by C. Fonseca
On the cliff-top, the first day they’d met, Andréa Rey had saved her lens cap and captured her attention. In a short time, Andi had ignited her passion. Caitlin wanted everything—she wanted it all.
Caitlin propped her body against the Roadster door. She slowed her breathing and stretched out her tired, overworked muscles. Now physically exhausted, she hoped tonight she might be able to still her mind enough to sleep.
CHAPTER 31
“What the hell were you doing, going out when the sea is treacherous?” Ellie growled. She used a towel to apply firm pressure to the nasty gash above Andi’s knee. A steady flow of blood trickled down Andi’s left leg and onto the wooden deck where she sat.
Andi had somehow managed the short drive home—despite being groggy and disoriented. She was surprised and relieved when she saw Ellie’s car parked in her driveway.
Ellie appeared on the porch as Andi parked the Jeep and helped her out of the car and onto the deck. The shocked expression on her face said it all. Ellie sat her down on a bench and carefully assisted her with removing the ripped wetsuit.
“Did you make contact with the rocks anyplace else?” She scanned the rest of Andi’s body, expeditiously checking for injuries.
“A scrape under my ribs, and my shoulder’s sore.” She winced as Ellie applied even more pressure to the wound on her thigh. “My ribs, here on the left side…damn…” she inclined her head to indicate where it hurt and cringed as Ellie lifted the rash vest.
“Take in a slow, deep breath.”
“Ouch,” Andi cried, as Ellie examined her chest and rib cage.
“Tender?” Ellie continued to explore. “Badly bruised—hopefully nothing worse.” She shook her head. “What about these?” She pointed to the scrapes on Andi’s right calf and ankle.
“Just scratches, nothing serious.” She leaned back against the wooden post as a wave of nausea engulfed her.
“What about this one below your knee? It doesn’t look new. You didn’t do this today.”
“No, that happened a few days ago.”
Ellie rolled her eyes. “Are you light-headed? Nauseous?” She looked closer to examine Andi’s pupils. “Since you’re going to need stitches anyway, I’m taking you to the Medical Centre. You need to be fully checked.” She shook her head in disbelief. “What on earth were you trying to do? Get yourself killed?”
Andi’s thigh throbbed, and she felt like someone had landed a punch to her ribs below her left breast. She’d behaved like an idiot, surfing Bells Beach when the water was unsafe. She’d taken a stupid risk, pushed her body to its limits, and now suffered the consequences.
“You know better, Andi. You’re usually so careful. You know to respect the water,” Ellie said. She sounded exasperated.
Ellie was right. Andi knew that when the winds were strong and blowing on the surface of the water, the waves could be huge and powerful enough to throw even an experienced surfer onto the rocks.
“I was stupid, Ellie. I thought I could handle it. Guess I learned my lesson, huh?” Andi felt sick at the sight of blood, especially her own. She looked away from the once-white beach towel that was now soaked red.
“Okay, I need you to keep your hand on here. Keep the pressure up. We’ll get you inside, cleaned up, and dressed. Then, I’ll drive you to the clinic in town.”
“Do I have to? Is it that bad? Can’t you hold it together with a butterfly strip thingy? The bleeding seems to be easing.”
Ellie shook her head. “No, that won’t do. Unless you want me to get my kit out of the car and sew you up on your workbench? It could make an interesting piece of installation art.” She squinted her eyes and studied Andi. “If you don’t have it stitched, it will take twice as long to heal. It could open up again the minute you move around.” She rubbed her thumb affectionately over Andi’s forehead. “Since I’m not carrying any anaesthetic, you’d have to bite on a piece of bark.”
“Haha, you’re so funny.”
“Stop being a baby, then. Anyway, I’m not going to be held responsible for scarring your beautiful thigh. Come on, let me give you a hand up.”
She allowed Ellie to help her to her feet and wrap a clean towel around her.
Two hours later, they were back home. Andi’s leg was propped up on the armrest of her sofa. The local anaesthetic was wearing off, and Andi felt completely drained of energy. She slumped back on a pile of cushions. Koda licked her hair from where she sat on the back of the sofa.
