Mary wound her arms around Harvey’s neck as they circled the floor. She kept an eye on the stage, confident they would be in view of Ellie. She softly blew in his ear.
Harvey jerked his head away in surprise.
‘Mary! What are you doin’? Come off it.’
She glared at him.
‘Just a little entrée, you know, to whet the appetite.’
‘Cut out the crap, Mary. Come on, we’re sittin’ down… now!’ Harvey took her arm in a vice-like grip and escorted her to their seats.
Mary’s little display had gone unnoticed by Ellie. Fortunately, she had been concentrating on her playing.
Eddie danced Kathy towards the side door and, placing his arm around her waist, he guided her outside. The air was cool, but neither noticed. As soon as they were outside, they were in each other’s arms. Eddie kissed her with a fierce passion.
She clung to him tightly.
‘Oh Eddie,’ she whispered.
‘I’ve wanted to kiss you so badly, baby,’ he murmured between kisses.
‘Mmm, I know the feeling. I’ve wanted to kiss you too,’ she answered in a husky voice.
‘Kath… baby, do you realise what you do to me?’ he whispered breathlessly.
‘If it’s the same as you do to me, then yes I do.’
Eddie raised his head to look into her eyes.
‘You’ve changed my whole life, Kath. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.’
Kathy looked into his eyes. With a low groan, he lowered his lips to hers and kissed her deeply.
‘We’d better go back inside,’ he suggested, hating to take his lips from hers.
Reluctantly, she agreed and they went back into the hall.
The lights had been lifted a little and the music had changed tempo.
Tammi and Laura were having a ball, dancing almost every dance with Richard and Ian.
Smiling up at Ian, Tammi moved closer and pressed against him. Ian was a little unsure; he had noticed Win watching, so he took Tammi in a waltz hold and danced her to the other side of the floor.
‘I’ll have to have a little chat with her.’ Win made a mental note.
Ellie joined the table, leaving Francis to play some of his favourites.
‘You play so beautifully, Ellie. I could have sworn you were playing those romantic numbers just for Harv and me. Harv couldn’t hold me close enough in that last number, could you honey?’ Mary said sweetly.
‘You exaggerate, Mary,’ Harvey said quietly. He knew Mary was deliberately trying to bait Ellie.
Mary looked sharply at him. She hadn’t expected him to contradict her in public. With an effort, she retained the smile on her face.
‘Oh pooh, Harv… Don’t be coy. You enjoyed dancing like that with me. I could feel it!’
Harvey stood up abruptly. ‘I need a fresh drink. Anyone else want one?’
‘I’m fine,’ Ellie said. All she wanted to do was escape, run away from this tense atmosphere. Mary arriving had spoiled the whole evening for her.
‘I’d like one. I’ll help you carry them, mate,’ Digger offered.
Mary held up her empty glass. ‘I’ll have another one, Harv dear!’
He gave her a cold look of fury as he took her glass.
She ignored his warning look, turning away to chat with Win and Emmie.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Stealthily, he moved around the exterior of Kia-Ora. He’d been waiting among the trees until Hazel and Ted had gone down to their cottage.
He now moved closer, looking for some access to the house, but Hazel and Ted had locked up thoroughly. No one left open windows in their homes anymore.
‘Shit!’ he swore in frustration. ‘No fuckin’ window open anywhere!’
He pulled a small knife from his pocket. Flicking it open, he ran his finger along the razor sharp edge. ‘Ah, well, there’s only one thing for it.’ He crept further around the house to the back door.
***
At the party, things were really in full swing. The men were in high spirits, joking and drinking steadily. Eric wasn’t a heavy drinker but tonight he didn’t care. He’d been through the worst time of his life and was celebrating his freedom!
There were plenty of hearty back slaps and lots of ‘Glad to see ya okay, mate.’ He was never without a beer. Several young girls from farms around the valley gathered around, hoping to get a chance to dance with him.
Quite unexpectedly, he grabbed Jane Tucker and swung her out to the dance floor. She laughed with delight and kept pace with Eric’s unsteady steps.
