Finding Love Down Under

by Jay, Donna

  After taking a sip of water, Amy continued. “It was all fun and games to start with, then she wanted me to call her Daddy. I played along because I loved her.” A tear ran down Amy’s cheek. “Then one day, I got home from work. She sent me to the room to be punished. Things had been getting out of control and I was too scared to argue. I sensed something wasn’t right, so I turned the phone camera to record before I tossed it on the dresser.” She gripped Zoe’s hand, her eyes imploring. “Are you sure you want to see this?”

  Dread crept up Zoe’s spine. She shook her head no at the same time as she said yes.

  “Here.” Amy shoved the phone under Zoe’s nose. “I can’t…” Her voice broke. “I can’t bear to watch it again. She ruined my life.”

  Sweat beaded on Zoe’s forehead. She took a deep breath to slow her racing heart, then took the phone from Amy and hit play.

  There was no mistaking the person sitting on the end of a large four-poster bed was the same woman currently sitting next to Zoe, sniffing back tears, elbows on the breakfast bar, hands covering her ears.

  A strap-on harness with a pink dildo attached to it, appeared to have been dumped unceremoniously on the floor to the right of Amy’s bare feet.

  Zoe’s heart leapt into her throat when she heard the unmistakable tenor of Claire’s voice. “If you ever come near me again…” The camera angle changed leaving only the top of Amy’s head visible. “This video, with your face clearly on display and you stating your name, will go viral. Free for all.” A pause, then… “I want half of everything.”

  The venomous tone of Claire’s voice made Zoe’s blood run cold. She’d heard it once before, only that time it’d been directed at Samantha. The phone dropped from her hand like it was on fire and had burned her palm.

  Amy looked up, blue eyes glistening with tears. “She filmed us having sex, numerous times before that day.” Anger flashed in Amy’s eyes and she swiped at the tears streaming down her cheeks. “Her declarations of love were nothing but a hoax, and, when she decided she was done with me, that’s the goodbye gift I received for five years of my life.” She hiccupped on a sob, nodding at the phone sitting between them like a time bomb.

  Stunned, Zoe managed to utter one word. “Why?”

  Amy shrugged, a distant look in her sad eyes. “It’s what she does. It started in high school. I didn’t know that at the time. And even if I had, I doubt it would’ve made a difference. She’s a very charismatic woman.” Amy coughed into her hand, then banged her fist against her chest. “I mean the most manipulative woman I’ve met.” Fear flashed in Amy’s eyes. She grasped Zoe’s forearm. “I’m begging you not to tell her I was here. I have a team of fifty staff. My job is all I have left. And trust me, you don’t want to be around if she flips her lid.” Amy twirled her finger in a circle next to her temple, indicating she thought Claire might go insane.

  The action made Zoe’s head spin. She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Please, just go.”

  The wooden chair legs screeched on the hardwood floor as Amy shoved back from the breakfast bar and stood. “I never meant to hurt you.” She squeezed Zoe’s shoulder. “But if I can save you from the same pain I went through, the aftermath I’m still dealing with, then I’m not sorry either.”

  For a long time after Amy left, Zoe didn’t move. Her backside went numb as she considered her options, the conversation with Amy playing on repeat in her mind. Zoe felt heartsick. Even though she didn’t want to admit it, a lot of what Amy had said made sense.

  For instance, the first night she’d arrived at the cottage and Claire had snapped that she wasn’t her mother. Not to mention, Claire’s so-called dislike of blindfolds and masks.

  A cold shiver ran through Zoe as she finally managed to get her legs to work. She glanced around the wood panel walls looking for any tell-tale signs of hidden cameras. Was Claire hiding in the open? Her supposed aversion to cameras nothing more than a ruse so Zoe wouldn’t suspect anything sinister? Or did she have such an aversion to cameras because she was guilty of misusing them? There was nothing quite like a guilty conscience to make someone suspicious of others.

  Chapter 24

  After a few hours of shopping, and treating her mum to a new dress, Claire drove home with a grin from ear-to-ear. Her mother had been disappointed not to see Zoe, but her mood quickly lifted when Claire extended the offer to dinner. Something her parents would’ve declined before Zoe took over kitchen duties.

