‘How long will you be away?’ Jane asked.
‘Less than a week. I’ll be back on the 28th. Plenty of time to get ready for the ball.’ Isabelle smiled. ‘As long as my dress arrives in time, otherwise I’m not going.’
Jane’s eyes twinkled. ‘Are you two going together?’
Isabelle felt her cheeks turning bright red. ‘Yes, we are.’
Matt looked around furtively, his eyes sparkling. ‘And don’t tell anyone, but I’m actually looking forward to it,’ he said with a chuckle.
‘Surprisingly, so am I,’ Isabelle agreed.
‘You two will look just gorgeous together,’ Jane gushed.
‘Thank you,’ Isabelle and Matt replied in unison.
‘How’s Fletcher’s arm?’ Jane asked.
‘So far it’s good. He hasn’t complained once.’
‘Just as well he was with you, Matt,’ Jane said.
His face fell. ‘I’m not sure Isabelle would agree with you.’
Isabelle touched him on the arm. ‘I said I was sorry. It would have been a lot worse if he’d fallen and you hadn’t been there. You kept him calm and splinted his wrist. I might not have shown it at the time, but I’m grateful.’
Matt rewarded her with his biggest smile.
Kim Bailey and one of the other mothers from school walked in. They waved to Isabelle and Matt before taking a seat at the other end of the garden.
‘I’ll be over soon,’ Jane called out to her before turning back to Isabelle. ‘Well, dear, you have a lovely Christmas and I’ll see you when you get back.’
‘Thanks, Jane. Merry Christmas to you and Joe too.’
‘Enjoy your meals.’
When Jane was gone, Matt leaned closer. ‘What I’m really looking forward to seeing is you in this dress you keep talking about.’
Isabelle felt her face warm again. She dipped a chip in sauce and brought it to her mouth. ‘I’m a bit worried it’s going to be too much for Stony Creek.’
‘I doubt it. I’m sure you’re going to look amazing.’
‘What will you do for Christmas?’ she asked. If she didn’t steer the conversation in a different direction right now she’d be suggesting they skip lunch to take him home for a preview.
‘Joe and Jane put on a Christmas lunch here at the pub for us orphans.’
She frowned. ‘Orphans? Don’t you have family?
‘I do, but they’re spread around and we only get together every second year. One sister’s in Perth and the other one lives in Tassie. Mum and Dad are in Newcastle.’
Isabelle’s heart sank. ‘So that means you won’t be in Stony Creek for Christmas next year.’
Matt picked up her hand and drew lazy circles across her skin with his thumb. Her heart began beating erratically at his soft touch and she had to force herself to concentrate on what they were talking about.
‘I thought I’d invite them all to Stony Creek next year so they can meet you and the kids …’ His voice trailed off but his eyes never left her face. It was the first time he’d mentioned anything about a long term future together.
A delightful flutter started low in Isabelle’s stomach. She swallowed hard and smiled. ‘I’d really like that.’
‘So, is the clinic closed over Christmas?’ he asked, then bit into a chip. ‘Geoff and Alison have already headed down to Adelaide to be with family.’
‘Yeah, we closed up yesterday.’
Matt’s brow creased.
‘Why do you ask?’
‘No reason, but I walked past the clinic on my way here and I thought I saw Hugo’s car.’
It was Isabelle’s turn to frown. ‘Can’t be, he went back to Adelaide yesterday too. Are you sure it was his?’
‘Who else around here drives a silver Audi?’
‘That would be his,’ she agreed. ‘Maybe he just forgot something and came back.’
Matt shook his head. ‘There were two other cars parked out front. They didn’t belong to anyone from town. Perhaps he’s here seeing patients.’
Isabelle picked at a fingernail. Should she mention her concerns?
‘What’s been going on?’ Matt asked.
She was amazed at how well he could read her. Dan used to be able to do that too. She leaned forward and lowered her voice. ‘I think I know where the drugs are coming from.’
Matt’s eyes darkened. ‘What? Where?’
‘Hugo. At the clinic.’
He sat forward in his seat, shifting from off-duty cop to instantly alert. ‘What’s been happening?’
