There was no improvement in Harry. Kathy and Tammi couldn’t believe the frail old man lying in the bed was the same man with whom they’d shared a cuppa a few weeks ago.
‘I wish he’d wake up,’ Eileen whispered, massaging his wrinkled hand.
Harry stirred and mumbled.
‘I wonder what he’s trying to tell us. It must be so frustrating for him. I’m sure he can hear us. I’ve told him that his dog Tom is safe with us. We finally found him hiding up the hill. He crept out looking for food. He must have been scared off by whoever did this at least he’s safe. I’ve cleaned up the hut and locked it, so all the old bugger has to do is get better now.’
‘He’s lucky to have you to care about him, Eileen. You’re so kind to him.’ Kathy put her arm around her cousin and gave her a hug.
‘Well, Kath, I’m the only one who knew the real Harry. No one else would bother with him.’
They sat and chatted to the old man, trying to coax him from his unconscious state. When visiting time was finally over, they all kissed him and Francis leaned over before he left and whispered, ‘You can do it, Harry. You pull through for Eileen, and Tom misses you.’ He squeezed the old man’s arm as he turned to go.
Harry mumbled again. Francis leaned forward to listen. Not a sound came from the old man’s lips. Harry had slipped back into his world of oblivion.
***
Ellie rose early the next morning. She was looking forward to the evening ahead.
She couldn’t look her mother in the eye as she told her she would be going into town for the day, then meeting Fay. She didn’t bother to elaborate any further. She told her mother not to expect her home at any particular time.
Emmie was a wise old woman. She knew Ellie was not being truthful, neither did she expect Ellie to tell her the real reason either. ‘I just hope you don’t get hurt, my darling,’ she whispered as she watched Ellie’s car go down the drive.
When the girls came down for breakfast, they seemed rather solemn.
‘Was it a good night, girls?’ Win asked.
‘Yeah, we had a nice evening… quiet though. None of us really felt like doing much after we saw poor Harry,’ Tammi said.
Kathy was thinking of Eddie most of the time and hadn’t really enjoyed her night out at all. It might have been different if he had been able to meet her but he said they couldn’t risk it. Word would get back to Digger for sure if they met at the local pub.
‘Do the doctors have any further hope of him coming good?’
‘No Mum, they just say that they have to wait. It’s all a matter of time. Whoever did that to Harry is very messed up in the head. What a maniac. He deserves to be treated the same when they catch him,’ Tammi declared heatedly.
‘We had a visit from the police last night.’ Win told the girls about the previous evening’s events, including the incident with Beryl.
‘So, girls, whether the sighting was real or whether the police were sussing your dad and uncle out, either way this is really serious. Whoever is out there is getting gamer all the time. If he’d go right up to Connie’s house like he did, bash poor old Harry, then kill poor old Towser
and
make those horrid phone calls…’ Win shuddered as she spoke. ‘Well, he would be game to do anything! So you
must
be very very careful. I know I’m repeating what’s already been said but I
am
frantic about this whole damn thing.’
‘Don’t worry, we won’t be doing
anything
silly. We know it’s serious. God, after seeing Harry, it just makes my blood run cold.’
‘I feel the same. Everyone knows there’s a nut loose out there. We promise we’ll be careful, Mum,’ Kathy reassured her.
***
The cabin looked welcoming with fresh flowers on the table. Ellie had made up the bed with new pastel sheets and pillowcases to match. She’d also bought a new bedspread. While she put away the crockery and glasses in the small cupboard above the stove, she hummed a happy tune.
‘I wonder what Harv told Mary he was doing this evening. Being Saturday, she would have taken some convincing,’ she murmured, feeling a bit guilty, and tried to push the feeling away.
It was nearly time for Harvey to arrive. He hadn’t wanted to work on Saturdays but he told himself this certainly made up for it.
‘He should have finished work half an hour ago,’
Ellie thought as she checked the small fridge once more.
‘I think I’ve remembered everything,’ she muttered. In the door compartment was a bottle of Harvey’s favourite wine. She was about to look out the window to see if he had arrived when the key turned in the lock and he appeared in the doorway.
They just looked at each other for a second and then Ellie was in his arms. ‘God, you feel good, Ellie. I’ve thought of you all day. The day wouldn’t go fast enough.’
‘I know Harv, I’ve been exactly the same.’ She squirmed away from him, reaching to the fridge. Ellie uncorked the wine and filled two delicate long-stemmed wine glasses.
