Ocean of Fire (18 page)

“I could have sworn I was to expect two women, but then who am I to question why. You two look like you belong together,” she said with a beaming smile. “Come in. Come in. I’ll show you around.”

The house had been divided in two, the Davies’ living quarters on one side, and two guest rooms on the other. In the middle was the lounge and dining area. The place had an old world charm which Nicole immediately fell in love with. It was filled with knick-knacks; porcelain dolls clad in long pinafores and pantilooms, embroidered cushions, and scented soaps in hand-painted bowls. The hand carved furniture belonged to the Victorian era. Carmel informed them that a continental breakfast was included, but the club on the hill served tasty, inexpensive dinners. Once she had shown them to their room, she left them, and Nicole flopped down on the queen-sized bed. It was covered in a quilt embroidered in earthy colours; rich browns, deep reds and lush greens.

“I could give the whole idea of social work away and run a place like this,” she remarked, running her hand over the intricate embroidery of the bedspread.

Philip’s response was to dive onto the bed beside her, almost toppling her off the other side. Nicole playfully threw a cushion at him, which he caught and casually placed behind his head.

“It’s the ideal place, isn’t it?” he agreed. “And Carmel certainly seems to enjoy what she’s doing, but you have to have the money up front, and a second job. I take it her husband works. They wouldn’t be living on the money the guests bring in.”

“I suppose you’re right. It’s something to think about thought.”

“Right now all I can think about is my growling stomach. I would have thought the entire town could hear how hungry I am. How about checking out that club.”

“I can’t believe you’re thinking about food again!” Nicole gasped.

“Guilty. Coming?” he smiled.

Reluctantly Nicole dragged herself off the comfortable bed, and they set off towards the jetty. The yachts and motor cruisers were nowhere near as flash as the craft moored at the CYC. They obviously belonged to people who came here to relax and didn’t worry about trying to out-do the owner of the yacht at the next mooring.

When they reached the club, Nicole made her second-last phone call home, and Gail told her that the men had arrived that afternoon. It reminded her of how little time she had left of her own holiday.

They found a table near the window, and watched the sun go down while they ate their meal. She tore her attention away from the bright strips of crimson on the skyline above the ridge on the other side of the bay, and meet Philip’s golden gaze. When the corners of his mouth turned up with a tender smile, Nicole thought she could never be happier than she was at that precise moment. Despite, or in spite of, the hard life he’d lead, Philip was the most wonderful man she’d ever met. There was so much to admire about him, and she was glad she’d finally let go enough of her own fears and doubts to discover how sweet loving him could be.

It was almost dark when they headed back towards the guest house. Instead of going straight in, Philip suggested they continue further along the road. Several houses down they saw a
For Sal
e sign staked in the front garden on a quaint brick cottage surrounded by a white lattice-work veranda. It wasn’t as big as the Davies’ house, but as they peered into several darkened windows, Nicole deduced it would still have at least three bedrooms. From what they could see, the living area appeared to be quite large, with an open fire place. It also had a substantial front and back garden, and an overgrown vegetable patch against the back fence.

“I wonder how much they want for it?” Philip wandered out loud, taking her hand again, as they continued further down the road.

“Real estate wouldn’t be too expensive down here, but one needs a job first,” Nicole replied, wishing she could afford to buy the cute cottage.

“Perhaps one day,” he said almost dreamily. Nicole recalled his remark about wanting to move to the country, and started imagining them living together in the house. It would be a dream come true, but Nicole forced herself to banish the thought. It was much too soon to start hoping for such a deep commitment from him. They had to establish a steady relationship first, and that was going to be difficult enough, particularly with her parents against her even seeing him.

As they walked, the sky darkened, and soon a myriad of stars studded the velvet blackness of night. The only sounds were those of nature; crickets and frogs in the long grass; water lapping against the shore.

Yes, she could stay in this idyllic place for the rest of her life.

On their return to the guest house, Carmel introduced her husband, Frank. He wasn’t much taller than his wife, but more slightly built with receding brown hair streaked with gray. His hazel eyes were keen, but gentle.

“You don’t do shift work, do you?” Philip asked, as Frank motioned for them all to sit down.

“No, I just had a pile of paperwork to catch up on. Business in expanding so fast I’m going to have to employ another lawyer soon,” Frank stated wearily.

“Philip works in that field,” Nicole said, but Philip shot her a berating look, making her wonder why he wouldn’t want the older man knowing this.

Frank leaned forward in his chair, suddenly eying Philip with interest. Carmel, she noticed, appeared rather bemused, no doubt thinking him suited to a more physical occupation, such as running a gym.

“I work for Legal Aid. I’ve had no experience in private practice,” Philip dismissed.

“I couldn’t see that as being a problem - better than taking on a new graduate. We do conveyencing, business law, some family stuff, but I suppose you’re happy where you are. You wouldn’t be there if you didn’t like it. I’ve always admired the Legal Aid lawyers. It can’t be easy dealing with that side of society. But if you do decide to change your mind, and wouldn’t mind joining a small law firm in Hobart, let me know. Why don’t we exchange contact details?” he suggested.

As he wrote the information out on a sheet of paper, Nicole wondered why Philip wasn’t even showing an interest in Frank’s offer. He’d told her himself that he wanted to leave Sydney, and his wistful comment earlier in the evening made her wonder why he didn’t jump at the opportunity. It was only out of politeness that he gave the older man his contact details.

