What Goes on Tour

by Boston, Claire

  Libby was quiet for a moment. “I like spending time with you as well.” She smiled. “But what about Kate?”

  The question made Adrian like her even more. “We’re only here for a couple more weeks. She knows nothing serious can come from this.” He glanced at her. “At the end of the tour, you’ll stay in Australia and we’ll go home.” It would be a casual relationship, a holiday romance.

  Libby faltered and then nodded, maybe a little too quickly. “Of course.”

  They didn’t know each other well enough for anything else, so why was he disappointed? Had he hoped she’d disagree with him?

  Adrian tugged Libby closer, keeping his eyes on hers. “The choice is yours.”

  Indecision crossed Libby’s face and then she smiled, her happiness showing in her eyes like a field full of sunflowers. She leaned forward. “Kiss me again.”

  He needed no further encouragement, and their lips met. There was an initial spark of lust, then, as they kissed harder and deeper, a feeling of contentment swam through him.

  He clasped the back of her head, but the plait stopped him from running his hand through her hair like he wanted to. He stood and drew her into his arms, then kissed her again, using one hand to pull her tight while the other worked at undoing her plait. Finally her hair was free and he ran both hands through it, kissing her deeper again, and then ran a hand over her side and up to her breast.

  Libby’s soft gasp sent desire shooting through him. He found the hem of her sweater and traced his hand over her bare skin up to her lacy bra and over the swell of her breast.

  She moaned softly and pulled back. “No. We can’t. Kate.”

  She was right but he stole another kiss, hugging her closer and sampling her soft, luscious lips. He wanted to go further, do more, but her words echoed in his head. He released her, trying to clear his head, but his body still throbbed. “You’re right.” He rested his forehead against hers. “You make me forget everything.” He’d never had to worry about a child before.

  Her hands came up to his cheeks and she kissed him. She inhaled deeply. “I should go.”

  He wanted her to stay, but he had to ignore what his body was telling him. He had to think about Kate, but if he was going to be good tonight, he wasn’t going to wait a few days to see her again. “Come with us tomorrow. We’re climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge.”

  “I’d love to.” She kissed him again and then reluctantly stepped away, reaching for her bag.

  Adrian took it from her and taking hold of her hand, he walked her to the door. Carefully he put the bag back on her shoulder and drew her close. He kissed her chastely. Anything else would make him forget his intentions.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “I’ll look forward to it.” With a final glance back, she walked down the corridor. He watched until she was safely inside her room.

  He’d definitely started something.

  And he was happy.

  Happier than he’d ever been before.

  Chapter 12

  Libby stared up at the enormous arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge looming above her. She was beginning to doubt the wisdom of agreeing to go on the bridge climb with Kate and Adrian. Not only was she not good with heights, she was also taking another day off from her writing.

  Was she letting herself get too attached? Should she have told Adrian no? He’d made it clear they weren’t going to have a long relationship, that this wasn’t going to last longer than the tour. She closed her eyes briefly. As long as she remembered that, she would be fine. She was allowed to do something frivolous just for herself every now and again. She could have a fling if she wanted to. She was a grown woman.

  They would be discreet, and make sure Kate didn’t have any unrealistic expectations. Neither of them wanted to upset Kate.

  She wouldn’t get caught up. Today she’d given herself the day off, but she would spend the next two days writing.

  If the relationship wasn’t going to last, she shouldn’t spend her valuable writing time with them.

  Her gaze followed the arch up and up to the summit, which suddenly appeared to be half a mile high. Squinting, she saw little ants climbing up the arch – human ants. Damn, it was high.

  “Come on, let’s go.” Kate was bouncing up and down with excitement and tugging Adrian’s hand.

  “Settle down, kiddo. If you get too excited, they might not let you climb,” Adrian joked.

  Kate immediately stopped bouncing but tapped her hand against her thigh instead.

