A wave of jealousy and frustration rushed through him as he wondered if they shared cosy meals during their time off, or perhaps went dancing or to the cinema. He’d heard Cairns was quite lively.
The thought of her in another man’s arms was too much and the frustration of being in this blasted bed made him edgy. Yet he knew something like this was inevitable, for Olivia was distancing herself from him – taking charge of her life – following her own destiny – a destiny that didn’t include him. Friendship was all she could offer him, and, although he treasured that, it wasn’t enough. She had settled back in Australia as if she’d never left, and what with the plans for the medical centre and the ties with Maggie, he doubted she would ever return to England.
He leaned back against the pillows and closed his eyes. His cases were packed and stowed away in the cupboard at the end of the ward. There was no need to return to Trinity. The airport had reopened and once he’d been discharged, he would see about a flight down to Sydney. From there he would book a passage for home. It was time to set Olivia free. Time to take charge of his life and move on.
*
During the two weeks following the storm, Maggie and Sam spent every waking minute getting the hotel repaired and ready for business again. The roof and several of the shutters and screens had needed mending, and the guttering replaced. Water damage upstairs had meant stripping off wallpaper and dumping carpets, but the floors had been waxed and looked better than ever, and a fresh coat of paint on the walls had brightened the whole place up.
Now the hotel was finally back to what passed as normal, and the town was beginning to appear less like a war zone. The clearing up had revealed the true extent of the damage, but the rebuilding had begun almost immediately, and once the water had receded, life could settle down to its usual, leisurely pace.
The time had simply flown, and in the first flush of their newly found love, the long days and passionate nights seemed to invigorate both of them. It was late Sunday night, and they were sharing the comfort of the big old chair in the lounge when the crash of a door brought Sam to his feet, and the discarded teacups to rattle on the table.
‘I hope you got one of those for me. Throat’s as dry as a duck’s arse.’
‘Smokey!’ Maggie leaped from the chair and threw her arms around him. ‘You didn’t tell us you were coming back. How did you get here?’
He blushed and his shock of fair hair fell into his eyes as Maggie kissed him. ‘Got a lift,’ muttered. ‘The road’s been cleared and it didn’t take long at all.’ He hitched his plastered arm to a more comfortable position in the sling.
Maggie was about to ask who had come from Cairns at this time of night, when she noticed Smokey’s companion. ‘Aren’t you going to introduce us?’ she teased.
Smokey reddened further as he took the girl’s hand and drew her forward. ‘This is Ann,’ he said. ‘She’s taking a few days off now the hospital’s a bit quieter, and as I’m still the walking wounded, she thought she’d keep an eye on me.’
‘G’day.’ Maggie smiled and the two women shook hands. Ann was small and pleasantly rounded, with an open face and smiling eyes that looked at Smokey in adoration. Maggie liked her instantly.
‘Dark horse,’ muttered Sam as he slapped him on the back. ‘This calls for a beer.’
‘Better do something to eat,’ said Maggie. ‘You must be starving, Smokey, if you’re on the mend.’
With the pile of sandwiches rapidly diminishing, they sat in the lounge drinking beer and catching up on the gossip. Ann was a nurse, so she was well up on the latest.
‘How’s Olivia doing?’ asked Maggie when there was a lull in the conversation. ‘I’ve tried reaching her on the phone, but that Matron sounds a right old dragon, and refuses to pass on any messages.’
Ann smiled. ‘She’s that all right,’ she agreed. ‘Olivia’s still working flat out, even though the worst is over.’ Her eyes gleamed with fun. ‘There are rumours about her and one of our interns. And the bets are on as to whether or not it will come to anything. But the smart money’s on a wedding before next summer.’
‘Poor old Giles,’ sighed Maggie. ‘Looks like he’s lost out.’
Ann shrugged. ‘He’s a realist, I reckon. And he’s definitely getting better. Caught him flirting with one of the sisters, the other night.’