Des had left earlier. He knew he had too much to drink and begged a headache. He wasn’t usually a party-goer but this was a very special occasion. Relief and alcohol had relaxed him and all he wanted was a peaceful, full night’s sleep.
Robert wasn’t a party-goer and crowds weren’t his thing either, so he gladly offered Des a lift.
Mary had kept up a steady pace with her drinking. Several times Harvey had tried to slow her down but she completely ignored him. She called what she was doing fun. Harvey called it making a spectacle of herself.
Win and Emmie had also tried to discourage her but she only laughed at them. Mary paid not the slightest attention to Ellie; she simply talked around her.
The conversation around the table was about things in general. The firebug subject was carefully avoided for tonight.
Mary was starting to be obviously drunk. Gazing around the hall, she suddenly decided to stir things up!
She looked glassy-eyed at Harvey and then at Ellie. A feeling of angst overcame her.
‘Well, bugger you, Harvey Winters. I would like to dance!’ Mary stood up unsteadily. Harvey reached out to stop her.
‘Keep your hands off me. I’m going to find a man!’ She emphasised the word ‘man’.
‘Mary… don’t you think…’ Emmie began, but Mary had already staggered off.
Harvey dropped his head in his hands. ‘Oh Lord, what am I goin’ to do with her?’
Ellie put her hand over his as he looked up at her.
‘Harvey, you can’t blame yourself. You know things haven’t been right for a long time.’ Ellie comforted him softly.
‘Ellie’s right, Harvey dear. Mary should be seeing a doctor,’ Emmie said.
‘I know, I know, but how do I get her to go? She flat-out refuses!’ He didn’t add that he had not tried very hard to get her to a doctor.
‘It’s obvious she knows there’s something going on with you and Ellie,’ Win said matter-of-factly.
Harvey looked up in surprise.
‘That’s right, mate. We’ve all noticed. It’s not hard to put two and two together!’ Digger added.
‘But… we never did anythin’ to give anyone…’ he stammered.
‘You didn’t, but it wasn’t hard to pick it. Mary obviously had as well.’ Win was glad the whole matter was out in the open.
‘Don’t be embarrassed, Harvey dear, but something has to be resolved,’ Emmie said firmly.
Ellie had been quiet through all of this. She kept her eye on Mary’s retreating figure.
Karl noticed Mary staggering across the floor and he decided he better rescue her.
‘Mary, you look lovely tonight. Care for a dance?’
‘Why, Karl, how lovely! I’d love to dance with a handsome man like you!’ she slurred.
She was rather clumsy in his arms.
‘Thank goodness it’s a slow number,’ he thought. Several times Mary lost her footing and stumbled. Each time she giggled and snuggled closer to Karl.
‘Mary, what’s got into you lately?’ he asked.
‘Me! Lil ole me… Nothing’s got into me, Karl.’ She ran a finger down his cheek, pressing her body against him and giving him a lopsided smile.
Ellie began to feel nauseas. The start of a headache was kicking in. ‘I think I’ll slip outside for a bit of fresh air,’ she said, pushing her chair back and standing.
‘You do look a bit
pale dear,’ Emmie said, concerned. ‘Win, why don’t you pop up on stage and sing a few songs for us? Ellie could do with a few minutes break.’
Ellie excused herself and made her way outside.
Harvey watched her go. After a few seconds, he decided to follow her. ‘I think I’ll go and see if she’s alright,’ he said to Emmie. ‘She did look pale and Mary’s behaviour hasn’t helped things!’ He stood up, saying he would be back in a few minutes.
Emmie watched him leave. She had a worried look in her eyes. This situation had to be resolved before things escalated completely out of control.
‘Well, Emmie, how about a dance?’ Digger asked, holding out his hand to her.
‘Why I’d love to, Digger.’ She smiled. ‘Not too fast ‘round the floor though; I’m not as nimble as I used to be!’
‘Tammi…’ Kathy tapped her on the shoulder. Tammi was busy gazing into Ian’s eyes.
‘What? Oh Kath, sorry.’ She giggled. ‘What’s up?’
