by Lucy Clark
‘Help yourself,’ Rayne offered, as someone brought her a cup of tea.
‘Oh, is this the new doctor?’ one of the women asked. ‘I haven’t met you yet but Sylvia’s told me you’re very neat and tidy. Always a good thing to discover about a man,’ she said, giving Rayne a nudge. ‘Need to know whether or not he can pick his socks up and put them in the wash basket.’
‘My Willard doesn’t,’ another lady complained. ‘Drives me mad.’
‘Why do you think I do it?’ a man, whom Henry deduced was obviously Willard, replied.
Everyone chatted on, enjoying the break and pumping Henry with questions. Rayne simply sat back and listened as she sipped her tea, interested to hear his answers. He was single and, of course, at this piece of information, a few of the ladies looked pointedly her way. And a general surgeon at a Sydney hospital. He had no children, liked all sorts of animals but preferred dogs to cats, and his favourite colour was blue.
‘So why haven’t you ever married?’ came the question, along with a lot of agreeing from the rest of the women gathered around him. The men had gone back to work, their hammering and sawing not deterring the ladies, only making them talk louder.
‘It’s not right that a good-looking bloke like you should be single. Don’t you think, Rayne?’
‘Oh, indubitably,’ she answered with a grin.
‘Rayne’s not married either,’ Joyce offered. Her name was the only one Henry could remember at the moment. ‘She’s a career-woman and while there’s nothing wrong with that, there comes a time when every woman should settle down.’
‘So why haven’t you ever married?’ The question persisted and Henry glanced across at Rayne, almost as though he was begging for help.
She shrugged. ‘You agreed to come.’
‘Yes, but I didn’t realise I’d be facing the Spanish Inquisition.’
‘True.’ She stood up from the table she’d been sitting on, swinging her legs. ‘All right, ladies. Enough of grilling poor Henry. He’s here on holidays, remember? So let’s leave him be and let him have a proper holiday.’
‘Ooh, well, you know, a proper holiday must always include a little holiday romance.’ Joyce gave him a suggestive wink, which Rayne was delighted to note shocked him a little.
‘That’s right,’ another woman agreed, and quite a few of them giggled as they made their way back to what they’d been doing before the cupcake break.
‘How many of them aren’t attached?’
‘Three, but just to keep you on your toes, I won’t tell you which ones.’
‘Rayne, that’s not nice.’
‘Hey. I just rescued you, didn’t I?’
‘Hmm. I suppose.’
‘Anyway, let’s see if Willard’s got something you can do to help. If you’re still willing to help, that is.’
‘I volunteered and I’ll face the consequences.’
‘That’s the spirit. Like a lamb to the slaughter.’ Rayne led him over to where the men were working and while she was there, Henry watched as she sweet-talked and charmed all of them to agree to make her two extra tables for the festival, one for the hospital and the other for the school. And the interesting part was that she’d made Willard, who seemed to be the leader of the motley crew, think it was all his idea.
They all worked on for a few hours before Rayne looked at her watch. ‘Oops. Gotta go. School’s almost out.’ Henry was in the middle of cutting a piece of wood and watched as she said goodbye to everyone and made for the door. He wanted to go to her, to offer to walk with her to the school, to spend more time with her, but he knew that wouldn’t be a good idea.
Before she left, though, she turned and looked directly at him. ‘Thanks for your help, Henry. I’ll see you tomorrow night.’
‘What’s tomorrow night?’ Willard asked once she’d gone.
Henry started sawing again. ‘We’re having dinner.’
‘Ooh. Really?’ Joyce had heard.
‘It’s just a sort of “thank you” for helping her deliver Donna’s baby the other day.’
‘Of course.’ Joyce nodded and touched the side of her nose, indicating she didn’t really believe him. Henry opened his mouth to explain further but Willard clapped him on the back.
‘Don’t bother, son. Once they get an idea in their heads, it’s impossible to get it out.’
Henry decided to listen and returned his attention to manual labour, which he hadn’t done or enjoyed so much since high school.