For the next ten minutes Isabelle told him everything, leaving nothing out. She was probably embellishing some of the stories, but the more she thought about it, the more she realised Hugo did act very mysteriously. In the last few days, his behaviour had become even more erratic – he’d jumped every time she entered his office. He’d seen more patients than ever in one day, each appointment lasting just minutes and almost none of them were billed. Even Alison had commented the week before that she couldn’t wait for Hugo’s dad Adrian to return to work and for things to go back to normal.
‘I wish you’d told all of this me sooner, Issie,’ Matt said.
She hung her head, feeling his disappointment. ‘I’m sorry, Matt. Leah told me I had to say something, but I was worried I’d lose my job. I really can’t afford to.’
Matt frowned. ‘Who else knows something’s going on? Rachel?’
‘No one as far as I know, unless Leah’s said anything.’
Matt pushed his unfinished meal away, scowling. ‘I can’t believe Leah didn’t say anything either. She knows my thoughts on drugs.’
There was stony silence between them and Isabelle felt like she’d made a huge mistake and let him down.
‘If his car’s there, maybe you could go and see him,’ she suggested.
Suddenly Matt sat forward, wincing and grabbing at his stomach.
‘Matt! What’s wrong?’ Worry shot straight through her like a warm knife through butter.
‘I think I’ve got appendicitis,’ Matt said.
She sprang up. ‘WHAT?’
Matt leaned back in this chair and grinned. ‘I’m only joking.’
Isabelle dropped back into her chair and exhaled. ‘Don’t do that to me. I thought you were really sick.’
‘Sorry, I didn’t meant to scare you. I just had a thought. If I show up at the clinic with appendicitis, Hugo won’t know I’m joking. If he’s up to anything, I’ll be able to tell.’
‘You’re crazy,’ she said with a laugh.
‘Nothing to lose. I need to find out where the drugs are coming from.’
‘Have there been more reports?’
‘No, not from anyone local, but it sounds like it’s only a matter of time. There’s been some problems in other districts.’ Matt put a twenty dollar note under his plate and shoved back his chair. ‘Come on, let’s go and visit the good doctor and see if he can diagnose me.’
Isabelle followed him out the door. ‘If you want him to believe you, you’d better make sure you’re clutching your right side, not your left,’ she said.
Matt stopped and put both hands on the right side of his belly and squeezed. ‘Like this?’
‘Lower.’
‘Right. Got it,’ he said. ‘Let’s go. While we walk to the clinic you can tell me what other signs and symptoms I’d be displaying if it really was appendicitis.’ He took off again and this time Isabelle almost had to jog to keep up with his long strides.
Two minutes they were standing outside the clinic. Three cars were parked in front. One was Hugo’s Audi, the others were both unfamiliar to Matt.
‘They don’t belong to anyone local,’ he said.
The street was eerily quiet – even the birds seemed unusually silent. The sun beat down on them as they stood deciding what to do next.
‘Do you need to call for back up or something?’ Isabelle asked. Her stomach clenched. She was more nervous than she’d ever been in her life, and suddenly had a
new respect for the police.
Matt squeezed her hand. ‘I’m not doing a drug bust, Issie, I’m just seeing a doctor about my about-to-burst appendix.’
Isabelle forced herself to relax. Nothing could go wrong if she was with Matt. Above all, he’d protect her. ‘Then make sure you tell him you’ve been sick. Nauseated and vomiting. Fevers too, otherwise he definitely won’t believe you.’
Matt frowned then. ‘I’m not a very good actor.’
‘But I am,’ Isabelle said.
The clinic door was locked but Isabelle used her key, turning it quietly in the lock. Inside the waiting room was dark. The curtains were drawn, the lights were off and it was stifling hot. Maybe they’d made a mistake. There was no sign that anyone had been inside since she’d left and locked up the night before. She turned to Matt and shrugged.
Matt indicated Hugo’s partially open office door and raised his eyebrows in question.
‘I locked that door when I left last night,’ she whispered.
‘Why are you whispering?’ Matt whispered back.