  Happy to be distracted, Libby followed Adrian, Kate and George to the check-in point. They were greeted by a very passionate host, who took their details, made sure Kate met the minimum height requirement and set them up with all the safety gear.

  Libby put on the special bridge suit and tied her hair back with the supplied scrunchie. Kate jabbered away to their tour guide, asking a million questions, but all Libby focused on was the swirling, sickly feeling in her stomach.

  “I need you to all sign the declaration form and we’ll be ready to go,” their guide John said.

  Libby read through the document. Could she say she wasn’t fit enough to participate in the climb?

  “Libby, are you almost ready?”

  At John’s voice, Libby realized the others were waiting for her.

  “Ah, yes,” she said, but she still wavered about signing the form.

  “Libby’s not good with heights.” Adrian’s southern drawl interrupted her thoughts.

  “Don’t worry, Libby,” the guide told her. “We’ve taken loads of people up the bridge who’ve been afraid of heights. We’ll take it really slow for you.”

  “Think of it as an adventure, Libby. I’ll be right ahead of you,” Kate said.

  “I’ll be right behind you to help,” Adrian said. “Like you helped me.” His smile soothed her nerves.

  She could do this. Libby scrawled her signature at the bottom of the form and Kate jumped up and down in excitement.

  “Fabulous. Now it’s time for the safety briefing.” John led them into a room where he took them through all the necessary safety information. Afterward Libby was a little more confident. The guides were definitely ready for anything and took safety seriously. She wasn’t even allowed to take her camera in case she dropped it.

  Libby followed them out of the check-in center to the start of the bridge climb and allowed herself to be clipped to the safety harness. George was directly behind the tour guide, followed by Kate, and then Libby, with Adrian behind her. The roar of traffic heading over the bridge was dulled by the headphones they wore to listen to John’s commentary.

  There was metal everywhere. Hard, strong, cold steel below and to each side. Libby ran her hands along it to reassure herself. Someone touched her shoulder and Libby turned to Adrian, who gave her the thumbs up sign.

  The climb began, rung after rung, and for a while all Libby did was focus on putting hand after hand, foot after foot, and keeping her breath even. She had never climbed so many steps.

  John told them about the history of the bridge and Libby focused on his voice and the climb, not looking down.

  They soon reached a platform, where they stopped and rested for a moment. Kate’s face was flushed with the exercise but she gave Libby two thumbs up. Libby smiled, breathing deeply, and looked out over the harbor. It was a beautiful, sunny winter’s day, still cool, and not a cloud in the sky. There was a light breeze, and in the shade of the huge iron structure it was quite cold. Libby was grateful for the fleece John had given them to wear under the climbing suit.

  “How are you going, Libby?” John asked.

  “Fine,” Libby called. She wasn’t going to look down at all. If she kept her gaze in front of her and focused on the horizon, she could pretend she wasn’t high above the ground.

  “Are we ready to keep moving?” John asked the rest of the group. With shouts of agreement, they all followed him.

  It was a long climb. John kept up the commentary
, supplying interesting facts about the bridge and pointing out highlights along the way. Libby’s stomach finally began to calm and her grip on the rails wasn’t as tight.

  As they walked along one of the many catwalks, Kate suddenly stopped in front of her and pointed to something below. Without thinking, Libby followed Kate’s finger and felt the bottom drop out of her stomach. Her eyes brushed past the kookaburra Kate was pointing at and continued down, down to where the cars were rushing along below.

  Her legs turned to jelly, and as they buckled under her, she reached for the railings. Before she hit the catwalk, strong arms seized her from behind and supported her weight. Libby frantically tried to get her legs to function but they wouldn’t. Her eyes were glued on the tiny cars below her.

  Adrian lowered her to the ground. “Libby, relax. Look at me.” His breath was on her neck and she could just hear him over the roar of her fear, but she couldn’t obey him.