‘I’m leaving with Eddie. Would you tell Mum and Dad that I’ve gone? Otherwise they’ll worry.’
‘Of course. Go on, have fun. See ya!’ Tammi turned her attention back to Ian.
Harvey found Ellie at the side of the hall. She was leaning against the wall obviously deep in thought.
He reached his hand out, placing it on her shoulder. ‘Ellie, I’m so sorry for tonight. You must have felt very uncomfortable in there.’
He pulled her away from the wall and put his arms around her.
She sighed, clinging to him.
‘Oh Harv, what are we going to do? Where is all this leading to?’
‘I know… I know… Ellie, I just don’t know what the hell I’m goin’ to do with Mary. She’s a bloody handful and the drinkin’ is worse. She vows I’ll never be free… not ever!’
‘You have to make her see a doctor. She’s badly in need of help. I know Mum tried to get her alone but couldn’t get the right opportunity. She was going to try and convince her to get help.’
‘Well after tonight’s behaviour, I’m going to have to think long and hard about how I’m goin’ to deal with her. What she’s done here in front of all your friends and family is just unacceptable.’
‘She’s sick, Harv. Get her some help as soon as possible. Look, we better go back inside. Heaven only knows the ramifications if Mary discovers we’re out here together!’
Even in her alcohol-fuddled mind, Mary knew Karl was responding to her seductive advances, and it felt good to have a man react physically to her.
‘Mary, I think we should sit down,’ Karl said gently. Her advances were making him rather embarrassed.
His own physical response was embarrassing him as well.
Mary wasn’t listening. She had just noticed Harvey and Ellie come in from outside. She observed Ellie heading in the direction of the ladies’ room.
‘Excuse me, Karl, honey. I’ll be back shortly,’ she slurred.
Straightening her shoulders, she staggered after Ellie.
***
Ellie sat on the stool in front of the mirror, applying fresh lipstick and tidying her hair.
She was spraying perfume on her wrists when Mary burst through the door. Ellie stared at her in surprise. Mary was angry and even more intoxicated.
‘Well, well, well, Ellie dear! And what were you doing outside with my husband?’
Ellie stood up to face her. It was obvious to Ellie that Mary was looking for an argument.
‘Look, Mary, you’re mistaken. I had a headache and went out for fresh air. Harvey came to see if I was okay. That’s all! There’s no need to be upset.’
Upset… upset!’ She was raising her voice hysterically. ‘You and my husband are fucking around and I shouldn’t be upset?’ she shrilled. ‘You bloody whore! Don’t tell me what I should or shouldn’t be!’
‘Calm down, Mary!’ Ellie was angry now and she couldn’t contain it any longer. Her headache had worsened and she had enough of Mary’s niggly insinuations tonight so she shot back at her.
‘You’re drunk! You should pull yourself together and sober up! You’re an embarrassment, Mary!’
Mary’s face twisted in fury. ‘Don’t you dare speak to me like that, you husband-stealing tramp!’ She took a step closer to Ellie, backing her up against the vanity basin.
‘You bitch, Ellie. You can’t fool me. You were out there playing around with my husband!’
Ellie gave a start and opened her mouth to speak, but Mary continued before she could say anything.
‘Don’t act shocked! You didn’t think I’d find out about you two? I’m right, aren’t I?’
‘Mary, you said yourself that you don’t have a marriage… Why stay in a loveless marriage? It’s ridiculous and unfair to both of you!’ Ellie realised as soon as the words were out of her mouth that it was a mistake trying to reason with someone in a drunken stupor.
‘Love or no love, that doesn’t give you the right to fuck my husband!’
Mary’s clenched fist slammed into Ellie’s face. The force of the blow sent her reeling and she fell against the wall, hitting her head hard. She couldn’t see for a few seconds and there was a ringing in her ears.
Mary’s voice seemed to be coming from far away.
‘Be told, Ellie, stay away from Harvey!’
If Ellie had seen the look of hatred on Mary’s face, it would have shocked her as much as the blow she just received.
