Wildfire

by Susan Lewis

  ‘Are you asleep?’ Lizzy whispered into the darkness.

  Andy turned his head and kissed her briefly on the nose. ‘No,’ he answered.

  ‘What time is it?’

  Raising his wrist into the paling rays of moonlight slanting in through the shutters he said, ‘Nearly half four.’

  Lizzy smiled sleepily and curling in closer to him listened for a while to nature’s pandemonium outside. ‘Have you slept at all?’ she asked.

  ‘No.’

  ‘What were you thinking about?’

  ‘A lot of things,’ he answered, smiling as her stomach gave a protracted growl of hunger. ‘That’s what hapens when you skip dinner,’ he told her.

  ‘Are you hungry?’ she said, turning to look at him.

  ‘A bit.’

  ‘Shall we go and find a kitchen to raid?’

  Laughing, he pulled her on top of him and squeezed her tightly. ‘Sounds like a good idea to me,’ he said.

  But neither of them made a move to get up and as she settled back down against him, her cheek resting on the hard, comfortable plain of his chest, her throat tightened with the almost forgotten joy of what it was like to feel a man’s arms around her.

  ‘What was that?’ she whispered as a frantic screeching momentarily drowned the other sounds.

  ‘Baboons,’ he answered.

  There was a moment’s silence before they both started to laugh. Then rearranging their positions, they lay facing each other, legs entwined, fingers idling stroking each other’s arms. His tanned, rugged features were softened by the first glimmers of dawn seeping into the room, his eyes showed no trace of their sleepless night.

  She’d wondered if telling him about Richard would change the way he felt about her, for it would be obvious that she still loved her husband and maybe Andy would see that as a threat. But, as his dark-blue eyes moved across her face, following the trail of his fingers, she could feel herself starting to relax and turning her mouth to his palm she kissed it and hugged it to her cheek.

  A long time passed as they continued to gaze into each other’s eyes, barely aware of the stirring sounds of daybreak, the rhythmic hum of the fan or the fine gauze of the net that fluttered gently around them. Uppermost in both their minds was the fact that in a few hours she would be leaving.

  At last his mouth covered hers, caressing her lips gently with his own as he eased her body in closer and began very slowly, very tenderly, to make love to her.

  When it was over they lay in each other’s arms listening to the steadying beat of their hearts and the inescapable tick of the clock.

  ‘I can’t stay, Andy, you know that, don’t you?’ she said finally.

  He started to speak, swallowed, then said, ‘Yes, I know that.’

  She looked down at the dark hair curling on his chest and combed it lightly with her fingers. ‘Did you mean it when you asked me?’ she said.

  He shrugged.

  She smiled. ‘Does that mean you don’t know?’

  ‘It means that right now I’m afraid of saying the wrong thing.’

  ‘Why not just say what’s in your mind?’ she suggested.

  ‘No, I don’t want to do that.’

  They were quiet again then, as, not for the first time, she tried to imagine what life would be like here, in the depths of the bush and so very far from London. But no matter how idyllic and romantic it seemed, in her heart she knew that she was no more cut out for this kind of life than Andy was for the city. Besides, what did she really know about him, apart from the fact that, though he would probably rather die than ever admit it, he was as lonely and starved of affection as she was?

  ‘Have you ever been in love? she asked.

  He thought about it for a moment. ‘I guess there have been a couple of times when I’ve come close,’ he answered.

  Resisting the temptation to ask about those women she said, ‘What would you have done if I’d said I wanted to stay?’

  His face tensed, then seeming to relax again he said, ‘To tell you the truth I didn’t expect you to say yes.’

  ‘But you asked anyway?’

  He shrugged.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Search me. No one was more surprised than me when I said it.’

  ‘Except me,’ she laughed.

  When there was no answering laugh she realized that she was in danger of allowing a pathetic search for reassurance to become a twisting knife in his pride. ‘I’m really glad this happened between us,’ she said, reaching up to stroke his face. ‘It’s, well, it’s made me feel whole again and . . .’

  ‘Always happy to oblige,’ he replied, looking at his watch. ‘That’s what we’re here for, to keep the customers happy.’

  ‘Andy don’t! It meant more than that, to both of us . . .’

  ‘There were three of us, remember?’

  ‘Oh, for God’s sake! You’re just being childish now,’ she cried, pulling away from him.