Maggie pulled a face. ‘Certainly doesn’t appear to be letting the grass grow under his feet,’ she murmured. ‘But I have a feeling he’s putting up a front.’
‘Fair go, luv,’ interjected Sam. ‘The bloke’s got to have a life, and a little bit of flirting never hurt.’
Maggie raised an eyebrow. Trust Sam to stick up for Giles. But then, what else could she expect, they were both men. ‘What about Irene Hamilton?’ she asked, changing the subject.
Ann’s expression was sad. ‘Still hanging on, but the prognosis isn’t good. Her injuries have left her completely helpless, without the ability to communicate or do anything for herself. Her poor husband has barely left her side since she’s been admitted.’
Smokey opened another bottle of beer. ‘Hopalong won’t be getting out of that place for a while, but the old bastard’s on the mend.’ He grinned. ‘He’s getting a new leg, especially fitted, and all shiny tin, so we’ll have to have a formal cremation of the old one and think up a new name for him.’
Maggie digested all the news and wondered how Giles was coping with the rumours about Olivia and the handsome doctor. Poor Giles, she thought. He’s been through so much, and after coming all this way to see Olivia snatched away by someone else simply wasn’t fair. But Olivia had to make up her own mind, and it wouldn’t be good for either of them if she stayed with Giles through pity, or a false sense of loyalty. As for Irene – she was sorry for the woman, but that was as far as it went. It was William she pitied, for if Irene did survive, his life would be hell.
She sat back as the conversation flowed around her, and noticed how Ann and Smokey couldn’t keep their eyes and hands off one another. Her sadness for Giles was swept away in the pleasure of seeing Smokey so obviously in love and she found she couldn’t stop smiling. ‘How long will you be staying?’ she asked in a lull during the conversation.
‘That’s what we came to talk to you about,’ said Smokey. ‘Reckon I owe you one, mate. So me and Ann thought we’d take over this place for a week so you and Maggs can take a bit of a holiday.’
‘Don’t owe me bugger all,’ muttered Sam, the colour rising in his face. ‘Only did what anyone would have done. Besides, I’d have to be out of me mind to let you loose in this place for a whole week. You’d drink all me profits.’ His eyes twinkled with mirth.
‘Fair go, mate,’ retorted Smokey. ‘I’ve helped you before, and with Ann keeping an eye on me, I reckon I won’t be drinking too much for a while.’ He blushed as Ann smiled at him. ‘Need to save me money and get the sawmill up and running again for when Hopalong comes back.’
‘What do you reckon, Maggie?’ Sam’s eyes were still warm with laughter. ‘Should we risk our livelihoods to this young reprobate?’
Maggie laughed. ‘Why not? Ann seems sensible enough, and Smokey appears to be a reformed character.’
‘You sure about this, mate? It’s a fair old responsibility, and you’re obviously still crook.’
‘The busted ribs are mending, and me arm’s right. Ann and me can cope. Reckon we could do with some time together away from the hospital,’ he drawled. ‘We’ll manage, no worries.’
Sam slapped his thigh. ‘That’s settled then. We’ll leave tomorrow and head down to Cairns and see Hopalong. If the hospital can spare her, we’ll take Olivia along for the ride.’ He grinned at Maggie. Thought we could visit Ma up in Port Douglas. She’s been wanting to meet you, and this will be the ideal opportunity.’
Maggie giggled. It would be lovely to see Olivia again, but visiting Sam’s mother–in�
��law wasn’t exactly her idea of a romantic holiday. Yet it would be interesting to meet her – interesting to find out more about this intriguing man she’d fallen in love with.
*
‘What do you mean, he’s discharged himself?’ Olivia glanced across at the neatly made bed. There was no sign of Giles ever being there.
‘He was most insistent, and as the doctor was quite happy with his progress, there didn’t seem much point in making him wait another day.’ The ward sister was a homely looking woman, with tired eyes. ‘I’m sorry, Olivia, but he did leave you a note.’