* * *
‘Oh, and don’t you look dashing,’ Sylvia said as Henry came out of his room the following evening. It was a quarter past six and he wanted to make sure he left enough time to walk to the San Zucker Lane Hotel and Bistro where he was meeting Rayne.
‘Thank you.’
‘Now, you take it easy with our Rayne. She’s a very special girl.’
‘So I’ve been told.’ And on more than one occasion. It appeared the town of Deniliquin was more than protective of their GP.
‘Got a lot of heart in her, she has, and she’s not afraid to give to others, but she finds it very difficult to take for herself.’
Henry nodded. That much he’d worked out for himself. It was also what people said about him so it appeared he and Rayne had more in common than they’d initially thought. ‘Anyway, Sylvia, I’d best be going. Don’t want to be late.’
‘No. Of course not. Off you go. Have a wonderful time.’
Henry made his way to the San Zucker Lane Hotel and when he walked in he was surprised to find Rayne already there, chatting with the bartender. She was dressed in a pair of three-quarter-length trousers and a green top that highlighted the amazing colour of her eyes. He also noticed she kept looking out the side door, watching intently but listening to what the young man was saying. As Henry came a little closer, he followed her gaze and saw that outside was a small children’s area consisting of a long chalkboard and small sandpit. A little blonde girl was busily drawing, her tongue between her teeth as she concentrated.
‘Henry. Hi.’
He returned his attention to Rayne, who had spotted him. She beckoned him over and introduced him to the bartender. ‘Henry, this is Damian Simmons, otherwise known as Simmo.’
The two men shook hands.
‘How are you enjoying Deni?’
‘It’s great.’ Henry nodded for emphasis. ‘Everyone’s so friendly.’
Rayne smiled at the small hint of surprise she could hear in Henry’s voice but didn’t make mention of it.
‘I thought it might be nicer to sit outside. Suit you?’
‘Uh…sure.’ They placed their orders and headed outside into the garden, sitting at one of the tables. Henry kept glancing at the child, who was still drawing on the board—a beautiful picture of an emu. Who did the child belong to? Was she supposed to be out here? She wasn’t bothering anyone and seemed quite content to keep on drawing. Rayne didn’t call her over or say hello or anything and Henry wasn’t sure what to do, so he did nothing.
‘How did things go at the hall yesterday after I left?’
‘Good. In fact, I was back there today, helping out. Everything’s starting to come together and Willard said he can even find me something to do tomorrow.’
‘Some holiday.’
‘Actually, it’s really nice.’
‘What? Being told what to do by a retired headmaster?’
‘Yes.’
Rayne looked at him, a slow smile appearing on her face. ‘You really mean that, don’t you? I guess, working at the hospital, you have everyone jumping to attention the instant you snap your fingers.’
‘Something like that.’
‘Are you fairly high up the ladder? Head of department or something like that?’
‘Something like that.’
‘And they were able to spare you for a few weeks’ holiday?’
‘Apparently.’
‘Am I being too inquisitive?’
He raised an eyebrow at that. ‘After Joyce and h
er friends?’
‘Good point. I guess I’m quite tame in comparison.’ She looked up at the sky and then marvelled at the vibrant oranges and reds mingling together and signifying that tomorrow would be another fantastic spring day. She mentioned this to Henry but when he didn’t reply, she returned her eyes to meet his. ‘What?’ she asked, when he didn’t say anything.
‘I didn’t mean to cut you off just now. You can ask me questions, Rayne.’
‘It’s fine. You’re on holiday. The last thing you need while you’re relaxing is to be constantly answering probing questions from nosy locals.’
‘True, but I confess I do have an ulterior motive.’
‘Really?’ Rayne rubbed her hands together. ‘This is getting interesting. What is it?’
‘Well, if you ask me a question of a personal nature, then I can ask you one.’
‘You’re curious about me?’
‘You seem surprised.’
‘Well, yes, but I just thought everyone in the town would have already told you my story so you’d definitely know more about me than I know about you.’
