by Di Morrissey
‘Wow, I think it sounds like a wonderful arrangement. I take it you two got on really well up in Cooktown, then? But tell me, have you seen Ant since you went to the Atherton Tableland with him?’
‘No. We’re meeting tonight for dinner. What’s he up to?’
‘No idea. It’s a bit odd, actually,’ said Roberta, cocking her head. ‘He seemed intensely interested in the rainforest, but now he’s just suddenly tossed in his job at the eco-resort and I’ve no idea where he’s working.’
‘Maybe he got another opportunity and decided to go for it,’ said Bella, thinking that Ant had possibly decided to start his tailored travel concept already. ‘Or he just needs a change, like I do, which is why I’m so pleased with my decision to go with Ned.’
‘That sounds like such an exciting move, Bella,’ said Roberta, smiling broadly. ‘I’m so glad your trip went so well!’
Bella felt anxiety rise in her chest and she looked down at her coffee. ‘Actually, Roberta, my trip wasn’t all good. Something awful happened.’
Roberta’s face fell. ‘Oh, Bella, are you all right? What happened?’
Suddenly Bella wanted to share her horrible abduction experience with Roberta. As Bella retold the story, Roberta put her hand on Bella’s arm and listened intently, looking increasingly horrified, then said in a tight voice, ‘That’s despicable. What a horrible thing to happen to you. And they got away. How awful. But at least you’re safe and all in one piece, thanks to the good men in your life.’ Bella nodded. Roberta was a kind friend. They sat quietly for a moment and then, as if sensing that Bella would welcome a change of subject, Roberta said in a bright voice, ‘So why was your boyfriend up here?’
Bella gave a small smile. ‘Brendan flew up when I told him I was thinking of moving here to start a business. Rather uncharacteristically he dropped everything and found me to try to dissuade me.’
‘And did he?’ said Roberta, arching an eyebrow. ‘It sounds as though he really cares about you.’
‘I think that between him and Ned, they did change my mind.’ Bella sipped her coffee. ‘I feel I can really help Ned. I want you to meet my brother sometime so that he can talk to you about your family history, if that’s okay with you.’
‘Of course. I’d love to meet him. Is he staying here?’
‘Well, he’s coming south with me for the time being. I think I told you that we have an important family event in Tennyson and he’s agreed to go to it for our mother’s sake, but I really don’t know what he wants to do after that.’ Then, feeling suddenly remiss that she hadn’t asked about Roberta’s work, Bella said, ‘How about you, how’s everything with your Daintree project?’
‘Wonderful. We have such a dedicated team. We’ve developed a project for school groups. Of course, our activities are tapering off now, with the rainy season and all . . . More coffee?’
Bella shook her head. ‘No, thanks. I’m heading over to the club where Ned played when he was last in Cairns. He’s there now. Want to come?’
*
The club was musty and depressing, as only a darkened and empty nightclub bar can be in the daytime. The two women went through to the stage area, where they could hear music and voices. Ned was jamming with a group of musos, looking happier than he had earlier. He broke into song and the others joined in, listening and nodding as he sang.
Bella felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to find Sarah, who looked pleased to see her. As Bella introduced Sarah to Roberta, Ned stepped off the small stage and came over.
‘Ned, this is Roberta.’
Ned shook her hand warmly. ‘I’m so happy to meet you! Has Bella filled you in on what I’m doing?’ he asked eagerly.
‘Indeed she has. I think it sounds marvellous. How can I help?’
‘When Ned told me his ideas, I thought it sounded pretty amazing,’ said Sarah.
Bella smiled, pleased by their keen interest. At that moment her phone rang, so she excused herself and walked a few steps away.
‘Hi, Antony!’
‘Hiya, baby doll! Welcome back from the wild scrub! How’d you survive?’
‘Pretty well. It’s beautiful country, but remote.’
‘Yeah, Cooktown is pretty much the end of the line. Mind you, there’s great fishing and rough terrain for those outback jockeys.’
‘Where will I meet you tonight?’ asked Bella.