  “Look at me, Libby.” He took her chin in his hand and slowly turned her head so she was gazing into his dark brown eyes. “Focus on me. It’s all right. You’re safe here. You’re still connected to the guide rail. Take a deep breath for me.”

  Libby stared at him as if he were a lifeline. She panted – quick, painful breaths of air.

  “Slow breaths, Libby.”

  She took a shuddering breath in, trying to mimic the deep breath Adrian took.

  “Breathe out.”

  The air exploded out of her.

  “Take another slow breath in.”

  Slowly but surely Libby matched her breathing to Adrian’s. It wasn’t until she had it under control that she realized he was rubbing her arms, slowly but rhythmically, in time with her breaths. She blinked.

  “Do you think you can stand up?” Adrian asked.

  Libby focused on her legs. They were weak but she had to stand. Holding on to Adrian’s shoulders, she got to her feet, wobbling for a second before her muscles took hold and supported her. His arms surrounded her, both comfort and protection. She was safe.

  “Keep your eyes on the metal girders we’re following,” Adrian said, and pointed.

  Libby turned slowly, following his directions, and realized everyone was staring at her. Kate had clasped George’s hand and looked worried, but George’s expression was more contemplative.

  “Sorry,” she mumbled.

  “Nothing to be sorry about,” John said. “It happens to a lot of people. Do you think you can continue?”

  Kate was still watching her with wide eyes, her concern obvious. Libby forced a smile. “Yes.”

  Adrian’s hand was resting on her waist, warm and reassuring, and she focused on it. If he faced his fear of the dark every single night at his concerts, she could do this. With a renewed sense of determination she gave Kate the thumbs up and continued the climb.

  It took an hour to reach the top of the bridge. Libby found if she kept her eyes moving around it was much easier to cope. She could see all the way to the Blue Mountains in the west. The harbor itself was immense, spreading out through Sydney and beyond. Libby hadn’t realized it was so big. Boats of various types were out on the water making the most of the beautiful winter’s day.

  “Look, Uncle Ade. It’s a whale!” Kate pointed and jumped up and down with excitement.

  Libby put a hand out to stop Kate jumping, fear gripping her again, and then she looked where Kate was pointing out on the harbor.

  Sure enough, there were a couple of whales breaching. Several big whale-watching boats were close by, each about 100 yards from the animals. From up on high, Libby saw the dark shapes under the water and the splash they made when they breached.

  “Wow. Can we go whale watching, Uncle Ade?” Kate turned to look at her uncle.

  “I’ll see if we can get a spot on one of the cruises,” he said.

  Below them a mother and her calf frolicked in the water. Libby was aware of Adrian right there behind her, his comforting presence close enough so that if she leaned back she would touch his chest. As if knowing her thoughts, he pulled her closer and she allowed herself to nestle next to him. Today she wasn’t going to ask any questions about their relationship. Today she was just going to enjoy.

  “Over here, folks,” John called and snapped a photo when they turned. He motioned to Kate and George to join them and took a few more photos.

  “Okay, guys, it’s time to start the journey back,” he said.

  Reluctantly they followed him across the bridge to the other side for their descent.

  By the time they reached the bottom, Libby’s calves were aching. She stepped inside the check-in point and a wave of giddiness flooded her. She’d done it. She’d climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge and beaten her fear. She grinned.

  “We’ve got to buy the photos, Uncle Ade,” Kate said, striding over to the counter. Libby agreed. She wanted proof she’d done the climb. She was glad George was paying her weekly so she could now afford the pictures.

  When they came out Libby stared at the image of herself and Adrian. They looked cozy together, like a couple. She wanted a copy, so while Adrian and Kate were discussing which photos they would buy, she ordered a group shot and the one of her and Adrian. It was silly, but when the tour was over she wanted something to help her remember it, to remind her it had really happened.

  When the photos had been printed, they wandered down to Circular Quay and on to the Sydney Opera House.

  “Look, Uncle Ade, there’s a whale-watching boat coming back in.” Kate pointed to the large vessel slowly coming into a jetty.