  He let her go and lay moodily on his back, his hands behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling. Beside him Lizzy circled her legs with her arms and rested her chin on her knees.

  Long minutes ticked by as the air simmered with their antagonism and the distant commotion of the camp coming to life carried on the early morning breeze.

  ‘Shit, there’s no point to this,’ he suddenly growled and throwing back the net he got abruptly up from the bed and reached for his shorts.

  Lizzy turned to look at him, watching him as he hoiked the shorts angrily up over his legs.

  ‘Andy, I don’t see why . . .’

  ‘Don’t say any more,’ he snapped, cutting her off. ‘We’ve gone as far as we’re going so let’s not drag it out, eh?’

  ‘And let’s not finish it like this,’ she cried.

  He continued dressing, his whole body radiating anger as he zipped up his fly and buckled his belt. As he reached for his gun, Lizzy got up and walked around the bed towards him. ‘Why are you so angry?’ she said.

  ‘Angry?’ he replied scathingly. ‘Who’s angry? I’ve just made a right fool of myself . . .’

  ‘How?’ she cried. ‘Because you asked me to stay?’

  ‘No, because I actually believed you might,’ he yelled and yanking open the door he stormed off furiously into the rosy hues of dawn.

  Lizzy stood where she was, watching the fly screen click gently into place. Though she was smarting she understood why he’d behaved the way he had, for a man as eligible as he was obviously wasn’t used to being turned down – and, for the moment anyway, it appeared that the ignominy was too much for his male ego to handle. The most incredible part of it, though, to him as well as to her it seemed, was that he had actually thought she might accept his offer. Well, she had to confess that she had considered it, but only fleetingly and even then only as a flight of fancy.

  ‘I mean,’ she said to Rhiannon when they met up for breakfast later, ‘do I strike you as a zoo-keeper’s wife?’

  ‘It’s hardly a zoo,’ Rhiannon laughed. ‘But if you’re asking me if I see you as a game-ranger’s wife then frankly the answer’s no. However, were I given a little more time to get used to the idea . . .’ She put her head thoughtfully to one side, successfully concealing the relief she was feeling that Lizzy wasn’t about to do something crazy, which people in grief were often known to do. ‘No, I still don’t see you as a ranger’s gal,’ she said.

  ‘Oh, yes, more coffee for me,’ Lizzy said as a waiter started to hover. ‘And more toast?’ Turning back to Rhiannon, she popped the final morsel of the last slice into her mouth and wiping her hands on a napkin said, ‘Amazing though, isn’t it? I mean, that he actually asked me in the first place. I can still hardly believe it.’

  ‘I have to confess I’m having a little difficulty myself,’ Rhiannon responded flicking her hair back over her shoulder as she poured more tea into her cup. ‘Not that I’m doubting your charms, you understand . . .’

  Laughing Lizzy said, ‘But I’ve barely known hi
m forty-eight hours and I haven’t exactly gone out of my way to promote myself as the perfect Waltzing Matilda in that time, have I? Or maybe I did,’ she added, frowning. ‘Anyway, like I said, he ended up walking out on me this morning and I haven’t seen him since. Where’s Oliver, by the way?’

  ‘Gone to make a phone call,’ Rhiannon answered. ‘And don’t look round now but Andy is heading in this direction.’

  Lizzy was startled by how strongly her heart reacted. ‘Does he still look angry?’ she whispered.

  ‘Can’t tell,’ Rhiannon answered. ‘He’s still too far away. There’s something of the caveman about him, though. I reckon he might be about to drag you off into the bush by the hair . . .’

  ‘Don’t mock! And for God’s sake don’t let on that I’ve mentioned any of this.’

  Rhiannon gave her a pained expression. ‘Would I?’ she said. Then raising her eyes above Lizzy’s shoulder she gave a beaming smile of welcome and said, ‘Good morning, Andy. How are you? Still feeling a bit of a prat after Lizzy jilted you, are you?’

  Lizzy stared at her in horror.

  ‘Oh, I see, more of a dick.’ Rhiannon nodded sympathetically, earning herself a swift kick under the table.

  ‘I almost believed you then,’ Lizzy laughed. ‘Is he on his way over or not?’

  ‘Why don’t you turn round and find out?’