‘Do you mind local and casual . . . ?’
‘Of course not!’
‘The Tiger Bar and Grill. It’s right in town. About eight?’
‘Sure, okay.’
‘It’ll be worth it.’ Antony laughed. ‘I have some ideas to run past you. Be there or be square!’
‘Right,’ said Bella, thinking that she hadn’t heard that expression since she was seven. She rejoined the others and told them about her dinner plans.
‘That’s not a particularly salubrious place, lots of backpackers, loud music and dubious locals,’ said Sarah.
‘Maybe I should come with you,’ said Ned.
Bella rolled her eyes. ‘Don’t be silly, Ned, nothing is going to happen to me in the bright lights of Cairns.’
*
Back in her hotel room, Bella rang her mother and told Josie to expect them home soon. Josie was thrilled to know that Ned was coming back.
‘I can’t wait to see him,’ she said, her voice bubbling with excitement. ‘Brendan popped in yesterday. Such a lovely person. I know he’s only keeping tabs on me for your sake, but I do enjoy his company.’
‘Mum, I’m sure he’s visiting just to see you. Don’t underrate yourself, you’re good company.’
After she said goodbye to her mother, Bella changed into a simple short white dress, adding a colourful silk scarf. She was thinking about what to say to Antony when her phone rang. As soon as she saw Brendan’s number on the screen, she broke into a smile.
‘Hey, you,’ she answered.
‘Hey, yourself. Enjoying the big smoke?’
Bella chuckled. ‘You’re right, Cairns does seem really big after Cooktown.’
‘What are you and Ned up to?’
‘I’m just going out to see a man about a job, and then I’ll be flying home the day after tomorrow. And Bren, thanks for popping in to see Mum.’
‘And who is the man and what is the job?’ Brendan asked hesitantly.
Bella paused. ‘I’m meeting Antony. I have to tell him I’ve changed my plans and am going to go in a different direction.’
Brendan’s voice was tender and he couldn’t disguise the warmth in it as he said, ‘I have to say that makes me happy. Back to the council, then?’
‘No, I’ve decided that Ned needs a manager, so I’m going to fill that role. Bit of a gamble, I admit, but I want to give it a shot. I know he’s got the musical talent to make his ideas work, but he’s really not very good at the practical side of things, and I am. Besides, I really need a change of direction and this is a wonderful opportunity.’
‘Bella, this is a terrific idea,’ said Brendan enthusiastically. ‘You’ll make a wonderful manager. Ned is lucky to have you on his team!’
‘Thanks, Bren,’ said Bella. ‘And I’ve even convinced Ned to come to the dedication ceremony.’
‘Well done, Bell,’ said Brendan. ‘Success all round!’
Bella hesitated. She wondered if she should tell Brendan about her father and his secret family. Did Brendan need to know about the sordid affair? Would telling him be an act of disloyalty to Josie? No, she decided, for now, at least, it would stay a secret between her and Ned. Then it struck her that keeping such a secret from Brendan was not a good basis on which to build any serious relationship.
Brendan caught her brief hesitation. ‘Bella, I’m so glad you’re coming home. I’ve really missed you.’
‘I’ve missed you too,’ she said. ‘And, Brenda
n – I’d love to move in with you.’
Bella could almost sense Brendan’s smile down the line. ‘Oh, Bella, that’s wonderful news. I’m so happy to hear that.’ Brendan’s voice was filled with emotion. ‘I love you so much. I’ll do anything for you, Bell.’
Bella felt warmth and tenderness fill her heart. ‘I know that now, Bren. I really do. And I love you very much, too.’
‘I’ll see you soon, then.’
‘Of course. I’ll let you know what’s happening.’
‘Love you, Bella.’
‘Yes, I love you, too.’
When she’d hung up, Bella stared at the phone in the palm of her hand. What a good, caring man Brendan was. She felt lucky to have him. She knew then she would tell him about her father’s secret. In a way she wanted to share the pain of Alex’s betrayal with him. It was hard to admit she had always seen herself as her father’s princess, the apple of his eye, and the centre of his universe, and now she had discovered that somewhere there was another little girl who also believed she was the queen of Alex’s heart. The discovery of her father’s deception was more hurtful than she could bear to think about. But at least she knew that Brendan would never deceive her in the way Alex had deceived Josie.