‘Ellie, you’re so thoughtful. The wine, the glasses
and
this place, it looks so inviting.’
‘I told you I want this to be special, Harvey. It means so much to me that our relationship isn’t cheapened in any way.’
‘No one could cheapen this, Ellie. What you and I have is definitely not cheap.’
Harvey sipped his wine, admiring her. She had drawn her hair back in its chignon and looked elegantly beautiful. They enjoyed the wine and made small talk about their day, kissing in between. The sexual tension was explosive. While Harvey was pouring more wine, Ellie went to the bedroom and changed into a flimsy blue robe.
Watching her walk slowly back, Harvey knew he had to have her
now
.
She stood just inside the doorway. She had tied the robe loosely, slightly revealing her naked body underneath. She stood still, watching him.
Harvey slowly put his wine glass down. ‘My God! Ellen!’ In two strides, he crossed the room and pulled her against him.
His kiss was deep and sensual. She parted her lips and allowed his thrusting tongue to make love to her mouth.
He slid the robe from her shoulders and caressed her breast, teasing the nipple to rock hard. Ellie clung to him, wanting more.
He put his hand between her legs and his fingers slid into her wetness, caressing and probing, bringing her almost to the brink of climax.
He carefully lifted her, her legs clamped around his waist. He could feel her wetness against him. He lowered her to the bed, still kissing her.
She watched as he quickly undressed. Her eyes took in his erect penis.
Ellie took his hand and pulled him to her. She guided his penis to her mouth, sucking and licking until Harvey thought he would explode.
‘Oh… my God… Ellie…’ A red hot heat seared through him. He had to have her right now. Harvey pushed her back onto the bed. She wrapped her legs around him again as he entered her savagely. His thrusts were rough and hard and she met him thrust for thrust. They both climaxed with a ferocity that left them limp and panting.
With a contented sigh, Ellie stretched and reached up to stroke Harvey’s cheek. ‘You know, Harv, I’ve had years of celibacy and now that you’ve come back into my life, it’s like those years never existed. I can’t believe how content and fulfilled I am with you.’
‘You and I are meant for each other, Ellen.’ Harvey replied, running his hand up the length of her naked thigh. ‘We’ve wasted so much time. I don’t want to waste another minute. This cabin idea is brilliant; we can be together as often as we like.’
Ellie smiled up at him playfully. ‘Our own little piece of heaven, eh Harv. It’s a place where we can be together and love each other silly. We can have red hot raunchy sex in our own private haven and not worry about anything or anyone!’
Harvey laughed aloud. ‘Come here, you sexy woman. I’ll show you
red hot raunchy
sex!
’
After they had made up for what seemed like a lifetime of lost moments, they reluctantly locked up and headed back to town.
***
‘He thinks I believe his phony story about overtime!’ Mary poured another glass of whiskey. ‘He must think I’m stupid. As if I don’t know he’s with her.
Ellie Fraser, I hate you!
’ Mary smashed the whiskey glass against the wall and slid down to the floor sobbing. ‘You bastard Harvey…
You bastard…’
***
‘Well, girls, it’s Saturday night and you know what that means: bit of a dance on the agenda. You two up for it?’ Francis asked brightly. ‘Dig won’t mind as long as you’re with me.’
‘I’d love to! I haven’t celebrated my new job yet,’ Kathy answered. ‘What do you think, Tam? Want to come out and celebrate with me?’
‘I’m all for it. Laura’s visiting again so I’ll run over before it gets dark and ask her to come too.’ Tammi hurried out.
As she ran around the back of Hansen’s gracious old home, she stopped and sniffed. She could smell smoke. Cautiously, she walked further into the yard and that was when she saw the smoke coming from the stables!
‘Mr Hansen! Laura! Fire!’ she shouted in panic.
Walter Hansen ran out the back door followed by Laura and Muriel.
Tammi shouted and pointed. ‘The stables… hurry!’
‘My stallion’s in there! Muriel, quick! Phone the brigade!’ Muriel was already a step ahead of him in the back door phoning the fire brigade. Walter and the two girls ran towards the stables.
Eddie Chancellor was driving along Centaur Road on his way home when he noticed smoke billowing high in the air.
The men in the orchard had also spotted the smoke and, taking the short cut through the orchard, they raced across to Hansens.
Walter’s heart raced. He could hear the terrified whinny of the stallion.