‘In case he’s in here,’ she hissed.
‘We want him to be here, remember? I’m sick. I need a doctor.’ For effect, Matt groaned softly.
Isabelle punched him lightly on the arm. The back door slammed, making them both jump. Outside, a car engine revved.
‘Something’s definitely going on,’ Matt said. He raced to the front door and flung it open. Isabelle got there just in time to see the dust billowing from a car hooning down the street. Hugo’s car was still out front, alongside a black hatchback.
A noise inside had them spinning around to find Hugo standing in the waiting room watching them. Where had he come from? Isabelle couldn’t read the expression on his face, but his eyes were narrowed, his face flushed. If guilty had a look, Hugo was wearing it.
He flicked back his hair. ‘Hi, Isabelle. Matthew. What’s wrong? The clinic’s closed.’
‘I know it’s closed,’ Isabelle said. ‘But Matt’s really sick. He told me he’d seen your car here so I brought him over to see you.’
Matt groaned for effect. Isabelle stifled a smile. He really was a shocking actor.
‘If it’s an emergency you should have taken him to Booleroo.’
‘Why? If you’re here, you can see him.’
‘I’m here on personal business.’
Leah’s warning words echoed in Isabelle’s mind.
‘What kind of personal business?’ Matt asked, dropping his charade.
Hugo glared at him. ‘None of your business.’
‘It is if you’re doing something illegal,’ Matt retorted.
Hugo snorted, the sound bouncing off the walls. Matt scowled, and once again Isabelle was glad she was on the right side of the law. Matt was very intimidating when he was in work mode.
A noise had them all turning as the door to the treatment room swung open and a dishevelled woman tottered out on high heels, her short skirt twisted sideways. She took one look at them, turned and bolted, dropping a small plastic packet of white powder. Matt roared for her to stop and then swore when she didn’t.
He chased after her and a second later the back door slammed. After all the commotion, suddenly everything went quiet. Isabelle shuddered. She was alone with Hugo. She spun around just as he took a step towards her. Fear laced itself around her spine and her breathing became shallow. She inched backwards towards the front door. What if he had a gun? She forced herself to take a deep breath. She’d been watching far too much television.
‘As you can see, Belle, I’m here on personal business,’ Hugo winked and took another step closer. His eyes were glazed.
She stiffened and stood her ground, drawing herself tall. ‘With a woman who looks like that?’ Isabelle scoffed. ‘You must be really desperate. She’d have to be over twice your age, Hugo.’
‘Ah, Belle, you’re just regretting you didn’t say yes to me when you had the chance.’
‘As if,’ Isabelle spluttered.
*
The woman ahead of Matt stumbled in her high heels and he caught her easily before she was even halfway to her car. He didn’t have to ask what she was doing – she admitted to purchasing drugs from Hugo, and not for the first time.
He was leading her back inside when he heard Isabelle’s voice, low and filled with fury and disgust, telling Hugo to back off and leave her alone.
Matt was filled with a different kind of anger.
‘Care to explain what’s going on?’ he demanded. He was fighting hard to control his temper. What he wanted to do was grab Hugo by the throat and shove him against the wall. Firstly for threatening Issie, and secondly for bringing drugs into Stony Creek.
‘Do you always jump to conclusions?’ Hugo asked.
‘Hardly need to when she’s just admitted you sold her the drugs,’ Matt said, pointing to the woman who was swaying, and looked like she was about to be sick.
‘She can say what she likes. The drugs aren’t mine.’
Matt fought back the urge to punch him. ‘Why, Hugo? You’re a bloody doctor! You should know better.’
I’m not saying another word,’ Hugo said, flicking his hair back and glaring at Matt.
‘Fine. But you’re both coming with me down to the station.’ Matt glanced at Isabelle. She was shaking. ‘Issie, here’s my keys. Run over to my place and bring back the police vehicle.’
She hesitated. ‘Am I allowed to drive it?’
‘Under the circumstances, absolutely yes.’