  It hadn’t taken her mother long to realize Claire was smitten with Zoe, and her Canadian friend had become more than a houseguest. At the age of fifty-eight, Dorothy Evans was a shrewd woman. Over the months Claire had spent living back at her parents, her mum never pushed for more information than Claire was willing to give about what went so terribly wrong between herself and Amy. The fact her daughter needed her was enough for her mother to wrap Claire in her maternal apron strings.

  Five-minutes from the cottage, Claire cranked up the stereo and sang dreadfully out of tune. Even the stench of cow manure wafting off the cattle truck she was stuck behind couldn’t dampen her mood. Happiness bubbled up inside her, at the thought of spending the afternoon with her lover, lazing around in the sun.

  Acting like a giddy teenager, Claire toot-toot-tooted the horn as she drove up the driveway. A fleeting sense of worry swept over her when Zoe didn’t appear in the doorway to greet her. Then Claire chastised herself for being silly. Chances were, Zoe was in the garden, the old barn, or possibly even in the bathroom. In the next heartbeat, Claire’s mind flew south. Zoe could be planning a surprise, waiting in the middle of the living room, on her knees… naked.

  The thought made Claire bound up the stairs. Zoe was indeed waiting for her. However, she wasn’t naked or on her knees. Zoe wore the same clothes she’d had on when Claire left for town, a light yellow skirt and cream tank top. The black apron remained unused and neatly folded beside a large pot, the lid on the floor.

  Claire’s stomach clenched at the sight of Zoe’s sombre expression, eyes bloodshot and puffy. With no idea why Zoe was so upset, and not liking it one bit, Claire strolled into the living room. She wanted to gather Zoe in her arms and soothe away the pain. “Hey, hey, what happened, doll?”

  The way Zoe held her hand up, along with the tight set to her jaw, stopped Claire in her tracks. Hurt and confusion hit Claire as though she’d walked into a brick wall.

  “Don’t…call me that.” Zoe gritted out the words.

  Perplexed, Claire held her hands up in a placating gesture. “Whoa, okay! What happened? Why are you so upset?”

  The muscles in Zoe’s neck tensed. Her jaw clenched and unclenched in turn. “I don’t know how to tell you this.”

  Claire’s heart skipped a beat. Had Zoe changed her mind about them being together? She hoped and prayed she hadn’t, but she didn’t want to be in a false relationship either. If it was bad news, she’d deal. “Come on, you can tell me anything.” She said the words to reassure herself as much as Zoe.

  “I’m not supposed to tell you. Please don’t get angry.” The frightened look in Zoe’s eyes, confused and pissed Claire off in equal measure. It reminded her of the day at the café. Surely Samantha hadn’t found Zoe. No that couldn’t be it, Zoe would’ve texted her.

  Claire crouched, wanting to be at eye level with Zoe. “I promise I won’t get angry.”

  Molly, who had recently started venturing inside, jumped into Zoe’s lap. Zoe idly scratched her under the chin, her gaze flicking between Claire and the cat.

  “I had a visitor. She showed up not long after you left.”

  A surge of anger made Claire’s nostrils flare. Whoever had been to her home without her permission, and upset Zoe, had a lot of explaining to do. “She?” The word was said in a slow controlled manner.

  Zoe chewed on her bottom lip. “Amy, your ex.”

  The mere mention of the name made Claire’s blood boil. The fact she’d been to her home made her seethe. “I know perfect
ly well who Amy is.” She gritted out the words. “What the fuck did she want?” The venomous tone of her voice took Claire by surprise and made her feel like a madwoman when Zoe cowered, sinking into the sofa, hugging Molly like a protection blanket.

  “You said you wouldn’t get angry.” Zoe’s lip trembled.

  Taking a deep breath, Claire reined in the fury that she’d save for Amy and sat in the overstuffed lounge chair. She angled the chair sideways and put her elbows on her knees, chin on top of her hands. “Sorry. I never expected you would have to deal with Amy, much less have her turn up to my haven and upset my girlfriend.”

  Even though the visit must’ve been unsettling, it still didn’t explain why Zoe was acting so standoffish. Claire had a feeling she wasn’t going to like what she heard. “I’m all ears and promise to remain calm.” She could do that, on the outside anyway.

  “I don’t doubt you never meant for me to meet Amy.” Zoe pinned Claire with a glare that made her feel like she was on trial. “Your threat was pretty compelling.” Her voice broke. “Scary even.”

