stumbled into the en suite shower room and then changed her mind. Sleep first. She closed the curtains, making sure that there were no chinks that allowed the outside world to intrude, then sat down on the bed, looking around her. There was a thumb turn for a bolt, under the handle of the door.
No. She was making a new start and she didn’t need to do that. She should take off her clothes, lie down and sleep, like any other normal person. All the same, she walked over to the door, turning the stiff bolt back and forth a couple of times so that it engaged more easily, and then locked the door.