Ellie pulled herself up and sank down on the stool, shaking violently. Her head was throbbing. A purplish red mark was beginning to spread across the side of her face. Tears welled up in her eyes and spilled onto her cheeks. She tried to stand but the room spun around her, forcing her to remain seated.
Mary stood, swaying in front of her. She leaned close to Ellie’s face and said through clenched teeth, ‘Just remember: I won’t let Harvey go… ever! He doesn’t deserve freedom. You’ll know what I mean one day. You have no idea, Ellie… No idea!’
Mary turned and staggered back out of the room, the door swinging shut behind her.
“When one woman strikes at the heart of another, she seldom misses, and the wound is invariably fatal.”
Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Eddie pulled the car off the side of the road onto a dirt track. Turning the lights off, he looked at Kathy sitting beside him.
She met his gaze in the darkened car. The only light came from the half moon, shaded now and then by rain clouds blown by a southerly wind.
Eddie touched her lips with his, then, with an urgency pent up for weeks, he crushed her against him.
Kathy felt a surge of recklessness race through her. His warm breath mingled with hers. She wanted him to continue, but at the same time she was nervous.
Eddie kissed her closed eyes, her ears, her neck and returned to her parted lips. ‘You smell so nice, your skin’s so soft,’ he murmured.
She allowed him to lower her onto the seat of the car, gently sliding her jacket off as they went. He untied the back of her halter top and it fell lightly to the floor of the car.
Heady with desire, Kathy made no move to stop him.
Eddie’s eyes went to her rounded breasts. He tugged at his shirt, pulling it free from his trousers and it joined her halter top on the floor. He lay on top of her, her bare breasts against his hairy chest.
Kathy succumbed to the erotic sensation of the hair on his chest rubbing against her nipples.
He kissed her mouth, running his tongue around her lips, then he began a trail, down… down until he latched onto her nipple, sucking first one then the other.
She cried out with desire. Her arms wound around him, her hands rubbing his back.
Eddie moved again to her lips, kissing her hungrily. His hand started fumbling with her culottes. She wanted him to go on. She wanted him, all of him. The rational part of her mind forced itself to be heard. As Eddie’s fingers undid her buttons, she gathered all her willpower and dragged her lips from
his.
‘Eddie, no… Eddie… please…’ Her whispered words were silenced by his kisses. Desire coursed its way through her body, but she could not let him continue. As she struggled to break free, Eddie realised she was serious. He raised himself to look at her.
‘What’s the matter?’ His voice was husky with desire.
‘I can’t, I’m sorry. I want to… You wouldn’t believe how much… but I’m not ready. I just can’t,’ she whispered.
Eddie was thoroughly aroused and it was hard for him to grasp what she was saying.
‘Eddie! What if I were to get pregnant?’
Eddie flung himself into a sitting position behind the steering wheel.
Kathy fumbled with her clothes, her fingers trembling. Eddie was very quiet.
‘Please understand,’ she begged tearfully.
‘Your right, we’d better go,’ was all he said.
***
Win came down from the stage and joined the others at the table. ‘Where’s Ellie?’ she asked, looking at Harvey.
‘She went to the ladies’, but she’s been some time,’ he answered.
Mary came up behind them and sat down. She picked up Harvey’s half full glass and gulped down the scotch in one mouthful, her hand trembling, a frown creasing her forehead.
‘I’d better go and see if she’s alright.’ Win looked at Mary.
‘I want to go home, right now!’ Mary spat out.
‘Alright Mary… We’ll go, but we’ll just wait a minute,’ Harvey replied firmly. He sensed there had been trouble and wanted to see what had gone on; Mary looked guilty of something.
‘I don’t want you to take me home. I’d like Karl to give me a lift, if he doesn’t mind.’ She looked directly at Karl.
He choked on his drink and it dribbled down his chin. ‘Wha… what… Mary… I can’t. Harvey’ll take you,’ Karl stammered.
‘Mary, don’t be ridiculous!’ Harvey was furious with her.
‘No!’ Mary’s raised voice was drawing attention to the table.
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