‘Thanks,’ she muttered as she took the letter. Turning away, she hurried out of the ward and into the garden. It had been a long night and she was aching to sleep when she’d called in to see Giles, but his defection had swept away the weariness and her fingers trembled as she tore open the envelope.
‘My Dearest Olivia,
By the time you receive this, I will be on my way back to England. I have decided to return home and begin taking charge of my life again. You will think me cowardly for leaving this way, but I think it is for the best, as neither of us like saying good–bye. I had always hoped that one day you would be able to love me as I love you – I know now that is not possible, so I take my leave of you and wish you all the luck for the future. The memories of our times together will always be precious, and I thank you for your friendship and loyalty, which I will always treasure.
Write to me when you can, I shall be returning to Wimbledon.
Yours always,
Giles.
Olivia’s tears were warm on her face as she stood there in the early light of a new day. The world suddenly felt lonelier without Giles – less friendly and altogether rather frightening. He had been her rock and her best friend ever since she was ten, now she could picture his sad departure and feel the awful loss his absence had created. Giles could not be allowed to leave like this.
With the letter still clasped in her hand, she hurried through to reception. ‘What time did he leave? Do you know where he was heading?’
The woman pursed her lips. ‘He ordered a taxi at six this morning and went straight to the airport.’ She looked at her watch. ‘Eight thirty. He said his flight was leaving at six thirty, so he must be well on his way by now, but I have no idea where he was heading.’
Crushed, Olivia turned away and bumped straight into Dr David Watson. ‘Sorry,’ she muttered. ‘Can’t stop.’
‘Whoa, there, Olivia. You’ve obviously been crying. What’s the matter?’ David held her arm, his expression puzzled.
She looked up into his handsome face and knew she didn’t love him. He was a mild flirtation, a pleasant interval between the long hours and the hectic hospital schedule. It had been fun, but nothing more. She’d known about the rumours and had ignored them. In hindsight, they were probably the reason for Giles leaving so suddenly, and the guilt was unbearable. How could she have been so thoughtless?
*
Sam couldn’t help but smile, and his face ached as he drove the utility along the cleared highway to Cairns. Maggie was sitting beside him, chattering nineteen to the dozen, happier than he’d ever seen her. He felt so good he thought he would burst, and couldn’t wait to introduce her to Ma, who would no doubt love her almost as much as he did.
He steered the utility through the early morning traffic and turned off for the hospital. They would find Olivia first, see Hopalong and then head for Port Douglas. Ma was certainly in for a surprise.
‘Stop the ute,’ shouted Maggie. ‘There’s Olivia.’
Sam slammed his foot on the brake and brought the utility to a screeching halt beside Olivia, who’d just climbed down from the local bus.
She didn’t seem at all surprised to see them, merely distracted. ‘Oh,’ she said once she realised who was in the utility. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘Coming to collect you,’ said Maggie gaily as she opened the door. Sam saw her expression change and heard her voice sharpen. ‘But something’s wrong, Olivia. What is it?’
She climbed in next to Maggie and stared sadly out of the window. Sam thought he could see the tracks of tears on her face, and looked across at Maggie. They exchanged worried glances.
‘What’s happened, Olivia? Come on, luv. Spit it out.’
‘Giles has gone, Maggie. I tried to find out where, but no–one could tell me at the airport.’
Sam looked at Maggie and raised an eyebrow. He hadn’t expected Giles to up–sticks and clear off – he’d thought the bloke had more go in him. ‘There can’t have been many flights this morning,’ he drawled. ‘Surely they could have told you something?’
Olivia’s eyes were bleak as she looked at him. ‘Two flights left,’ she said. ‘Both of them less than an hour long, heading south. There are hundreds of connecting flights from Townsville and Rockhampton. He could have taken any one of them.’
Maggie put her arm around Olivia as Sam eased off the handbrake and continued to drive towards the hospital. ‘Reckon we came along just at the right time,’ she said with brittle jollity. ‘Sam and I are off to Port Douglas, and we thought you could do with a change of scenery.’
