by Lucy Clark
He shrugged. ‘The teacher let us out early.’
‘Good. Good. Uh…honey, Joe wants to take you out.’
‘Really? He does?’
She tried not to get too concerned about the look of disbelieving pleasure on her son’s face. ‘Sure, then I’ll come and pick you up and the three of us will have dinner.’ It did occur to her that Joe hadn’t actually agreed to dinner, but tough luck. He was lumbered with the two of them whether he liked it or not.
‘Awesome. Can I leave my bag here?’
‘Of course. I’ll bring it later.’
‘You’re the greatest, Mum. I’m going to tell Helen.’ And with that, he rushed off.
Once more Rachael forced herself to remain under control. It was all right. Declan had gone out with other people plenty of times. He’d gone to lots of different places with his friends back in Cairns. He’d gone out with her parents and had spent time away from her on school camps, so why was she so worried about a few hours with his father?
The answer came hard on the question’s heels. Because Joe had the power to hurt him.
Rachael continued to go through the calming exercises she’d been using for years and finally called her next patient through. The sooner she finished here, the sooner she could head out to the studio to see exactly what it was Joe did when he wasn’t here.
Her last few patients seemed to want to chat and she finished over an hour later than she was supposed to. She took the patient files out to Helen and was thankful when the other woman didn’t keep her talking.
‘Go and see how the boys are getting on.’
‘Try and stop me,’ she muttered, heading out to her car. She followed the directions to the studio Helen had handed her, and was pleased to find there was no problem about her wandering around in the area roped off to tourists. The theme park was a place she wanted to return to, but for now she had other matters on her mind…namely finding her son.
‘Excuse me,’ she said, stopping a man who wore an official-looking badge on a chain around his neck. ‘I’m looking for Joe Silvermark.’
‘Ah, Joe. Joe’s through here.’ The man led her into a large hangar. To Rachael’s surprise it contained several sets and equipment.
‘Have you finished for the day?’
‘We’ve nailed one scene but the major stunt is after dinner. Mind the cables.’ He took her through the building. ‘Have you known Joe long?’
‘Well…’ She glanced at his badge again. ‘Er…Wong, it’s a long story.’
‘You the boy’s mother?’ Wong nodded, answering his own question. ‘Of course. You’re very beautiful. I can see why Joe likes you and why he needed to pound his frustrations out on the punching bag.’ Wong chuckled to himself. ‘They’re out here.’ They continued to the other side of the hangar and came out the other end. ‘Over there.’
Wong pointed to a large crane set up on the back lot. Rachael’s eyes took a moment to adjust to being back out in the daylight. ‘They’ll be down in a minute.’ Wong smiled at his own joke, and as he spoke she saw a person jump off the crane.
Her heart leapt into her throat before she realised the person was bungee jumping. Down—then back up, and then down again. It was then she realised Joe was the person doing the human yo-yo impersonation.
‘Oh, my gosh. I can’t believe he just did that.’ She placed her hand on her chest, surprised to find it pounding hard.
‘Joe? He’s done it thousands of times. He’s just trying to give the boy confidence.’
‘Boy? What boy?’ Rachael squinted as she peered up to the top of the crane. There was a small platform there, and to her complete horror she realised the figure standing up there, waiting to jump, was her son.
‘Declan!’ His name came out in a terrified whisper.
CHAPTER FOUR
‘JOSEPH MITCHELL SILVERMARK!’
Rachael had waited while Joe had been hoisted back up to the top and had had his bungee cord removed. As Joe had climbed back down the ladder, the anger in her was ready to burst. She stormed over to her ex-husband.
‘Rach! You’re earlier than we expected.’ If it was possible for him to blanch, she was sure he did.
‘You get him down from there this instant.’
‘He’s all right, Rach. He wants to do it.’
‘He suffers from anxiety and stress, Joe. Didn’t I tell you that? He might be freaking out right now and—’
‘If he changes his mind, it’s fine. He can come down the normal way.’
‘I can’t believe you’ve done this. You’ve been with him for a few hours and you’re already putting him in danger.’