  Lizzy glared at her, then very tentatively started to turn her head and almost leapt out of her skin as she came face to face with a rhino. ‘Jesus Christ!’ she choked as Hugh dropped the stuffed head in her lap. ‘Take it away!’ she cried, jumping to her feet and knocking it to the floor. ‘Where did you get it, for heaven’s sake?’

  ‘A present from Andy and Doug,’ Hugh answered, retrieving it. ‘Jack’s got a hippo.’

  ‘Does it have to join us for breakfast?’ Rhiannon protested.

  ‘No. We’ve already had ours. I’ve just popped across to pass on the message that we’ll be flying out half an hour earlier than scheduled. In other words fifteen minutes from now.’

  Lizzy’s heart turned over as she brought her eyes back to Rhiannon’s. ‘I’d better go and find Andy,’ she said, throwing her napkin on to the table.

  ‘He’s already up at the air strip,’ Hugh told her. ‘Saw him leaving a couple of minutes ago.’

  ‘Shit!’ Lizzy muttered, turning to Rhiannon again as Hugh walked away.

  ‘Maybe there’ll be a chance for a quick word before you get on the plane,’ Rhiannon suggested lamely.

  Lizzy was about to respond when her eyes suddenly shot to Rhiannon’s and the mutinous expression Rhiannon knew only too well started to tighten her face. ‘No, to hell with it,’ she said harshly, pulling her chair back to the table. ‘He knows where to find me so why the hell should I . . .’ Her voice suddenly broke and as her eyes filled with tears she slammed a fist on the table. ‘For Christ’s sake, what’s the matter with me?’ she cried angrily. ‘Anyone would think I gave a damn! Oh God, this is pathetic! What the hell am I crying for? It doesn’t matter, none of it matters. I’ll never see him again – Christ, I don’t even know the man so why am I . . . !’

  ‘Lizzy! Stop giving yourself such a hard time,’ Rhiannon interrupted. ‘You like the man, part of you has fallen for him, there’s nothing to be ashamed of in that and it’s perfectly natural . . .’

  ‘No, it’s not perfectly natural,’ Lizzy seethed. ‘I’ve only known him for two days . . .’

  ‘So what?’

  ‘I don’t want to stay here, that’s what,’ Lizzy responded tightly.

  ‘No one’s saying you have to.’

  ‘It’s just not me to live in a place like this. Is it? I mean, is it?’

  ‘No,’ Rhiannon laughed, ‘it’s not.’

  ‘So why can’t he see that?’

  ‘He probably can, but that doesn’t mean . . .’

  ‘I mean, I can’t help it if I’m not cut out to be . . .’

  ‘Rhiannon!’

  They both looked up to see Oliver coming towards them, his handsome face drawn with concern.

  ‘Lizzy, I’m sorry to interrupt,’ he apologized, ‘but I have to speak to Rhiannon.’

  ‘Go ahead, don’t mind me,’ Lizzy responded curtly.

  ‘Darling, what is it?’ Rhiannon said, getting instantly to her feet. ‘Did you get through to New York?’

  ‘Uh, no, not yet,’ he answered distractedly, drawing her out of earshot. ‘Listen, darling . . .’ He sighed almost angrily. ‘You’re not going to believe this, but my credit cards have gone.’

  Rhiannon looked at him, her face draining. ‘Again?’ she said incredulously. ‘But that’s the second time in a month.’

  ‘You don’t have to tell me,’ he muttered.

  ‘Are you sure you haven’t just mislaid them?’ she said.

  ‘Positive. They were in my briefcase.’

  ‘But who on earth would take them here?’

  ‘God knows,’ he responded. ‘But they’ve gone, that’s for sure.’

  ‘Have you told Andy or Doug?’

  ‘Not yet. I was hoping you were going to tell me you had them in your bag.’

  ‘Oh God,’ she groaned, absently watching Lizzy as she walked back to her chalet. ‘It has to be one of the other guests or, God forbid, one of the staff.’ Her eyes suddenly came up to his as a dreadful suspicion took root in her mind. ‘Oliver, you don’t think it’s me, do you?’ she said.

  Despite his concern he couldn’t help smiling. ‘No, of course I don’t, he answered. ‘And considering I was in New York the last time it happened and you were the one who bailed me out . . .’ He looked at her with a rueful expression. ‘I’m afraid you might have to do the same here,’ he told her.

  ‘Well that’s not a problem,’ she responded. ‘What is, though, is who’s actually taken them.’