  The riddles made Claire’s head spin. “What are you talking about?”

  “She showed me something. Made me listen to something she recorded on her phone.”

  The accusing look in Zoe’s eye stung. Claire’s stomach lurched.

  “You made adult...” Zoe choked on the word. “X-rated movies of you two together. She said you earned this place on your back, then discarded her like last week’s garbage and threatened her to never come near you again.”

  Taken aback, Claire slumped back in the chair. She dreaded Zoe’s reply before she even asked the question. “And you believed her?”

  “Yes. No. I don’t know.” The frantic tone of Zoe’s voice made Molly jump off her lap and flee the room. “Amy gave me her phone. I heard you threaten her to never come near you again or you’d post those… those movies for her friends to see.”

  One by one, Claire put the pieces of information together. No wonder the conniving little bitch, Amy, hadn’t protested when Claire had sent her to the bedroom. Once again Amy had seen the perfect opportunity to capture a scene on camera. Only at the time she hadn’t known Claire was already onto her. The irony of the situation made Claire want to laugh like a maniac. Karma truly was a bitch. The one time she’d stooped low enough to get retribution had come back to bite her in the proverbial arse.

  The room fell silent, both women lost in thought. A fist squeezed around Claire’s heart, threatening to shatter it into tiny pieces. The fact Zoe appeared to have taken Amy’s declaration at face value cut deep. And right at that moment, Claire didn’t have the emotional strength to argue her case. With her scattered thoughts, and overwrought emotions, she’d probably make the situation worse.

  Claire locked her gaze on Zoe, hoping she could appease her for the time being. “What do you want me to say?” she asked, grasping at straws.

  A slither of hope shined in Zoe’s eyes. The sofa rocked beneath her as she bounced on the balls of her feet like a person suffering from the DT’s. “Tell me it’s not true.” She said, her voice barely above a whisper.

  Claire couldn’t do that. “I’ve never lied to you, Zoe, and I’m not about to start now.” Claire took a deep breath to calm her nerves. “In a moment of weakness, yes, I threatened Amy. But, it’s not what you think.”

  A look of stunned horror contorted Zoe’s features. “Have you been grooming me? Is that why you’re finally ready for us to have pictures taken? Oh my goodness, the note.” She shook her head and let out a bitter laugh. “A little pot of gold. Did you plan on making money off me? Yeah you had me summed up, alone and vulnerable. God, I might as well have ‘I’m gullible’ tattooed across my forehead. Well, guess what, Claire? I didn’t sign up for any of this!” In a low voice she added, “I probably should go.”

  Hardly able to believe her day had been turned upside down, Claire swallowed down the bile burning in her throat. She’d never force anyone to stay and Zoe was so wound up she doubted she’d listen to reason anyway. “If that’s what you want, doll. I’ll take you into town tomorrow. Travel agencies will be closed today and I won’t have you staying at a back-packers.”

  Uncertainty marred Zoe’s face, the earlier bravado gone. “That’s it?” Her lip trembled. “You’re not even going to fight for us?”

  The emotion in Zoe’s voice barely registered with Claire. She was too overwhelmed with her own grief, trying to comprehend the fact Zoe had questioned her integrity and not even heard her out. She wouldn’t make Zoe stay in a relationship when she thought Claire had an ulterior motive. With a heavy heart, Claire shook her head. “No, Zoe. I’m done fighting.”

  Chapter 25

  Hurt and confused, Zoe gathered up her belongings from Claire’s bedroom and shut herself in the guestroom. Dried lavender sprigs strategically hung on the walls emitted a sweet floral fragrance. The pungent smell of mothballs had long ago dissipated.

  Around six, her internal clock reminded her it was dinner time, but she was too nauseated to eat. Here she was about to walk away from the best months of her life, and the only woman she’d ever truly loved.

  Tears stung the back of Zoe’s eyes. She smoothed out the maid outfit, hung it on a coat hanger, and stuffed it in the wardrobe. Amy’s visit had been a double-edged sword, severing one part of her life, yet saving Zoe from potential harm.

