of her split with Ben. Over the past few days, however, the realisation had at last begun to sink in. She was not to become Mrs. Hillier; her future no longer lay comfortable and secure before her.
All things considered, it had not been a particularly successful evening, she thought as the car gathered speed. That man had quite unnerved her. Thank heavens she was to begin nursing again next week; the demanding physical and mental nature of the job would leave her little time or energy to dwell on affairs of the heart.
Uncle Mike had arranged for her to work in the ‘country’ hospital of Port Dampland, a town with a population of around twelve thousand, which handled the shipping of iron ore supplied by two nearby mines.
‘It’s a rough and ready place,’ her uncle had warned her. ‘There’s sea on one side and desert on the other. Few shops, no theatre, one pub and the hospital. You could be lonely there, Kate.’
Frankly, it had sounded just what she needed—lots of hard work as a nurse in her beloved theatres. It needed stamina, anticipation and dexterity to be a good scrub nurse, and Kate had been told that she was one of the best.
The taxi drew up outside the imposing white colonial-styled house of her relatives. Her uncle had emigrated from England twenty years previously, a newly-married houseman at the time. Now he was Chief of Surgery at Perth’s largest hospital.
She paid the taxi-driver and, hearing no sounds from the house, wandered through the gardens towards the swimming pool where her uncle and aunt often sat to drink their coffee after dinner. She strolled across the lawn, whose manicured emerald smoothness belied the heat of the harsh Australian sun. There were hundreds of wild flowers massed around the edges of the lawn, and the fading light seemed only to intensify their colours, making them jewel-bright and unreal.
She made a beautiful, wraith-like vision, her hair like a shimmering waterfall as she picked her way towards the table where her aunt and uncle were sitting. She could see that they had a guest, a man, sitting with his back to her.
Her aunt saw her and waved. ‘Kate!’ she called. ‘How lovely? Come and have some coffee.’
As she drew nearer, Kate realised with a start that she recognised the broad line of those shoulders. She recognised the dark curls which showed jet against the white of his shirt collar. Furiously, she realised that her heart was thumping painfully in her chest.
He turned in his chair to greet the niece of his host, and she had the pleasure of reading the momentary discomfiture which flashed across his face. Then it was gone and he was on his feet, hand outstretched, that hateful sarcastic smile on his lips.
Her uncle smiled broadly. ‘I’d like you to meet Grant Kershaw, Kate. He’s one of our rising stars and, though I hate to admit it, my most likely successor! Grant—my niece Kate Carpenter.’
‘How do you do, Miss Carpenter?’ he said formally, extending his hand and clasping her own.
So he was not going to acknowledge their earlier meeting, thought Kate angrily. And no wonder, since he behaved so rudely towards her. Well, two can play at your silly games, Mr. Kershaw! she thought doggedly.
‘Very well, thank you,’ she answered coolly as she sat down in the chair he’d pulled out for her. ‘Enjoying both the Australian sun and the warm hospitality of its people.’ She smiled at him politely and he winced slightly.
‘How was the party, darling?’ enquired her aunt as she handed her a cup of coffee. ‘I’m suprised that you didn’t run into each other.’
‘It was a bit of a crush, Auntie. I spent most of the time chatting to Paul and Joanne. Actually, I’m feeling quite tired, so I think I’ll turn in soon, if you don’t mind.’
‘You do that, Katie,’ replied her aunt. ‘Make the most of the last few days of your holiday!’ She turned and smiled at Grant. ‘I’m glad that you’ve met each other, though. At least you’ll know one person in Port Dampland, Kate.’
Kate saw him start while she herself grew hot. She noticed that he was avoiding her eyes.
‘Grant is doing a year as Surgeon-in-Charge at Port Dampland Hospital,’ her aunt explained. ‘Kate is a theatre nurse, Grant, and starts at Dampland Hospital next week. I expect you’ll be working together quite often.’
‘I expect we will, Mrs. Saunders, and I shall look forward to it.’ He smiled evenly at his hostess.
How disgustingly obsequious! thought Kate. Now that he knew she was related to his boss, his earlier rudeness had been replaced by charm itself. He obviously thought he could behave just how the mood took him, where women were concerned. Well, he wouldn’t find her so easily manipulated!
‘I’m going up to Dampland myself tommorrow,’ continued the surgeon. ‘I’ll be travelling in a converted jeep, and spend a couple of days getting there. It’s a marvellous opportunity to see the Australian bush. If you’d care to come along, Kate, there’s plenty of room, and I should be a most willing guide. That is, if your uncle approves of the arrangement.’
‘Good heavens, yes, Grant,’ answered her uncle. ‘I’m sure Kate would have a wonderful time and is perfectly capable of looking after herself.’
‘How very thoughtful of you to make such a kind offer,’ said Kate stiffly. ‘Thank you very much, but I intended to fly, and I’m looking forward to it. I’m picking up my ticket tomorrow, actually.’ She looked directly at Grant Kershaw.
‘Look here,’ he appealed, ‘that’s easily changed. Do come!’ He sounded as though he meant it.
Perhaps he was feeling guilty, and so he should be, she thought. His behaviour earlier had been quite unwarranted. No doubt he was used to changing women’s minds . . . but Kate could be stubborn.
And, if she were being entirely honest, she wasn’t sure that she wanted to spend two days in close confinement with such a dangerous man. She lifted her chin.
‘Thanks again, Mr. Kershaw,’ she replied, trying to sound as indifferent as possible, ‘but I really do enjoy flying, and my mind is made up. Now if you’ll excuse me.’
She turned to kiss her uncle and aunt goodnight, but not before she had seen his lips tighten in anger. He obviously wasn’t used to having his wishes thwarted! she thought gleefully.
Her goodnights said, she picked up the black silk shawl which she had slung across the back of one of the garden chairs and walked slowly towards the house. She sensed his eyes on her and looking casually over her shoulder, saw that she had perceived correctly. He looked furious too!
As she showered later, Kate puzzled at the unpredictable nature of sexual chemistry. She had quite definitely felt a strong pull towards the lofty surgeon she had met twice that evening, yet the man was a complete stranger and a condescending one, moreover.
On the other hand, she had gone out with Ben for over two years and sometimes they had seemed more like brother and sister.
That was probably the root of all the trouble, she thought as she rubbed shampoo into her hair. They had known each other since schooldays, when Ben used to see the young Kate safely home. Their parents even played tennis and bridge together in the sleepy Surrey village. Then Ben had gone away to study law and Kate had stayed behind to do her ‘A’ levels.
They had met up again in London where Kate was doing nursing training and Ben was reading for the bar, and had slipped into being girlfriend and boyfriend. All their friends had been so pleased, and had said what a perfect couple they made. Both sets of parents were delighted. Everything seemed so cosy and familiar. There had been talk of an engagement, and Kate had been mulling over her answer.
If she hadn’t decided to pay a surprise visit to Ben’s London flat, she might never have discovered him, in what she believed was known as a compromising situation, with a young redheaded secretary from his chambers.
It had been unbelievably sordid. And to her astonishment, Ben had seemed to imagine that she would forgive this one lapse