*
By the time night had fallen, the rain had cleared and a fresh breeze was reducing the humidity. With nothing else to do, Bella decided to walk to the Tiger Bar and Grill. It turned out to be a lot closer to her hotel than she had thought.
As soon as she reached it, Bella knew Sarah had been right; it was a bit of a dive. Maybe Antony just wanted to meet there before going on elsewhere. The place was a hostel catering for backpackers and attached to it was a bar, an eatery and a billiards and games room with a large TV screen at one end. The walls were lined with banks of computers, and there was a small dance area where a DJ was playing loud music. Bella went to the tiny reception area, where several girls were checking in. The girl behind the desk looked curiously at Bella.
‘Excuse me, where is the restaurant?’ asked Bella.
‘In there,’ said the girl in a strong German accent. Bella guessed she was on a working holiday. She glanced into the crowded room, but she couldn’t see Antony.
‘I was supposed to meet someone here for dinner.’
The girl looked amused. ‘You want to save table?’
‘No. That’s fine, thank you.’ Bella backed out.
Feeling uncomfortable and very out of place, Bella went back outside and glanced at her watch. Seeing that it was still well before eight, she decided to walk a little further along the street to get away from the noise and the unpleasant smell of the premises. Looking across the road, she could see that there were apartment buildings and a park opposite, and further along there was a small shopping mall, several cafés and the neon sign of a bar. It was an unprepossessing area. She wondered if Antony lived nearby and just used this place as a convenient spot to eat.
Suddenly, to her surprise, she spotted Antony’s car parked under a streetlight on the other side of the road.
She walked towards the car, and was only a few metres away when she saw there were two men sitting inside it, having a very animated conversation in the front seat. She recognised Antony and wondered if she should go up to the car and greet him, but then decided she didn’t want to interrupt what seemed to be an intense talk. As she stood, watching the car from the footpath opposite, the man in the passenger seat turned his head.
Even though he was now wearing a red T-shirt, and not the blue shirt that was imprinted in her brain, Bella knew straight away who it was, but was too shocked to move. She stared at the car, frozen in her tracks. Suddenly the man glanced up and saw her, and surprise, then fury, registered on his face.
They both reacted at the same time. Bella spun around and began running in her sandalled feet back down the street. She heard a car door slam followed by a shout from Antony. Seriously frightened, she kept running as she heard the sound of pounding feet behind her.
There was no one else on the street, so she decided to head back to the safety of the hostel. The footsteps seemed to be getting closer as she pushed open its door and looked for help at the reception desk. There was no one there.
Bella looked around frantically and saw the door of the ladies’ room, which was marked Sheilas. Bella raced across the little lobby and pushed through the door. Inside, she ran into one of the cubicles and locked the door. With shaking hands, she pulled out her phone and rang Ned. Thankfully he answered straight away.
‘Ned . . . Ned . . . he’s here . . . come quickly . . . I’m at the Tiger Bar and Grill. It’s a hostel.’
‘Bella? Who’s there? What are you talking about?’
‘Ned . . . the guy who grabbed me. The one in the blue shirt, except he’s wearing a red T-shirt now. He’s chasing me . . . Oh please, get here fast!’
‘Where exactly are you?’
‘In the ladies’ loo!’
‘Keep the door locked and call the cops.’ Ned was wasting no more time asking unnecessary questions. ‘I’m on my way.’
Bella cowered in the toilet cubicle, shaking and frightened, but before she had a chance to do as Ned said, she heard the door to the ladies’ room open and knew that someone had come in. As quietly as she could, Bella pulled her feet up so that she couldn’t be spotted from under the door and held her breath as she heard each door methodically being pushed open.
The footsteps stopped outside her cubicle. She froze, too frightened to shout for help. Silently she implored her brother to hurry, just hurry.