Ellie handed her a glass of water and two painkillers. “This should help. You’re lucky there was no arterial bleed. So, the twenty stitches on your thigh shouldn’t incapacitate you for too long, but the contusions on your shoulder and ribs will restrict your movement. You’re going to be very sore for a few days—but you’re damn lucky, Andi.”
“I know,” Andi said. With a shaky hand, she pushed her hair out of her eyes. “I was totally irresponsible today. I just wasn’t thinking clearly.”
“What’s going on? I haven’t seen you like this before. Is it something to do with your exhibition?” Andi shook her head. “Then what is it? Caitlin?” Ellie looked at her questioningly.
“She leaves for Ireland in just over a week,” Andi said despondently.
Ellie raised her eyebrows and placed her hands on her hips. “So what did you imagine? You’d kill yourself, and she’d have to cancel her trip?”
“No. Of course not.”
“You told me she’s going to Ireland for her interview. Caitlin hasn’t said she’s not coming back, has she?” Ellie asked.
“No, she’s supposed to be gone for two weeks.”
“Okay, so that part hasn’t changed. But what is going on in your head? Something is triggering this self-destructive behaviour.” Ellie sat down across from Andi and waited. “Spill it.”
“I haven’t seen her since the weekend at the farm. I miss her. I really tried to keep this thing between us light and easygoing. Just tried to have a good time and enjoy her company.” Andi sighed and attempted to shift her leg into a more comfortable position. She grew more miserable by the second. “I always knew she would return to Ireland after her twelve months were up, and I made the decision that I could handle it. It’s not like I was dragged screaming into her arms. It was my choice.”
“But?”
“I talked myself into thinking that I could have a casual relationship with her. I like her a lot, and now I’m scared out of my wits.”
“What are you afraid of, Andi?”
“I may not get the chance to see her before she leaves. I’m scared of how I feel about her. It wasn’t meant to become so hard…” Her eyes welled up with tears; her head was fuzzy. “As if I could help loving her.”
Ellie knelt on the floor in front of the sofa and pulled Andi into her arms. “It’s okay, let it go.” Ellie gently held her, taking care not to make contact with her injured leg or shoulder. “Have you told Caitlin how you feel?”
“No. She told me she loved me,” Andi mumbled softly. She sniffed, and buried her head in Ellie’s shoulder.
“I didn’t catch that. What did you say?”
Andi rubbed her eyes. “She told me she loved me.”
“Oh, Andi, that’s good, isn’t it?” Ellie exclaimed. “How come you’re only telling me this now? How did you respond?”
“I totally went hysterical, got mad, ran away, and then pretended that nothing had changed.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I told her I needed space.” Andi pulled herself into an upright position and winced as her injured leg dragged on the sofa. “God, I am such an idiot.”
“Come on, Andi. Caitlin’s told you she loves you. That does change things, doesn’t it? Think about how Caitlin must feel. She must be a mess.” Ellie gently helped Andi lower her leg to the ground. “I think you should call Caitlin tomorrow. You’re too tired now. Those Panadeine Forte will make you drowsy, and you should sleep.”
Andi ran her hands through her hair and scrubbed at her eyes.
�
��Come on. It’s time you were in bed. You’re totally wiped out. Excuse the pun.” She smiled. “I’m going to sleep on the couch tonight, so I don’t hit your leg by accident. That way I won’t be far away if you need me.”
Andi was exhausted. She stood shakily and leaned her weight against Ellie as they walked to her bedroom. Her last memory that evening, before she drifted into sleep, was blue. Blue swirling ocean, and Caitlin’s deep blue eyes.
* * *
Caitlin had texted Andi every day. She’d emailed her with photographs of their weekend together at the farm. Andi had responded in a courteous, friendly manner. Caitlin didn’t want polite and friendly. She missed the passionate and humorous conversations they’d shared. She missed their physical intimacy. She missed Andi.
She understood that Andi’s controlled, guarded responses were her way of coping. But she couldn’t imagine leaving Australia—even temporarily—without seeing her again.
Isabella had requested her company for an early dinner. She glanced at her watch; it was time to go. She’d decided to ring Andi later that evening and ask if they could meet during the week. If Andi did not give her a definite answer, she would drive down to Hakea in the morning.