Olivia looked out of the window. ‘Why didn’t he give me the chance to say good–bye, Maggie? Have I hurt him so badly he couldn’t bear to face me?’
Maggie squeezed her shoulder. ‘You know blokes,’ she said in a conspiratorial whisper. ‘They avoid trouble like the plague. He probably thought he was doing the right thing.’
‘Fair go, Maggie,’ interrupted Sam. ‘A clean break is often the best way.’
‘See what I mean?’ Maggie grinned. ‘Come on. Let’s get you packed and then we’ll be off.’
‘I’m not in the mood for a holiday,’ said Olivia. ‘You and Sam want to be alone, and I’d just be in the way.’ She sighed as Sam drew the utility to a halt in the car park. ‘Besides, there’s still work to be done here, and it might help to keep busy.’
She seemed so calm, so distant and so very sad that even Sam realised what a blow it had been to discover Giles had gone. He revised his opinion of her. For this cool English woman could be rattled. She wasn’t as in control as he’d thought. ‘I reckon you should come with us. You’re too tired to be much use to anyone, and you’ve done enough. We’ll visit Hopalong while you hand in your notice, then we’ll meet out here in about an hour.’
Olivia’s smile was wan. ‘Is he always this masterful?’ she asked Maggie with an ironic tilt to her brow.
She nodded. ‘Only when he really wants something,’ she giggled. ‘Most of the time I get my own way.’
Sam would have argued the point fiercely, but realised the girls were teasing him, so kept quiet. Women were a strange bunch, he thought as he watched a group of chattering nurses crossing the road. No matter how well a bloke thought they knew them, they always managed to outwit and come up trumps.
Olivia turned to face Maggie. ‘We ought to make time to see William and Irene before we leave,’ she said. ‘Irene’s not expected to live much longer, and poor old William needs some moral support.’
‘We?’ Maggie’s eyes rounded. ‘What would I want to see her for?’
Olivia shrugged. ‘Regardless of what she’s done in the past, she’s helpless and dying. I thought you might want to make your peace with her before it’s too late.’
‘I thought she was in a coma?’ Maggie’s tone was flat.
‘Not really, it’s the drugs keeping her out of it most of the time. She evidently has her lucid moments.’
‘I don’t think there’s much point, do you? She can’t talk, and there’s nothing I want to say to her.’
‘What harm can it do to just go and see her?’ Olivia’s voice was coaxing.
‘That’s what I thought before,’ Maggie said with flat calm. ‘Look where it got me then.’ She stared out of the window.
Olivia sighed. ‘Your choice,’ she murmured. ‘But if you change your mind, she’s in the private wing, room five. I’ll be there in about an hour.’
*
Olivia turned down the offer of the post of ward sister, said her good–byes and packed up the few bits and pieces she’d collected during the two weeks. She had made some good friends and would miss them. Would miss the familiar bustle of a busy hospital, and the camaraderie of feeling part of a well–trained team.
Yet the sadness of the last few weeks was becoming too much of a burden. She had forced Giles to leave like a thief in the night. How could she have been so blind to his feelings? How on earth had she not realised he’d loved her so deeply and probably had done since he was just a kid?
Then there was Irene. The sister who’d hated her all her life, but who was her closest relative. Irene’s life was ebbing away, and it saddened her, for she could still remember the vibrant, beautiful young woman she had once been. Could still envision her energy and lust for life. She had loved and lost and put all her energies into her horses – how bizarre that it should have been one of them that who would end her life.
Olivia left her bag in reception and walked through into the private wing. This visit to room five was more for William than Irene, she admitted. The poor man was bewildered and guilt–ridden by what had happened, and when he’d confided his lost hopes for a future with Martha, she could almost feel his anguish. Guilt was a powerful emotion and it could crucify those burdened by it – William was just such a victim.
She smiled as she saw Maggie nervously pacing the corridor. ‘I’m glad you came. It won’t be so bad, you’ll see,’ she murmured as she opened the door.
Undercurrents Page 31