‘Rachael—’
‘No, Joe. Don’t you ‘‘Rachael’’ me. If he ends up with nightmares tonight, I’m the one who’ll be looking after him.’
‘Nightmares? Rachael, he’s almost fifteen.’
‘And that just shows how much you know about him. You don’t think ahead, Joe. You just go with whatever whim you—’
‘Ready,’ a bloke called out and Rachael was paralysed to the spot as she heard a cry.
‘Three, two, one, bungee!’
‘I think I’m going to be sick,’ she muttered, and felt her knees weaken. Joe’s arm came about her shoulders and she leaned into him, not wanting to watch but unable to take her eyes off her son for an instant. Declan hesitated and then jumped off—flying down towards them with his arms out wide.
She was positive the rope wasn’t going to stop him. Positive he was going to hit the ground with a thud and break every bone in his body—at the least.
But just as had happened with Joe, the rope caught him like a giant spring and sent him back up again. She didn’t even want to contemplate the damage that might be done to his spine, being jerked around like that.
‘He’s fine, Rach. Breathe. Breathe.’ Joe’s words penetrated her head and she belatedly sucked air into her lungs. ‘See. He’s fine.’ Joe squeezed her shoulder before running over to where Declan’s bounce was practically at an end.
Rachael watched as her son was hoisted back to the top before he was unhooked. Joe had climbed the steps once more to be there for his son. She watched as Declan wrapped his arms around Joe and the almost hesitant way Joe put his arms around his son for the first time.
A lump formed in her throat and she closed her eyes against the tears that were threatening to overflow. When she opened them it was to find them both climbing down the steps, and when her son’s feet were safely back on terra firma, Rachael let out a deep sigh.
Declan rushed over and threw his arms about her shoulders. ‘Mum! Mum! Wasn’t that amazing?’ His face was alive with an exuberant delight Rachael had never seen before. He couldn’t stand still and reminded her of when he’d been a little boy and had desperately needed to go to the toilet. ‘Wow! I can’t believe I just did that.’ He let out a loud whoop which made her jump. ‘So cool.’ He turned to face his father. ‘That was the best. You were right, Joe. How cool!’
Joe looked at Rachael. ‘See? He’s fine.’
But are you? Rachael wanted to ask him. She could see a hint of stunned bewilderment in Joe’s gaze at the way Declan had embraced him. Would he ever get used to the affectionate ways of their son? She certainly hoped so because if he didn’t, it could destroy Declan.
‘What’s next?’ Declan asked, and Joe laughed.
‘That’s it for tonight, mate. I think your mother’s had enough surprises over the last forty-eight hours.’ He leaned closer to Declan and said in a lower voice, ‘And I’m trying to get back into her good books.’
‘Really?’ Rachael knew she was supposed to hear the comment and could see the teasing glint in Joe’s blue eyes. ‘Why would you want to do that, Joe?’
‘Ah, trade secret. Right now, though…’ he rubbed his hands together in delight ‘…it’s time for dinner. Unfortunately, I need to stay close to the studio as we haven’t finished and will probably be going for a few more hours, but if you don’t mind eating wit
h the rest of the cast and crew, there’s a great feast put on just over there.’ He pointed towards another large hangar.
‘Cool. Are the actors going to be there?’
Joe nodded.
Declan looked at his mother. ‘Can we? Please? Joe told me who the lead actor is, and he’s the same guy from the movie we watched last night, Mum. And he’s just through there.’ Declan pointed to the hangar. ‘Can we, Mum? Please? I promise I’ll do my homework the instant we get back to the hotel. Please?’
It had been so many years since Declan had pleaded for anything that Rachael was inclined to give in right there and then. She looked at Joe and then back at her son. Both were wearing identical expressions, just like small children who really wanted to open their Christmas presents early. She couldn’t help it and burst out laughing, feeling the tension of the past few days ease out of her.
‘Does that mean yes?’ Declan asked.
‘All right, but so long as we’re not intruding?’
‘Yes!’ Declan pumped the air with his fist before leaning over to kiss her cheek. ‘You’re the greatest.’