Caitlin leaned over the kitchen bench, a whiskey glass in one hand. She sipped the pot-stilled single malt and watched Isabella plate the desert and prepare the coffee.
“I say we make ourselves comfortable by the wood fire,” Isabella said. “It’s a cosy place for us to chat.”
Caitlin stole a sliver of sweetly sour fruit from one of the bowls of caramelised, buttery dessert on the counter.
“Babka’s Bakery is a Melbourne gem,” Isabella claimed. “It produces the stickiest, loveliest apple tarte Tatin I’ve ever tasted. You really shouldn’t have, Caitlin; this will go directly to my hips.” Isabella laughed, adding an extra dollop of cream to her serve.
“I was in Fitzroy with Kim and some of her friends from the museum. I knew it was your favourite. I couldn’t resist.”
“Oh well, a small piece won’t do me any harm. But I will need a good strong cup of coffee to wash it down.” She looked up cheekily and grinned. “I’d better not fudge my Zumba class at the senior citizen’s this week.”
Caitlin laughed. She added another log to the fire before sitting back in the armchair across from Isabella.
“You’re looking tired. You’ve been working too hard, Caitlin.”
“I’ll be away for two whole weeks, and Kim has enough on her plate. We’ve been trying to get ahead.”
“The other two girls you employed are an incredible help, aren’t they? Especially Jane. She’s a lovely young woman.”
Caitlin agreed. Her team had been working well together, and they’d finished installing the artworks.
“When I return, it will be just two weeks before Christmas. Can you believe how time flies? If all goes well, we’ll be ready to open Bella Gallery to the public in late January—right on schedule.”
“Marvellous. You’ve done a fantastic job, darling.”
“It’s been truly a great team to work with, Isabella.”
Caitlin’s phone vibrated where she’d placed it on the mahogany sideboard. They both turned towards it.
“Caitlin, that’s your phone. Do you want to answer it?”
“Do you mind? I wasn’t expecting a call tonight, but I’d better see who it is.”
“Please, go ahead.”
Caitlin picked it up and moved into the hallway. She didn’t recognise the number.
“Hi Caitlin, this is Ellie Anderson. I hope I haven’t disturbed you?”
Caitlin was surprised to hear Ellie’s voice. “It’s okay, Ellie. How are you? Is there something wrong?”
“I’m fine.” Ellie hesitated. “Look, I didn’t want to worry you, but…”
“What’s going on? Is it Andi?”
After another pause, Ellie replied, “She’s asleep now, but she will be pissed off if she knew I was calling you.”
“For goodness sake, Ellie. What is wrong? You are starting to worry me.”
“Andi had an accident while surfing today. She suffered a deep laceration to her left quadricep. Badly bruised ribs and shoulder.” Ellie rattled off the information.
“What on earth happened?” Caitlin could hear the hysteria in her own voice, and Ellie apparently heard it too.
“Calm down, Caitlin. It happened at Bells Beach. She came off her board in rough conditions, but she’s been to the clinic for a full checkup.”
“Damn. How is she really?” Caitlin paced up and down the hallway. She looked at her watch. It was just after nine thirty. Was she able to drive down to Hakea tonight? How many drinks did she have with dinner?
“She did require twenty stitches in her thigh. Though there shouldn’t be any permanent damage to the muscle or function.”
Caitlin refocused while Ellie shared the rest of the details.
“It’s more her mental state I’m worried about,” Ellie said.
Although Caitlin wanted to immediately drive to the coast, Ellie convinced her that Andi was now sedated and sound asleep. It would be better if Caitlin arrived in the morning.
They ended the call with Caitlin partly relieved that Ellie would be with Andi overnight, but she wouldn’t be satisfied until she saw Andi herself. She took a few deep breaths before returning to the living room.
“Caitlin, dear, you’re white as a sheet. What’s happened?”
“It’s Andi. She’s suffered a nasty gash to her thigh and bruising to her shoulder and ribs while surfing. Ellie assures me she’s going to be okay. But I want to see her myself.” Caitlin’s hand trembled as she lifted her empty glass. “I need another drop. Do you mind?”
“Of course not, dear. I only take it for medicinal purposes myself. Please, go ahead and pour yourself a large one.”