  He sighed heavily. ‘The guys are going to feel pretty bad about this,’ he said, glancing at his watch. ‘Anyway, we don’t have a lot of time. I’ll go and talk to Doug and try to get through to New York while I’m there. The receptionist is waiting for us to settle up.’

  ‘OK, I’ll go see to it,’ she said. ‘And you’d better ring London to report the theft of the cards.’

  ‘Rhiannon,’ he said, catching her by the hand as she made to walk away. ‘I’ll pay you back.’

  ‘I know,’ she smiled, responding to the look in his eyes. ‘But it doesn’t matter.’

  ‘It does,’ he told her and giving her a brief kiss on the mouth, he started back across the camp.

  Doug was on the phone when Oliver reached the office so picking up another line Oliver tried his office in London.

  ‘Hi, it’s me,’ he said when his secretary’s sleepy cockney voice came down the line. ‘Did you receive the confirmation yet?’

  ‘What?’ she said.

  ‘Naomi, wake up,’ he told her. ‘It’s me, Oliver. Did you hear from Glenrow in Sydney?’

  ‘Oh yeah!’ she cried, coming suddenly to life. ‘The diamond. God, you’ll never guess what happened. It was really weird. I got this call to say there was going to be a problem getting the diamond to Jo’burg on time, so naturally I got straight on the phone to tell you. But before I even had a chance to dial the same bloke called back and said that everything was OK, it would be there on schedule.’

  Oliver was frowning. ‘Who was it?’ he said. ‘Did he leave his name?’

  ‘No, I don’t think so. I don’t remember it, anyway. All’s I remember was thinking, holy shit, Oliver’s going to go demented when he hears this. But like I said, no panic now, the diamond’ll be there bang on schedule.’

  The pounding in Oliver’s chest didn’t lessen. ‘Are you sure?’ he said.

  ‘That’s what the bloke said,’ she replied. ‘Said he was sorry if he caused any undue alarm, but he got his shipments mixed up and there was no delay with ours at all. I told him I was glad to hear it, because we’ve had enough problems these last couple of months without him and his sodding de
lays. Well, I didn’t actually say that, I just thought it, but it’s true, isn’t it? We’ve had a lot of really annoying things happen to us lately. It’s like we’ve got some sort of jinx on us.’

  ‘Yeah, OK, Nayms,’ Oliver interrupted. ‘Any other messages?’

  ‘No, that was it. Are you still coming back at the weekend?’

  ‘That’s the plan,’ he answered and after giving her a few calls to make and letters to get under way he rang off.

  ‘Everything OK?’ Doug asked, finishing his own call.

  Oliver looked up. ‘Yeah,’ he answered, forcing a smile. ‘Yeah, everything’s fine.’

  ‘You sure,’ Doug persisted, “cos I got to tell you, mate, you look like you’re about to throw up.’

  Again Oliver attempted a smile. ‘Yeah, sure,’ he replied. ‘It was just some mix-up with a deal I’ve got going, a pretty big deal, actually, and I thought for a minute something was going wrong.’

  Doug looked at him. ‘But it’s not?’ he said.

  ‘No,’ Oliver answered.

  Doug nodded. ‘Did you manage to get hold of Straussen?’ he said, picking up a pile of booking forms. ‘He sounded pretty stressed last night.’

  ‘You know, what I’d like to know’, Oliver replied, ‘is how the old bastard knew where to find me.’

  Doug glanced up from the booking sheets. ‘Why? You trying to hide from him?’ he asked.

  ‘Not exactly,’ Oliver laughed, ‘I just wish he’d give me a bit of space on occasions.’

  Doug’s eyebrows went up as he started towards the door. ‘He made a pretty big investment in you, Oliver,’ he reminded him, ‘so you can’t blame the guy for keeping tabs, now can you?’

  ‘A little trust here and there wouldn’t go amiss,’ Oliver responded. Then, smiling, he clapped Doug on the back. ‘It’s been really great seeing you,’ he said as they walked out into the sunshine. ‘Really great.’

  ‘It’s been great seeing you too,’ Doug replied, spotting Rhiannon over at reception, her golden hair glinting in the sunlight as she talked to Melanie while Hugh and Jack helped Elmore and a couple of trackers load the luggage and camera equipment on to a landrover. ‘Pardon the pun,’ he said, digging his hands into the pockets of his shorts, ‘but you got yourself a real gem there.’