Dastardly Deeds
Page 23
The voices exploded into babble as I was wrenched into the helicopter itself. There were hands everywhere, all over me, and I didn’t want to open my eyes lest the owners not be equal to my imagination. And now I was lying down, being wrapped in something that crinkled noisily. A mask was slipped over my face and I felt a needle slide into the vein of my arm. I could hear my teeth chattering but it was a sound I was well used to. I let it carry me off to sleep.
*
When I came to, I was sheathed in light. The babble of voices was still there but now there were female ones also. They swirled melodiously around me, unintelligible, bouncing back and forth. The crinkly material was silver, like aluminium foil, and I knew that it was supposed to increase my body heat. I still felt cold though. A policeman was there, asking me a series of questions in stilted English. I answered croakily as best I could until he was chased away. Another face loomed, murmuring soothing words that I didn’t understand. She adjusted an IV that hung near my head, and seconds later I drifted away once more.
And now it was silent, even the noisy foil was gone. I stared at the white-tiled ceiling for a few minutes and then twisted my head to take in my surroundings. My head throbbed. I knew instantly that I was in a hospital room. There was a chair in the corner and a window with the blind pulled down. Light glimmered around the edges. On the other side of the room was an industrial-looking bedside cabinet with a lamp. The door was closed but an inset window reflected fluorescent light from the hallway. I could also see an IV stand with tubing snaking all the way down to a bandage around the crook of my elbow. I was wearing a soft, white gown but felt weighted down, like I had been tucked in too tight. There was a buzzer lying next to one hand. The other was firmly fixed beneath the blanket.
I had survived. I had been flung off a cruise ship, fallen god knows how many storeys into the sea, where I had remained for an entire night, alongside a murderer, and I had survived. I was more surprised than relieved. My eyelids drooped and I wallowed in the pleasure of letting them fall, not fighting the feeling. I dozed off and on until the sound of a rattling trolley in the corridor woke me more fully. I suddenly realised that I was ravenous.
One push of the buzzer summoned an efficient nurse with a broad smile and limited English. She bustled around the bed, checking my blood pressure and pulse, before opening the blind. Light streamed into the room.
‘Where am I?’ I asked, making a sweeping gesture with my loose hand.
She smiled and then uttered a series of words from which only ‘Kalamata’ was distinguishable. It also sounded like there was an Eskimo in there but I was discounting that.
‘Kalamata?’ I repeated questioningly. My voice was like dry gravel.
‘Nai,’ she said, nodding. ‘Ellada. Greece.’
‘Ah.’ I was in Greece, home of Athena. It seemed fitting. ‘Do you know what happened to my friend? Tessa? Is she all right?’
The nurse frowned for a moment, and then her face cleared. She adjusted my bed until I was semi-sitting. Now I could see that there were three plastic sandbag-like contraptions lining either side of my bed, securing the blankets all the way to my neck. They radiated heat. The nurse readjusted the bags to allow for upper body movement. She held up a finger and then left the room, reappearing moments later with a platter of sandwiches and a cup of tea. I had never seen anything so delicious-looking in my life. Whatever had happened to Tessa had already happened; it was out of my hands. I filled them with sandwiches instead, eating steadily as I stared out the window at the rooftops.
The nurse came back as I finished. She checked my vitals again and then collected the crockery. ‘Good?’ she asked, in accented English.
‘Delicious,’ I said, rubbing my stomach. Even my headache had settled. ‘Ah, is there any chance I could borrow a laptop? Or an iPad?’
‘Laptop … iPad?’ she repeated. She grimaced and then shrugged unconvincingly before holding up her finger once more. This time she was gone a long while and I had almost given up when she returned with a beaming smile, iPad in hand. ‘Mine,’ she said. ‘Na prosecheis. Be careful.’
‘Thank you!’
‘Eucharistisi mou,’ she said, before holding up both hands with her fingers splayed. She either meant stop right now or in ten minutes. I opted for the latter.