Joe leaned over and kissed her other cheek. ‘You are the greatest.’ He looked at his son. ‘Let’s go eat.’
Declan linked his arm through his mother’s on one side and Joe followed suit on the other. Between the two of them, she was almost propelled into the room where there seemed to be hundreds of people sitting at tables, eating and laughing. The noise was so loud she thought she’d need earplugs. Joe found them a table and then took Declan over to meet the lead actors. Rachael watched Joe, his chest puffed out proudly as he introduced his son. She actually saw the words ‘my son’ form on Joe’s lips and sighed with relief. Joe had accepted Declan.
He motioned for her to come over but she felt too self-conscious and shook her head. She liked watching the two of them together and was still astounded at the similarities. Joe had been nineteen when they’d met, and that’s how old Declan would be in just over four years’ time. They had the same physique, although Declan was still a miniature version, his shoulders not as broad, his height less…but she knew he’d get there. She’d known from the instant she’d first held her son that he was going to be as devastatingly handsome as his father.
Rachael closed her eyes, praying she’d done the right thing by letting Declan get to know Joe. Would Joe hurt him the way he’d hurt her? She had no idea but, whatever happened, both she and Declan would work it out…somehow.
She opened her eyes and discovered they’d gone. She quickly scanned the room and found them at the large buffet, loading food onto their plates, both of them laughing. When had Declan last been this animated? She couldn’t remember. For the past few years since he’d started high school, he’d been very serious, very dedicated to his work and sometimes pushing himself way too hard. Sure, they’d joked and laughed but not like this.
They headed over, both carrying trays loaded with food. ‘Here’s one for you,’ Declan said, handing her a plate. ‘I wasn’t sure whether you liked prawns but Joe told me you did.’
‘Well, she used to.’ His gaze met Rachael’s and she felt her heart rate increase with delighted excitement. He was looking at her as though he’d just won the lottery and didn’t have a clue what to do with the winnings. Was that look for her? Was it because of Declan? Either way, it was creating havoc with her equilibrium. The smile on his lips was small yet intimate—she remembered it well.
‘He’s right. I do like them.’
‘Oh. Can I try one?’
‘Sure.’ Rachael was pleasantly surprised that her son was willing to try a new food.
‘But if you like it, you can get your own,’ Joe added, pinching one off Rachael’s plate and showing him how to shell the prawn.
‘Delicious. We should have these at least once a week, Mum.’ Declan was out of his chair and heading to the buffet again.
Rachael laughed in astonishment. ‘Once a week. Oh, sure, son,’ she said to his retreating back.
Joe joined in her laughter. ‘I guess he doesn’t have any idea how much they cost.’
‘So?’
‘So, what?’
‘Joe. You’ve obviously decided you want to get to know Declan better, but for how long?’
He shrugged. ‘I don’t know, Rach. He’s a great kid.’
‘No argument there, and you’ve only spent a few hours with him.’
Joe stole another prawn off her plate.
‘Hey! Get your own.’ She slapped playfully at his hand but he was too quick for her. ‘I will say that Declan has many moods.’ She grinned at him. ‘Just like his father.’ Joe merely raised his eyebrows and continued peeling the prawn. ‘I think it’s wise for you to spend time with him but I reiterate what I said yesterday—I won’t have him hurt.’
‘I agree with you.’ He ate the seafood and wiped his fingers on a napkin. ‘I hardly slept last night.’
‘Join the club.’ Declan returned with a huge plateful of food. ‘Declan!’
‘It’s all right, Mum. Ivan—he’s the cook up there—said I could take whatever I wanted, especially as I was Joe’s son. He said that Joe saved his life a few years ago and he thinks he’s the best person in the world.’
They both looked at Joe who seemed highly uncomfortable with the praise. He shrugged. ‘It’s just the job. Ivan used to be a stuntman and he was in a bad accident and…You know the drill, Rach. As doctors, we do what it takes.’
Rachael nodded but wasn’t surprised to find such high praise about the man sitting opposite her. ‘So you’ve been doing this movie work for some time now?’
