‘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 th
e 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.
Muriel was on the verge of a nervous collapse herself. Both were taken by ambulance to the Albury Base Hospital.
‘Come on,’ Francis urged. ‘Aunt Win wants you to come home with us Eddie. Gran just rang here to see if everyone was alright and she wants us all back home. Hazel’s making some supper. You can phone your mother from our place and let her know why you’re late if you want.’
‘Oh yeah, she was expecting me for tea. She’ll wonder where I am. She’d have heard the sirens, so she’d know there’s been another fire!’ Eddie was still holding Kathy as he spoke. They hadn’t let go of each other since Eddie had been found.
‘Come over Eddie. If Mum said to, then it’s ok, she must want you to.’
‘Okay, come on then. I do think I need to sit down for a while, Kath.’
Everyone gathered at the Masons’, all eager to know what happened inside the stables. Eddie was too shaken at first to tell anyone exactly what had happened.
‘Well, young man, you sure did a brave thing tonight. You could have lost your life,’ Digger said sincerely. He was in two minds about this bloke now.
‘What the hell happened in there, Ed?’ Karl asked. He was also looking at Eddie in a new light.
Eddie explained that when he ran inside, the smoke was so thick it was impossible to see. He called Mr Hansen, who was still struggling with the stallion. The fire had terrified the horse and it was giving him trouble. He simply couldn’t get it out of the stables. It reared up and knocked an overhead beam, which didn’t need any help to come falling down, landing on Walter.
Eddie had to struggle to lift the beam from him. At that moment, the horse bolted. Then Eddie finally managed to lift the beam enough for Walter to crawl out from under it. Eddie yelled at him to get out then the rest of the roof started to cave in. He felt his way along the back wall and found the stable window already smashed. He pulled himself up and escaped through that.
‘And that’s how I got out, just in time. After that things went a bit awry though. I remember pulling myself up through the window, and next thing that fireman was there,’ Eddie explained.
To everyone waiting outside, it had seemed a long time, but all in all it was really only about five minutes that he’d been missing.
Everyone knew that Kathy had been petrified that she’d lost Eddie. Emmie cuddled her granddaughter and kissed her face. ‘God was with him, darling. God was watching over him!’
Kathy felt tears run down her cheeks again.
Eddie squeezed her hand gently. ‘Here, drink your cuppa, Kath, before you cry in it!’
When Win phoned the hospital, they informed her that Walter had broken ribs and was suffering smoke inhalation. Thankfully, he would recover. His heart was okay; the pain he had experienced wasn’t a heart attack, it was just coming from his broken ribs. He would be in hospital for a few days and then complete bed rest was vital.
Murial was kept under observation. She had collapsed after the fire and she had to be checked over as well for severe shock.
There was a noise at the back door and Sam and Eric came in, followed by Arthur and Robert.
‘We just got back from Gerogery. What’s happened here? Is everyone okay?’ Sam asked in his booming voice.
‘It’s all okay now, mate,’ Karl growled. ‘The bastard’s done a number on Hansen’s this time. We could have had two tragedies and a dead stallion.’
‘Nearly bloody did,’ Digger agreed.
Ellie came in. She’d already heard about the fire on the car radio. It made her flushed in the face and anxious. Digger and Karl explained the events of the night.
‘Eric, go over to Hansen’s with Tammi and Laura to get Laura’s things, will you? She’s very upset and she’ll be staying here a couple of nights. We can’t have her over there on her own.’ Emmie was concerned for Laura as well.
Now the firebug had targeted the Hansens, this told the locals that the maniac was out to destroy everyone in the valley. It was anyone’s guess as to where he would strike next!
Kathy and Eddie went out onto the veranda, arm in arm. ‘Eddie, I was so frightened. I really thought you’d been killed.’ Kathy’s voice was full of emotion.
‘I had to try to save him, Kath… I didn’t stop to think, I just went in. I didn’t think of anythin’ except gettin’ him out and the poor bloody horse.’
‘You’re here now, that’s the main thing, and you’re not hurt. You’re a hero, Eddie!’ Kathy pulled him to her.
He took her face in his hands and kissed her, chuckling. ‘Should see your face… It’s black.’ He wiped at her face with his thumbs.
‘I don’t care,’ she said, squeezing him tighter.
‘Don’t you ever frighten me like that again, ok?’ she whispered to him as they began to devour each other with kisses.
CHAPTER TWENTY
The house was in darkness as Harvey pulled into the driveway.
As he let himself in the front door, he fumbled for the light switch. ‘Mary, are you home?’ he called.
‘She must be,’ he thought. ‘Her car’s here.’
Harvey walked up the long hallway and into the bedroom, taking off his coat as he went. ‘Mary!’ he called again. ‘Mary, are you here?’ He flicked the bedroom light on. Mary was sitting up on the queen size bed she’d insisted on having in the new home, even though Harvey slept in the spare room. She had made everything seem normal to any visitors who might come to their home.
‘Decided to come home, have you Harvey? That’s a lot of overtime!’ Mary slurred.
Harvey groaned. ‘Here we go.’ Still, he attempted to sound normal.
‘What’re you doin’ sittin’ here in the dark?’
‘Waiting for my husband…’ she hissed.
‘You’ve been on the grog again, Mary,’ he accused.
‘You’ve been fucking Ellie again, Harvey.’
‘What did you say? Hey, what’re you doin’? Get back, Mary! You’re crazy, woman!’
Mary leapt at Harvey, viciously clawing at his face. ‘You think I sit out here getting so drunk that I don’t know what you’re up to?’ she screamed, pushing him hard enough to make him stumble against the dressing table. The lamp crashed to the floor.
‘You think the drunker I get the better? You stupid bastard. I’m not oblivious to what you’re doing!’ she shouted at him.
‘Mary, stop it!’ he yelled, managing to grab her wrists and hold her sharp nails away from his bleeding face.
‘You haven’t fucked me in years. You haven’t even come near me since I told you I couldn’t have children!’
‘Mary, stop it! Now…’ Harvey was becoming angrier. This wasn’t the Mary he knew. The Mary Harvey knew was a quiet, religious lady, not this drunken, screaming shrew, swaying unsteadily in front of him.
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