Suddenly the cubicle door exploded inwards and Bella was roughly pulled out. She tried to scream, but before she had the chance, a hand was clamped tightly over her mouth while her arm was twisted behind her back. As she was dragged across the bathroom floor, she fought and kicked at her assailant until her head knocked against a handbasin, stunning her.
Bella’s head was pounding and she felt weak as she was dragged along. But then she heard Ned shouting for her. Spurred on by the sound of his voice, Bella used what strength she had left to try to break free. Abruptly, her assailant flung her to the ground and she heard footsteps running away. Then she felt herself being lifted up.
‘Bella . . . what happened, are you okay?’ Ned’s voice was flooded with relief.
Another set of footsteps approached. ‘Bella! Are you all right? What happened?’ It was Antony’s voice.
Bella tried to open her eyes, but she struggled. ‘Ned . . .’ she gasped. ‘The man in the blue shirt . . . he attacked me . . .’ She tried to say more, but her head was spinning. ‘Antony, you were with him.’
‘What?’ exclaimed Antony and Ned in unison. Ned was clearly concerned by Bella’s statement, but Antony’s voice had a strange tone to it. Before he could say more, Bella’s legs buckled as darkness closed over her and she passed out.
*
Bella woke with a throbbing head. She moaned softly and tried to open her eyes.
‘Take it easy, Bell. You’re in the hospital. You’ve had quite a bang to your head.’
‘Ned?’ said Bella. The lights in the room seemed too bright, and she squinted to see him. Then suddenly she remembered all that had happened. ‘Ned, the man in the blue shirt. He was the one who attacked me! I saw him talking with Antony! You have to believe me.’
‘Bella, it’s okay,’ said Ned soothingly. ‘I know. I heard you say it before. I called the police and they turned up right after you passed out. I told them what you said. They searched the area, but they couldn’t find the man with the red T-shirt. I brought you to the hospital.’
‘But what about Antony? Ned, I saw him sitting in his car talking to that man.’ Her voice trembled with frustration.
‘Are you sure?’ said Ned in a worried voice. ‘Antony said he has no idea what you’re talking about. He said he arrived at the hostel just after I
did. He said he was running late. He’d been in another bar across town and had come straight from there to meet you and wasn’t talking to anyone in his car. He seemed very concerned.’
‘Ned, I don’t care what he says. I’m sure that I saw the two of them together in Ant’s car. I know I did! Don’t you believe me?’ Bella felt her throat constrict and her voice waver.
‘Of course I believe you,’ said Ned, taking her hand.
Later, two police officers came to speak to Bella and she gave them a more coherent account of what had happened.
‘Please, I know the guy who chased me tonight was the same one who abducted me in Cooktown. I got a very good look at him both times. I don’t understand what he was doing with Antony, and I don’t know why Antony lied.’
The policewoman closed her notebook. ‘That hostel has had a few issues, so they’ve got cameras inside and outside. It’s a bit of a dodgy place, so I don’t know how reliable the CCTV will be, but we’ll have a good look.’
‘It doesn’t sound like a very nice place for a dinner date,’ said Ned dryly.
‘From my experience of Ant, he seems to be attracted to places at the lower end of the market. Says they’re more authentic,’ said Bella. ‘Did you speak to Antony?’ she asked the policewoman.
‘Yes, we did, and we were able to confirm that he was with someone earlier and he told that person that he had to leave at once for a date at eight. We don’t think he could have arrived at the Tiger Bar and Grill any sooner than he did.’
Bella shook her head. ‘That’s just not true,’ she mumbled, but she couldn’t see any way to prove it.
‘Now you’ve been patched up and cleared by the hospital, why don’t you go back to your hotel and rest?’ said the other police officer. ‘We’ll let you know if there’s anyone we want you to identify in the CCTV footage. How long will you be in Cairns?’
‘We’re both flying home to Victoria the day after tomorrow,’ replied Ned.
‘Stick to your plans. We have your contact details; if we find anything, we’ll be in touch.’