As she left, I flipped the iPad open and noted that it was currently 3 pm. I found the icon for Safari. Everything was in Greek but I typed in a few keywords, including Australian newspaper, and a screen full of options in English appeared. I clicked on the first. Hope fades for three Australian women who plummeted from cruise ship. I wasn’t sure I was that fond of the word ‘plummet’, with its inference of weight. The article itself offered little further detail, having been published only a few hours after we fell. I checked the timings and found one that had come out that morning. Search resumes for Australian women who fell from cruise ship. This article included our names and even a photograph of me, the publicity one used for my column. I was described as a ‘noted columnist’. Clearly my editor had contributed. I approved.
I had seven minutes left from my allotted ten. I took a deep breath and logged into my email account. By now everybody would have been notified of my rescue, but this was still not going to be pretty.
Chapter 30
I always give my sister a subscription for her birthday and a friend suggested the paper with your column in it. Do you think she’d like it?
From: Majic Backyard Beavers
Date: Friday 2 May 2014 5.03PM
To: Nell Forrest
Subject: Booking at 3 Forrest Lane
Attachment: invoice
Dear Ms Forrest, this is the third time I have attended as arranged to find nobody at home. I have attached my invoice here. I should also tell you that an unrestrained white dog attacked me on the property. I will be reporting this to the council.
Majic Backyard Beavers
From: Ali Cornish
Date: Friday 2 May 2014 6.12PM
To: Nell
Subject: Marvellous Athena!!!!
Dear Nell,
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!! The Istanbul piece was okay but the Athens one is the best thing I have read of yours for ages! We’ve already hooked it up with some advertising from a travel agent. So good to see you back in the saddle. More please!
Best,
Ali Cornish
Features Editor
From: RenaissanceBooks@tpg.com.au
Date: Saturday 3 May 2014 5.48PM
To: eaf@bigpond.com.au
Subject:
I am very, very angry.
Your mother
From: Lucy
Date: Saturday 3 May 2014 6.30PM
To: Darling One and Only Mum
Subject: CRYING TEARS OF JOY
Darling, darling Mum. I am SO GLAD you are alive. When Ruby rang I couldn’t believe it. What happened?? Scarlet and I went round to Grandma’s house. She is VERY ANGRY with you. But only because she loves you. I am never letting you go away again. You must stay here FOREVER. I hope you’re okay and are not too waterlogged! It’s in all the newspapers!!! All my friends have been ringing. Ring me as soon as you can! And this is from Willow: lll;;ll;;l;;l;;l’;l’;
Lots of love ALWAYS,
Lucy
xxxooxxx
From: Scarlet Blake-Forrest
Date: Saturday 3 May 2014 6.33PM
To: Mum
Subject: So happy you’re okay!
Heart attack central!! I just heard the news that you’ve been found and are okay. I can’t tell you how relieved Matthew and I are. Today was horrible. So worried about you. Can you please ring me as soon as you are able to let me know what happened? We’re not getting many details at the moment. Love you.
Love, Scarlet (and Matthew and Jack)
From: Petra
Date: Saturday 3 May 2014 10.18AM
To: Nell
Subject: I am going to kill you
I never, ever want to go through another night like that for as long as I live. What the hell happened? How did you FALL OFF A CRUISE SHIP? It was chaos here even before they found the lifebuoy things missing. Plus some blood (was it yours?). Then everyone went nuts. Ashley got into a fight with Donald and had to be dragged off by Scott and Nick. I thought Darcy was going to jump as well at one stage (probably imagining single parenthood). Lew was just yelling – into the phone, at security, at everyone. Deb vomited all over a chair. It was a fun night. I have to warn you, though, if you think I’m annoyed, wait till you speak to Yen. She is NOT HAPPY.