‘Laura, pass me that horse rug. Hurry!’ Snatching it from her, he draped himself in it and ran in to the burning stable!
‘Walter! Walter… Oh Walter… No… No… You can’t go in there! You’ll be burnt to death! ‘ Muriel screamed after him.
‘Pa’ll be alright, Gran. He has to save the horse,’ Laura comforted her, her own fear held in check, trying to stay calm for her grandmother’s sake.
Tammi was about to run back home for help when Eddie came running up to her. At that same moment, the fire brigade roared up the driveway.
‘Eddie… Mr Hansen has gone in to get the horse out… He’s got a bad heart!’
Eddie didn’t hesitate. He ran to the stables, ripping his jacket off as he ran. He covered his head with it and rushed inside the burning building.
Kathy and Win arrived just in time to see his figure disappear into the flames.
‘Tammi, was that Eddie I saw go in there?’ Kathy shouted over the noise.
‘Yes… Yes… Mr Hansen’s in there… He went to get the horse out.’ Tears started to run down her face.
The next minute, the horse charged out of the stable, then Walter staggered through the doorway and collapsed to the ground.
‘My God… Where’s Eddie…? Dad, do something!’ Kathy ran towards the burning stables.
‘The firemen will get him Kath. Kathy… Come back… Stop, it’s too dangerous!’ Digger ran after her, yelling as a fireman grabbed hold of her.
‘Love, the beams have collapsed. Our blokes are there… We’ll do our best.’ The fireman privately thought that Eddie had little hope of getting out.
After calling the ambulance for Walter, Muriel knelt beside him, holding his hand. He was so still on the ground. ‘Someone help him. His heart’s bad. You have to help him!’ She sobbed hysterically.
Kathy was also in sheer panic by now. She pleaded for someone to save Eddie.
Tammi was crying at the same time, trying to comfort Kathy and Laura. It was pure chaos.
‘God… What a mess… Is everyone alright?’ Francis panted. He’d been in the shower and when he had come back downstairs, Emmie told him there was a bad fire at Hansen’s and Win had gone over to help.
‘Francis, look after Kath for me,’ Win asked. ‘Eddie went in to get Walter Hansen and he hasn’t come back out! Walter’s over there on the ground. Dig and Karl are helping the firemen.’
‘Francis, its Eddie… He’s still in there. Oh Francis… He’ll be burnt to death!’ Kathy sobbed hysterically. Francis could do little else but hold her. There were screams and shouts, horses were being moved from other stables and corrals. Suddenly, a fireman yelled out, ‘Hey… Help me back here…. I need help!’
Digger and Karl ran to him as he helped someone from behind the burnt-out stables. Kathy looked up to see them supporting Eddie by each arm.
‘Eddie!’ she screamed and ran to him. ‘Is he burnt bad? How bad is he…? Let me see him.’ She was crying and yelling and trying to get a good look at Eddie all at the same time.
‘He’s okay, Kath, he’s okay!’ Karl shouted.
‘I found him lying out the back of the stables. He must have smashed through the back,’ the fireman told her.
They sat him down carefully and he was able to gasp, ‘I’m okay, I just couldn’t breathe!’
‘Eddie… Eddie, you’re alive!’ Tears were streaming down Kathy’s face as she hugged him close.
No one could believe that he had survived. They had thought he was a goner for sure!
‘Kathy, I’m alright, sweetheart,’ he told her in a raspy voice, choking on a cough. He too had tears running down his face now and they held each other tightly for a long time.
Digger was watching his daughter. He hadn’t realised just how much this young man meant to her.
The ambulance officers were attending to Walter. ‘We’ve got him stabilized but he’s in a bad way,’ they explained to them. ‘He’s taken in a lot of smoke, but we’ll get him to hospital and he’ll be okay!’
He then examined Eddie and told him he too should go to the hospital. Eddie flatly refused, insisting he was alright and that he just wanted a cold drink. The ambulance officer tried to convince him to allow a doctor to examine him because he had inhaled a lot of smoke, but Eddie was adamant.
The fire was under control now. It had been vicious and spreading fast and it could have taken out all of Walter’s stables. Tammi spotting it when she did was sheer luck. Walter lost two stables as it was, but everyone considered that under the circumstances, he was fortunate. His stallion being saved in the nick of time was a blessing. If he’d lost him, it would have broken his heart. His horses were his life. In trying to save them, he had nearly lost his own life.