‘Actually, people have only told me that you’re very special and it seemed to come more in the way of a warning.’
Rayne smiled at that. ‘I guess they’re a little protective of me.’
‘Because they’re worried about losing you to some big city?’
‘No, actually. It’s not that at all.’ Rayne thought, trying to figure out the right way to phrase what she was about to say. ‘I had a…disjointed upbringing. I guess that’s the best way to put it. Anyway, when I came here to Deniliquin I found…I don’t know, a sort of sanctuary. It’s almost as though this town is a place of healing.’
‘I can believe that and I’ve only been here for three days.’
‘The people are friendly. They’re genuine. They know how to smile. It’s a great place.’ Rayne gestured to where the little girl had almost finished drawing her picture on the chalk-board. ‘Jasmine’s certainly enjoying it and, goodness knows, she needs it most.’
‘Jasmine.’
‘Yes. She’s my…’ Rayne paused and Henry watched as sadness came into her eyes. ‘You know, I’ve never had to introduce her before. I guess Jasmine’s my daughter.’
‘You guess?’ Henry was gobsmacked. ‘You mean, you don’t know?’
‘I’m sorry. Again, I sort of thought the town gossiping tongues would take care of the explanations.’
‘Perhaps they’re all too busy getting ready for the festival.’
‘Perhaps. Anyway, I…um…inherited Jazzy. Her parents died about six months ago in a car crash. Jazzy’s mother was my best friend—well, we were blood-sisters.’ Rayne smiled sadly. ‘You know. Like blood-brothers. We pricked our fingers together when we were about twelve and smeared our blood together so we could really be sisters.’
Henry looked at the child and his heart went out to her. ‘She’s about five?’
‘Yes.’
‘And how’s she taking everything?’
Rayne shrugged. ‘Kids are resilient. I think she’s doing quite well, given the circumstances. Better than me some days.’
Henry reached over, placing his hand on hers. ‘I do understand, Rayne.’
She looked up at him, realising he, too, had known great personal loss and suffering. She was about to ask him what had happened when their meals were brought out. Henry withdrew and Rayne called Jasmine over.
‘Jasmine, this is Henry. He’s a doctor, like me, but he’s in Deni for a holiday.’
The little girl gave a shy smile. ‘You’ll like Deni for holidays. I me-member coming here with Mummy and Daddy to see Rayne. We liked having holidays here and now I get to live here and I even go to school here.’
‘That sounds great.’
They ate their meals, Jasmine doing more than her fair share of keeping the conversation flowing. Rayne was content to sit back and watch how Henry interacted with Jazzy. He’d obviously had some experience in dealing with children yet she was sure he’d said he didn’t have any.
‘I like your name,’ Jasmine said, after watching him intently for a few minutes. ‘Henry.’ She repeated it and then nodded approvingly.
Henry’s lips twitched at the grown-up way Jasmine spoke. ‘Thank you. I like your name, too.’
‘You can call me Jazzy if you like. Heaps of people do. Nobody called me that before I came to Deni but now I’m here I like it. I like it a lot.’
‘Jazzy. That’s very pretty.’
‘I’m five, you know, and soon I’ll be five and a half. I live with Rayne. She’s my godmother and my mummy and daddy decided that she was the best person to look after me when they died so when they died and went to heaven, I came here.’
Henry glanced up at Rayne and could see the pain in her eyes but he was also pleased she was letting Jasmine speak freely about her parents. Talking about those who had died was supposed to help with the grieving process. He knew that all too well but when it came to the topic of his wife, he was strictly a doctor who didn’t practise what he preached.
Rayne stroked Jasmine’s blonde hair.
‘But first I had to go and stay with some other people,’ Jasmine continued. ‘They were OK but not as great as Rayne, and the woman told me off for crying so much because I missed my mummy and daddy. Then Rayne came and picked me up and we went and spent some time with Granny and Grandpa. They were really sad, too, but they love Rayne and so do I. Granny and Grandpa are coming to Deni soon for the school holidays and it will be so much fun to have them here. It’s always good fun because Granny likes to bake cakes and she’s going to bake some cakes and put them in the festival and she said I could help!’