Love, Petra
From: Ali Cornish
Date: Saturday 3 May 2014 7.24PM
To: Nell
Subject: Best wishes
Oh my god!!! Thinking of you and so glad you’re okay. What an ordeal!!! Where should we send flowers? Also, no rush, but when you’re feeling up to it, could you put together something? Great opportunity for some publicity.
Best,
Ali Cornish
Features Editor
From: Bronte Blake-Forrest
Date: Saturday 3 May 2014 7.48PM
To: Mum
Subject: What the hell?
Hi Mum, HOW DO YOU FALL OFF A CRUISE-SHIP???
Love,
Red
PS: So incredibly glad you’re okay
From: Lyn Russo
Date: Saturday 3 May 2014 12.08PM
To: Nell Forrest
Subject: Best wishes!!!!!
We heard the news just now!! Michael and I are so relieved to hear that you are all okay. Unbelievable!!! I was just saying to Michael that I KNEW those railings were unsafe! We’d send flowers but I don’t know how those things work over here. We have all had the most amazing family time but I’m quite looking forward to getting home where everything is normal! Anyway, best wishes and stay away from the water!
Lots of love, Lyn, Michael & Griffin ☺
From: Petra
Date: Saturday 3 May 2014 1.05PM
To: Nell
Subject: Re: I am going to kill you
I can’t believe it was Phoebe!!! We were just told. Everyone is in shock. We’ve just arrived in Athens and Lew has organised a minibus to take us down to Kalamata or wherever the hell you are. Way to see Europe!
Love, Petra
Chapter 31
Dear Nell, you probably remember me. I met you at that writers’ festival last year. I was the one with the brown hair who said I read you all the time. Just thought I’d touch base to say hello as it has been a while ☺
A plump policeman with an impressively patrician nose had just finished getting a signature on my statement when Ruby poked her head around the door. She waited until he left the room, and then hurried over to the bed to lay her head against my shoulder. Quinn followed. I patted both of them ineffectually.
‘Mum,’ said Quinn simply. Her voice sounded damp. ‘I’m sorry I was, like, such a bitch.’
‘Oh, Quinn.’ I pulled back so that I could see her face. ‘This wasn’t anything to do with you. It wasn’t your fault.’
‘I know that. But the last thing I said to you was that I’d rather be with my friends. I didn’t want you to die like that.’
‘I didn’t want you to die at all,’ said Ruby loyally.
‘Me either,’ I said. ‘And I didn’t.’
Ruby hugged me, holding on a little longer than was comfortable. Then she kissed me on the cheek and pulled the chair closer before flopping down. ‘Could you not do that again? I’m seriously not ready to be a half-orphan.’
I thought of the long night just gone. ‘I have no intention of doing that again.’
‘Good. Love your voice, by the way.’ She put one foot up on the side of the bed. ‘They said that woman pushed you and Tessa off the ship and then jumped herself. And that she also killed that woman at Gallipoli. Is that right?’
‘Not quite.’ I glanced up as Petra slipped into the room. She came over to stand by my bed, her hands folded before her. She looked like she was at a funeral.
‘Took ages to find your room,’ she said. ‘You’re tucked away in a corner.’
‘Sorry.’
‘You gave me quite a fright.’
‘Yes, I got your email. But I’m not going to apologise, seeing as it wasn’t my fault.’
‘Fair enough.’ She examined me. ‘Cute outfit. Love the way it slips off the shoulder.’
I adjusted the hospital gown. ‘No excuse not to look one’s best. What’s the time? Have you heard any news about Tessa?’
‘Ten past five and apparently she’s doing okay. Darcy’s with her now. Lew and Deb too. Your voice matches the outfit. Are you going for the seductive look?’
‘Anyway, what wasn’t quite?’ asked Ruby. ‘You said it wasn’t quite. Didn’t she kill that woman in Gallipoli?’
I shook my head. ‘No, probably not. Plus she didn’t exactly jump off the ship.’ I glanced at Petra. ‘She made Tessa and I climb over the railing but then I wrapped my arms around her too. So when we went, we all went.’