‘Five years. It’s not full-time, only when there’s a movie being shot here, and that’s usually once every six months. It also depends on the number of stunts they do. Sometimes we’re here, sometimes we’re on location.’
‘So you share your time between here and the clinic for six months, and the other six months?’
He smiled. ‘I’m full-time at the clinic.’
‘So for six months you work like a normal person and for the other six months you get to play around on a movie set, eating copious amounts of food.’
Joe grinned. ‘Fringe benefits.’ He shrugged nonchalantly. ‘There’s not much to my life at all. No dramas, no excitement. Boring ol’ Joe, that’s me.’
She laughed, not believing a word he said. ‘Your nonchalance gives you away every time, Joe.’ It was one of his defensive weapons but she’d broken through it before. When he was doing something nice for someone and he didn’t want anyone to know about it, nonchalance was his best friend. Joe didn’t think he warranted praise about Ivan and she understood his comment about just doing his job, but sometimes people went above and beyond the call of duty.
Although, she reflected, he hadn’t been nonchalant on the day he’d asked for the annulment. That had been how she’d known he’d been serious. At first she’d thought he’d been joking, then defensive, then pushing her away for some reason, but in the end—as he’d stood firm in his convictions—she’d realised he hadn’t really wanted her for anything but sex.
Rachael pushed the thought away. Now was definitely not the time. Looking down at her plate, she realised she’d eaten far more than she’d thought and now felt a little queasy. She glanced across at Declan’s plate and was surprised to find him almost finished. ‘Where do you put it all?’ she asked rhetorically, smiling at her son.
‘I’m a growing kid, Mum.’
‘Don’t go overboard on the prawns. I don’t want you getting stomachache.’
‘Spoken like a true mother,’ Declan teased, and they laughed.
A bell rang, startling her.
‘What’s that?’ Declan asked the question on her lips.
‘Five more minutes and we’re to be back on set.’
‘Can we stay?’ Again, her son’s imploring blue gaze was settled on her.
‘Actually, it might be fun to watch,’ Joe said. ‘We’re filming a stunt.’
; ‘Do the actors do them?’ Declan asked.
‘Sometimes, but not tonight. This one’s too dangerous.’
‘But not for the stunt team, right?’ His boyish eyes were wide with unrepressed excitement.
Joe smiled. ‘That’s right. Wong—you met him earlier—is the stunt coordinator and he and his team are going to jump a car between two trucks.’
‘Sounds dangerous.’ Rachael frowned.
‘There’s an element of danger in all stunts, Rach. Wong and his team have rehearsed the stunt and calculated everything down to the nth degree.’
‘Accidents do happen, though, Joe.’
‘Yes, they do, and that’s why I’m here. Tonight there will also be the fire brigade and at least one ambulance on set. All precautions are taken and we all know what jobs we need to do.’
‘Maybe we’d better not stay.’ She watched as Declan’s face fell.
‘If you think you’re going to be in the way, don’t. I wouldn’t let you stay if I thought that.’
Rachael checked her watch, admitting she was curious as well. Declan once more wore his pleading face. ‘OK, but not for long.’
‘You’re the greatest, Mum.’ He smiled at her in that familiar way which she knew would someday have the women melting at his feet—just like his father.
They finished eating and made their way back with the rest of the cast and crew. They headed in the opposite direction from where they had been before, and soon found themselves on a back lot which was a huge piece of tarmac. She was surprised to find how dark it had become while they’d been eating, but the back lot was lit with enormous spotlights, ensuring everyone could see quite clearly what was going on.
Rachael was fascinated as she watched the second unit director and Wong give last-minute instructions to the stunt team. There were people everywhere, manning cameras, rigging explosions, taping down cables, all working together towards one common goal.
Joe took Rachael and Declan over to the medical section and reintroduced them to Smitty and his ambulance colleague.
‘A lovely surprise to see you again so soon,’ Smitty said to Rachael as he shook her hand, holding it for a fraction of a second longer than was necessary. Joe glared daggers at him.