  Curling onto her side on the bed, Zoe flicked through her phone. She managed a small smile when her gaze landed on a picture of her and Tyler taken at his Rugby game. The happy memory vanished when the remnants of a conversation from that day worked its way into her mind. She could still hear the pleading tone of Tyler’s voice and see the look of despair in his eyes when he’d asked Claire, “How long are you going to let it rule your life?”

  Zoe wished she’d thought to ask Claire what it was. But wishing wouldn’t change the fact she’d lost the chance. Claire could barely look at her, whether from shame or hurt, Zoe didn’t know. Doubt filled her with dread. Had Amy manipulated the recording she’d played to Zoe? From what she could gather, Claire and Amy would’ve had to split everything they owned. Surely that wouldn’t be enough to own a cottage with acres of grape vines and have a comfortable nest egg left over.

  A violent shudder tore through Zoe, rocking the bed And how much did people make from posting homemade porn anyway?. Thankfully, she’d never find out.

  ***

  After a restless night’s sleep, Zoe awoke to a ray of sunshine streaming through a gap in the blinds. She crawled to the end of the bed, rolled up the shades, and opened a window.

  When white paws landed on the windowsill, she jumped, then giggled. “Come on, Molly.” The cat climbed down onto the bed, purring loudly. Zoe picked her up and buried her face in silky soft fur. “I’m gonna miss you, girl. Claire will be your new Mama. I hope she doesn’t forget to feed you.” It wouldn’t matter if Claire did, Molly was still a barn cat at heart. Although, there was no denying she’d fattened up since Zoe first arrived.

  Fighting back tears, Zoe kissed Molly on the top of her furry head. “Goodbye, sweetheart. Look after Claire for me.”

  The cat licked Zoe’s nose, then her prickly tongue lapped at a tear that rolled down Zoe’s cheek. If only human relationships were so simple. As soon as she put Molly down, the cat jumped out the window and bounded away.

  After a quick shower, Zoe dressed in a long flowing cream sundress, then made her way to the kitchen. The strap of her backpack dug into her shoulder, adding to the weight of the world already dragging her down.

  Claire greeted Zoe with a sad smile. Neither of them said a word, the tension so thick it was palpable.

  A shrill whistle pierced the silence. Claire rose from the lounge chair, strolled into the kitchen, and picked up the kettle. “Coffee?” she asked as if sensing neither of them were in the mood for food. Or worse, not wanting Zoe anywhere near her kitchen.

  “Sure.” Zoe accepted the offer, feeling more out of p
lace than the first evening she’d spent at the cottage. The same night Claire had opened up her sanctuary to Zoe. Her chest felt tight and her mind raced. How the hell had they come to this? Could she take back what she’d said? Did she want to?

  Claire handed Zoe a steaming mug of coffee. “There’s somewhere I need to stop on the way to town.” The flat tone of her voice gave away nothing.

  Zoe nodded. “Okay.” She waited, hoping against hope Claire would beg her to stay, but then Claire didn’t beg. With that said, she’d never looked as vulnerable as she did right then either.

  Twenty-minutes later, Claire stopped at a roadside florist. When she strolled back toward the car with a bouquet of pink and white flowers, hope flared in Zoe’s chest. It vanished just as fast when Claire opened the backdoor and laid the flowers carefully on the backseat. What the hell? Did she have a backup fuck waiting? God, her bed wasn’t even cold yet.

  Inhaling the floral aroma, and tramping down her wayward thoughts, Zoe recalled how close Claire and her mother were. “For your mom?” She glanced at Claire.

  The car fired to life and Claire shoved it in gear. “Nope.”

  When Claire pulled into a cemetery, a surge of panic shot through Zoe. Morbid thoughts bounced around inside her skull, her imagination in overdrive. The night they’d met, Claire had quipped she could be an axe murderer. Had things come full circle since Zoe was no longer of any use to Claire?

  So caught up in her macabre thoughts, Zoe almost leapt out of her skin when Claire put a hand on her thigh. Her palm was warm and soft. Zoe missed the contact the second she removed it.

  “I have something to tell you, and then you can decide if you still want to leave.”

  Unnerved by Claire’s words, Zoe blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “You sound like Amy.”

  Claire flinched. “Ouch.”

  “I didn’t mean the tone of your voice. Amy said something similar to me.” The minute the words left Zoe’s mouth she cursed herself. As if Claire needed a reminder of the events of the previous day.