The excitement was almost glowing from Jasmine as she spoke and Henry brightened at the beauty that shone from the five-year-old.
‘We did craft things at school today and I’m going to put my craft material in the festival, too, so I’ll have two things in it. First we had to tie a piece of material up with rubber bands and then we dunked it in special purple paint which doesn’t come off the material and then we took the bands off and there was a really pretty pattern, but I got some paint on my hands and we can’t get it off, can we, Rayne?’ Jasmine held up her hands to prove her point.
‘No, we did try scrubbing a bit when we got you home from school but I think it’ll just have to wear off.’
‘Purple hands.’ Henry seemed impressed. ‘Groovy.’ He smiled at them both. It was clear Rayne was doing her best to provide love and care during such a terrible time—that much was clearly reflected in the way Jasmine’s voice warmed whenever she mentioned her guardian’s name.
Jasmine giggled. ‘You’re funny.’
They finished their meals and Rayne and Jasmine quickly visited the ladies’ before coming out to find Henry with his back to them, staring up at the sky. Stars had begun to appear in the almost cloudless sky.
‘Found the Southern Cross?’ she asked, and he quickly turned to look at them.
‘Ready to go?’
‘No. We can stargaze for a bit if you’d like.’
‘I know where the Southern Cross is,’ Jasmine offered, and pointed her little hand up in the correct direction. ‘The bottom star always points to the south,’ she announced proudly.
‘Very good,’ Henry murmured.
‘Rayne taught me that. When I came here to live, the stars were so bright. They’re not bright in the city but you can still see them.’ Jasmine still spoke with authority, even though her sentence structure was a little garbled.
‘You’re right, Jasmine. You can certainly see more stars here than in the city.’
‘How about we go for a walk?’ Rayne suggested. ‘You’ll be able to see even more from the park.’
‘Sure.’ Henry turned to look at her but hadn’t realised just how close she was standing to him. Rayne found she couldn’t move, didn’t want to move, and so stayed where she was, looking into his eyes and liking what she saw.
For the first time she found herself wanting to know about someone else and this someone else was the man standing next to her. He intrigued her and no man had ever done that. Usually, she was able to figure them out quite quickly, what they wanted out of life, what they wanted from her, and with all of them she just hadn’t been interested. Her heart was locked away safe and sound and she knew that even if she got to know Henry better, she would still be safe because he was only here on holiday.
‘Something wrong?’
‘Huh? No. Nothing. Just thinking.’ Rayne managed to break her gaze away at last, desperate to try and get herself under control. The trembling, which had spread throughout her, started to settle down. His eyes had been so powerful, so strong and protective, and yet for some reason she hadn’t been surprised to see it there. It was almost as though she’d expected it, expected Henry to protect her for now and for ever.
CHAPTER THREE
THE sound of a loud crash coming from inside startled them, breaking the spell. Rayne took Jasmine’s hand and they quickly went to investigate.
‘Rayne?’ The urgent call coming from the direction of the kitchen had them rushing through the swing door that led to the kitchen. There they found Damian’s wife leaning over her husband, who was lying on the floor, writhing in pain.
Shattered glasses and amber liquid surrounded him and Rayne immediately told Jasmine to stay back. Rayne snapped her phone off her waistband and called the hospital, requesting an ambulance, while Henry ordered Damian’s wife to bring him their first-aid kit. He grabbed a few kitchen towels from the racks and placed them on the floor over the glass and liquid. Then he picked his way carefully towards the injured man.
‘It’s all right, Damian. It’s OK. Try to stop moving if you can so I can get closer to take a look.’
‘There’s blood,’ Rayne called as she came round the other side, glad she’d worn flat-heeled shoes. Cynthia came back with the first-aid kit and Rayne took it from the frightened woman. ‘He’ll be all right.’