She refilled her glass and, with a deep sigh, lowered herself into her chair.
Isabella wanted every detail. “It is fortunate that her friend is a doctor and was on the scene.” Isabella patted her hand. “I’m glad you’ve decided to drive down there in the morning, Caitlin. I know you won’t rest until you’ve seen her for yourself.”
Caitlin hugged Isabella, stepped out into the night, and made her way across the courtyard. The air was clear and cool. She gazed up at the stars and whispered. “Thank you.” From what Ellie had told her about the conditions that day, Andi could have been much more seriously injured.
CHAPTER 32
Andi was confused, disoriented, and bruised, as though she’d spent the night in a tumble dryer. She focused on the murmur of distant voices. It was highly unlikely that Ellie was watching morning television or talking to herself. Who else was in the house?
“Who is it, Koda?” she asked, stroking silky beige fur. Koda meowed softly and nuzzled Andi’s neck. Koda had stayed close to Andi all night.
“What time is it?” Andi drowsily rubbed her eyes and checked her phone. “Ten thirty!” Her eyes slowly adjusted to the bright light coming in through the blinds. She lifted the sheet and examined the nasty bruises and stitches on her upper left thigh. She groaned. “No wonder I can hardly move.”
A noise in the hallway had distracted the young cat, and she’d jumped off the bed. “Hey, where are you going?” Andi asked Koda. She took a deep breath and winced at the pain and tightness below her breasts. Her ribs… Had Ellie said they were broken? She couldn’t remember. Andi turned her head slowly towards the door. “Koda?”
The door opened, and Andi dragged herself into a half-seated position, struggling to cover her naked body with the sheet. “Ellie?”
“Andi.” Strangely, Ellie sounded a lot like Caitlin.
She automatically pulled the sheet up around her shoulders.
“Caitlin?” Was it really Caitlin? Or was she delirious, and her muddled brain was playing tricks on her? Ellie had given her two more tablets sometime during the night. Maybe it was a side effect of the codeine? The apparition—who looked like
Caitlin but couldn’t possibly be Caitlin—knelt beside the bed.
“Hello, you,” Caitlin said in a whisper, and her warm breath tickled Andi’s face. Her brow was drawn together, and her index finger trembled as she traced a scratch below Andi’s chin.
Andi was not hallucinating. She leaned across to grab her T-shirt from the pillow beside her and flinched as she tried to pull it on.
Caitlin gazed at her chest and inhaled sharply as she helped ease the shirt over Andi’s head. Andi couldn’t see her ribs. She didn’t know what they looked like this morning—but they hurt like hell.
Caitlin soothed the material down Andi’s back and sat down beside her. Her touch sent a wave of goose bumps along Andi’s arms.
“When did you get here? Where’s Ellie?” Andi’s mouth was dry.
“About half an hour ago. You were asleep, and I didn’t want to wake you.” Caitlin inched closer. “Ellie’s gone to pick up bread and milk for breakfast.” Caitlin’s hand hovered near the sheet. “Can I see your leg?” she asked.
“It’s okay, really. It probably looks much worse than it is.” Andi pulled the sheet up to reveal her thigh. There was bruising below her knee and the semicircle of stitches. The area around the wound was a nasty shade of crimson and dark-blue, and was swollen.
“Oh Andi. Baby, that looks so painful.”
“No really, it’s not too bad.” She tried to smile. “Out of the two of us, I’m the one that got off lightly. You should see the shark.” Andi smirked.
Caitlin looked puzzled, then frowned. “That is not funny. This isn’t a joke. You could have been more seriously hurt. And you were alone… What if you were struck unconscious on the rocks…or you got tangled in your board ropes or…” Tears spilled down Caitlin’s cheeks.
Andi drew her into her arms. “I’m sorry, Caitlin,” she mumbled. She curled up against her, and Caitlin tightened her hold around her. Andi flinched.
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Caitlin tried to move, but Andi held on.
“I’m okay, Caitlin. Or I will be. I just have some bruises and scrapes.” They held each other silently for a few moments. “I don’t want to move, but if I don’t get up and use the bathroom, I’ll have an accident.” She grinned weakly.