‘Good,’ said Quinn. ‘Whose was the blood?’
‘Tessa’s.’
‘What’s the lump on your head then?’
‘That’s where she punched me.’
‘Bitch.’ She picked up one of my remaining two sandbags and hefted the weight from one hand to another. ‘Hey, these are cool. Can I have one?’
Ruby had pulled out her mobile phone. She stood to take several photos of me, and then leant in so that she could be in one also. I smiled awkwardly. She sat back down, her fingers flying over the keys. ‘Just sending some photos to the guys. Scarlet made me promise.’
‘Oh good.’ I ran my fingers through my hair. ‘What do I look like?’
‘Alive,’ said Petra simply. ‘That’s all they want to see.’
Ruby glanced up from her phone. ‘What I want to know is why she wanted to push you and Tessa off. What did you do to her?’
‘Nothing, really. I think she had an obsession about women who she thought got more attention than they deserved. Who flirted with men.’
Quinn snickered. ‘Well, that explains Tessa, but why you?’
‘So she didn’t kill Kim Satchwell?’ asked Petra, frowning. ‘It was a robbery after all? What about the ten lira note?’
‘Clint must have had them printed. Probably cheaper in bulk. Unless Phoebe just didn’t want to admit to that one too.’
‘Scarlet and Lucy said can you ring them soon,’ said Ruby, staring at her phone. ‘Red too. She sent her mobile number.’ She looked up. ‘Don’t you have it?’
‘Of course I do.’
‘What did it feel like when you were falling?’ asked Quinn curiously.
‘Long.’
‘What about when you hit the water? I’d have thought you’d break bones.’
‘Fortunately not.’
The door was pushed open by an older nurse with salt-and-pepper hair. She held it in place as Deb pushed Lew into the room, her eyes zeroing in on me. She left her husband at the foot of the bed and came around to squeeze past Ruby and hug me.
‘I am so, so sorry.’
‘Not your fault.’
‘But she was my friend.’ She pulled back to gaze at me. Her eyes were puffy. ‘I’ve known her for years. I should have known. I should have guessed.’
‘No one did,’ said Lew gently. He reached out to pat my foot as he continued speaking to his wife. ‘Not even the police who investigated Anna’s accident. You can’t blame yourself. She was mentally ill. Nell doesn’t blame you.’
‘I certainly don’t. Have you seen Tessa?’
Deb nodded. ‘Dar
cy’s with her. She’s … all right. She said hello. So did Scott. He flew out from Rome. Don’t think he could face coming here. He’s pretty cut up.’
‘Nick’s gone too,’ added Petra. ‘He sent his best wishes. And Enid, but she’s still in Rome. Said she was too old for minibuses. We deposited her at a hotel before we left and last seen she was asking at reception about this casino in Venice.’
‘Did you see any sharks?’ asked Quinn of me. ‘Or dolphins?’
I shook my head impatiently. If Enid managed to lose herself casino-hopping across Europe, at least I couldn’t be held responsible. She had disappeared on Petra’s watch. I smiled at Lew, keeping my tone deliberately casual. ‘A minibus, hey? Very impressive. So, who else came?’
Lew grinned. ‘Well, let me see. Us, of course, and Darcy. And Donald came along. Plus, let me think … oh, that’s right. Ashley as well.’
The older nurse entered the room pushing a rattling blood pressure monitor. ‘Sorry, but I must ask you all to leave for a few minutes.’
‘I vote we reconvene in the cafeteria,’ suggested Lew. ‘I’m starving.’
This suggestion was greeted with enthusiasm. Within moments I had been hugged again and my visitors were departing. Donald arrived and was able to say a brief hello before being swept out in the tide. The nurse took my vitals, along with some blood, and then loaded my IV onto a mobile stand so that she could help me to the bathroom. My legs felt significantly stronger, but still weak.