Half an hour later, when they were alone in their room, Nicole asked him about it.

“After all the rejections I received when I graduated, I decided never to work for a private firm,” he said grimly. “If he ever found out about my background he’d withdraw even the most tentative of offers. When I leave Legal Aid it will be to set up my own business.” She started to protest, but he cut her off. “Just drop it, will you. I know what I’m doing.” .

As soon as she got onto the plane Nicole started feeling lonely and desolate. She knew it was because she had to say goodbye to Philip in Hobart. He hadn’t been able to secure a flight until the following day. She knew the reason for her depression was because Philip hadn’t made any firm commitment as to when they’d see one another again. So instead she’d promised to ring him. He’d merely placed a quick kiss against her lips, before ushering her in the direction of the departure gates.

Her mother was full of news, and Nicole sat silently beside her in the car barely listening to her as they drove home from the airport, grateful she wasn’t expected to contribute to the conversation.

As expected, neither parent was impressed with her decision to move in with Trisha so soon after graduating. Gail’s declaration that she at least get a job first probably stemmed from her reluctance to see her little girl leave home, but it would have been nice to actually hear her say it.

She started moving over the weekend, and on Monday morning after everyone had gone out, she rang Philip’s work number to tell him the good news. The last thing she expected was to be told he hadn’t returned from his holiday.

“I don’t understand. I was there when he booked the flight for Friday afternoon,” she protested.

“Well, he rang that afternoon to inform us he was going to take a few more weeks off,” the woman on the other end of the line said. “Would you like me to put you through to the supervisor? Perhaps he can tell you more.”

“No, that’s all right. I’ll try him at home.” But it soon became apparent that Philip either hadn’t returned to Sydney, or didn’t want to be found, because every time she phoned it rang and rang without an answer. Since he didn’t have a mobile phone, there was no other way of getting in contact with him. He’d told her during their holiday that he’d never seen the need for one, even though he said he had a computer and every other mod-con known to man.

In the days that followed, her emotions sea-sawed between worry that some disaster had befallen him, and anger that he didn’t want her to know where he was. She knew he probably wouldn’t ring her parents’ number and kept her mobile close by at all times, but she was reluctant to move until she found out what had become of him.

To fill in her time, she spent many hours writing job applications and lining up interviews.

Several days before Philip was due back at work, as she was leaving from an interview with an inner city Community Health Centre, Nicole was mugged.

It was so quick, before she knew what had happened a lanky youth had run off with her shoulder bag in his hand. For a moment she just stood there, staring in shocked dismay after him, not believing that someone would be so daring in the middle of the day.

Then anger consumed her. How dare he take what doesn’t belong to him, she thought furiously, setting off after him.

“Stop! Thief!” she yelled.

Nicole doubted she’d catch up with him, but decided to create enough commotion, hoping that he would either drop her bag, or get stopped by someone. Unfortunately the footpath was deserted.

The youth headed for a nearby crossing. The traffic was still flowing, and for a moment he stopped, looking for an opportunity to dash across the street.

“Give that back, you rotten little creep!” Nicole yelled. She was gaining on him. He darted a glance over his shoulder at her, pure venom contorting his youthful features, Then he turned back to the swiftly moving traffic. He wasn’t much bigger than her, Nicole realised, as she reached for the bag in his hand. She grabbed hold of it, so that they were both pulling the strap.

“Let go, you bitch,” he cursed, bringing up his other hand to push her away.

“No, it’s mine!” she yelled back, ducking his flailing fist.

Suddenly he was pulling her towards the edge of the footpath. Then he pushed her backwards. She stumbled off the pavement and onto the road, loosing her balance in the process.

There was an abrupt screech of tires, and a loud thump as her head hit something hard and metallic. Pain exploded in her head, and all went black.

“You’ll be able to go home today.”

Nicole tried to smile enthusiastically back at the amicable young doctor. She’d been in hospital for two weeks, one of which had been spent slipping in and out of consciousness. The worried faces of her parents had been a constant fixture, but it was someone else she’d been longing to see, someone who never came.

Nicole had sustained concussion, several broken ribs, a sprained ankle, all of which were still giving her considerable pain. But her fight with the thief hadn’t been in vain. Someone had seen her struggle with him, and had managed to snatch her bag back. It was returned to her intact several days later. Nicole realized now how foolish she’d been to go chasing after him, but it was worry over Philip that consumed her now.

She couldn’t understand why he’d extended his holiday to disappear for three weeks. As soon as she got the opportunity she would try and phone him again. She didn’t want to accept the possibility that he no longer wanted to see her. Until she knew where she stood with him she would say nothing more to her parents on the matter, even if they asked. The fact that she had no idea exactly how much she’d given away in her semi-conscious state worried her considerably. What her father would do with that knowledge she dreaded to think. He’d threatened Philip once before, and Nicole didn’t doubt he’d do it again. But knowing Philip, he wouldn’t let Peter stand in his way, unless of course, he didn’t care about her anymore. That thought weighed heavily on her mind in the days that followed.

She spent them enduring her mother’s fussing. Gail rarely left her side, as she lounged beside the pool trying to lose herself in a hefty paperback. When Trisha called on her, telling her she had been offered a job, Nicole decided it was time to move. Despite Gail’s staunch opposition, she packed the rest of her things and left with Trisha.

“Thanks for turning up when you did. Mum was driving me nuts with her fussing,” Nicole said, once the two women were in the car, heading away from Vaucluse.