  “Let’s go down and see what tours they have,” Adrian said, and they all walked along to where the boat docked and waited for the passengers to disembark.

  “Wait here and I’ll go and ask,” George said, leaving Adrian, Kate and Libby on the main dock while he questioned the crew about departure times.

  As they waited, Libby scanned the area. The quay was bustling, and there were tourists everywhere, taking photos. Some distance away Libby noticed a blonde woman pointing her camera at them. Libby checked behind to see what she was taking a picture of, but there was nothing there. When she turned back, the woman was gone.

  Libby frowned. The woman had seemed familiar. Before Libby could place her, Adrian touched her hand and said, “How are you feeling?”

  “I’m all right now.”

  “I’m sorry, Libby,” Kate said, her eyes full of concern.

  “It wasn’t your fault,” Libby said, squeezing Kate’s hand. “I was unprepared. I’m glad your uncle has quick reflexes.”

  Kate and Adrian both grinned.

  George returned. “They’ve got a cruise starting in fifteen minutes and there are places left. Are you up for it?” he asked Libby.

  “Sure.” She’d given herself this day and she was going to make the most of it.

  “Adrian?”

  “Please, Uncle Ade. Can we go now?” Kate said.

  “All right.”

  “I’ll book.” George headed over to the booking office.

  “We should get something to eat,” Libby said. She’d spotted a takeaway shop nearby.

  “Good idea,” Adrian said. “I’ll get George his usual.”

  They hurried over, bought the food and got back as the boat was beginning to board. They joined the line and went into one of the cabins below deck, so they could eat while the rest of the passengers were boarding.

  Kate scoffed her food with the gusto of someone who had a better place to be. “Can I go up on deck now?” she asked when she’d finished.

  “You need to wait until one of us has finished,” Adrian told her.

  She pouted and checked how much everyone else had to eat. She zeroed in on Libby, who hadn’t ordered as much as the men.

  Libby laughed and finished off her burger.

  “Come on, Libby.” Kate grabbed her hand.

  “Where are your manners, kiddo?” Adrian asked. “Libby might not be finished.”

  Kate looked at the empty w
rappers in front of Libby, gave her uncle a look that said duh and asked Libby, “Will you come out on the deck with me, please?”

  “Sure.” Libby retrieved her bag from the floor and stood up. “Excuse us, gentlemen.”

  There were three decks, and of course Kate had to go to the top one. The boat pulled away from the dock as Libby followed Kate, weaving around the other passengers before climbing the steps to the top. Kate raced to the rail and looked out toward the Harbour Bridge, where they’d seen the whale. She put a foot on the lower rail to climb up and Libby put a hand on her arm.

  “No you don’t. Can you imagine how much trouble I’d be in if you fell?” she asked, smiling to take the heat out of the scolding.

  “All right.” Kate lowered herself to the deck but stood on her tiptoes. After five minutes of not seeing anything, she turned away from the railing. “Let’s go see if Uncle Ade and George have finished eating yet.” Without waiting for Libby’s response, she moved down the steps.

  As Libby followed she felt someone looking at her and met Adrian’s eyes from across on the second deck. He smiled at her and she almost missed her step. Catching herself before she fell, she continued down. Kate hadn’t seen him, she was so sure they were in the cabin, and was about to head down the next flight of steps.

  “Kate!”

  Kate turned and Libby pointed to Adrian and George. Kate changed direction and moved to where the two men were lounging against the railing, talking. Libby paused, admiring the way Adrian stood, leaning back against the railing, his feet crossed. He was relaxed and comfortable.

  As she approached she noticed that the teenager standing next to Adrian was wearing a Kent Downer T-shirt. When she got closer, she heard the boy talking about how awesome the concert had been and how he’d love to meet Kent.

  Adrian was listening to the teenager, a smile across his face. It must be great to hear the praise and still have your anonymity. The best of both worlds.