*
Half an hour later, Isabelle was home. Matt had called a cop from another district and he’d arrived straightaway to escort Hugo and the woman to a larger police station where they were currently being questioned. At the station, Matt hugged Isabelle briefly, but it was obvious he had more important things on his mind. She imagined he had a mountain of paperwork to tackle. She kissed him on the cheek and wished him ‘Merry Christmas’. The next time they’d see each other would be the day of the ball.
Chapter 34
Isabelle woke on the morning of New Year’s Eve to the promise of another sweltering day. Since arriving back in South Australia from Geelong, they hadn’t had a day under thirty-five degrees. It was dry and dusty and there was the constant threat of fires sparking somewhere in the district, but today no one would be bothered by the heat. They were all focused on the ball.
Isabelle sat in the shade of her front veranda with her feet up, music playing softly on her iPod, new book in hand. It was quiet except for the buzzing of the cicadas. Mietta and Fletcher had left straight after breakfast and were out at Leah’s parents’ farm, checking out the new puppies. Isabelle was enjoying a slice of peace, until Rachel pulled up in her car.
Rachel climbed out, carrying a large white parcel.
‘Hi, Issie,’ she yelled out from the street. ‘It’s here.’ She held the package in the air as she let herself in the front gate. ‘I presume it’s your dress for the ball. It just arrived down at the shop and I figured you’d want it.’ She grinned and handed the package over.
Isabelle exhaled in relief. She had no idea what she would have done if the dress hadn’t arrived. ‘Thanks. You didn’t have to bring it over. I would have come down to the post box to collect it myself.’
Rachel waved it off and plonked down in the opposite chair. ‘It wasn’t a problem. I was down there when the mail was delivered and thought I’d bring it straight over.’
‘Thanks.’
Isabelle wished Rachel would leave. Her fingers itched to tear off the packaging, but there was no way she was going to open in front of Rachel. She was becoming more nosy than most of the old ladies in town combined. The polite thing would be to offer her a drink, but Isabelle kept her mouth closed. The house looked like a bomb had gone off and she didn’t want to have to apologise for the mess. She sat the package on the table beside her and curbed her curiosity.
She pasted on her happiest smile. ‘How was Christmas?’
‘It w
as lovely,’ Rachel said.
For the next few minutes she gave Isabelle a blow by blow account of her Christmas and Boxing Day celebrations, including every single present that had been given and received. When she’d finally exhausted her words, she collapsed back in the chair. ‘Of course we all ate too much. I’m sure I’ve put on five kilos.’ She patted her waist. ‘So how was yours? You went home didn’t you?’
Home? Isabelle licked her lips. No. Home wasn’t Torquay anymore, Stony Creek was. ‘It was okay,’ she replied cautiously.
Rachel clamped a hand over her mouth. ‘Oh, God, I’m so sorry. I didn’t think.’
Isabelle offered a small smile. ‘It’s fine. Christmas was good. The kids coped better than I expected. Mietta was just happy Santa found her. She was so worried he wouldn’t know where she lived any more.’
On Christmas Eve Isabelle had sat on a picnic rug in Johnstone Park in Geelong on the outer edge of her group of friends. As she’d held her candle and tried to sing along to the Christmas carols, past the painful lump in her throat, it was evident that everyone had moved on with their lives and nothing was the way it used to be. Isabelle had watched Fletcher and Mietta closely and it was obvious they didn’t want to be there either – like her, they wanted to be with Matt and their new friends in Stony Creek.
Christmas day was harder than she’d anticipated as well, and staying with her parents in their tiny unit only made things harder. Her mother did nothing except complain about the untidy mess in the cramped space. The fact it rained all day only made things worse as no one could escape outside.
Three days after Christmas they made the long drive back to Stony Creek with a sense of purpose and excitement and a realisation they had all moved on too.
When Rachel finally cottoned on to the fact Isabelle wasn’t going to show her the dress, she left. The second she was out of sight Isabelle shot up and went inside, tearing open the parcel in the privacy of her bedroom. She pulled it out and was lost for words. It was even more stunning than its online image and quite simply was the most beautiful gown she’d ever owned. She hoped Leah wasn’t joking when she said people got dressed up, otherwise she was going to look ridiculously out of place.
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