He supposed that was possible. Hoisting the pack over his shoulder, pain stabbed him. He gasped.
‘You okay?’
‘Fine.’ Didn’t have to tell her about every ache. ‘Want a drink before hitting the sack?’ he asked. It would be good to chill out together. They didn’t have to talk about their relationship, could just be quiet, or chat about inconsequential stuff. If that was possible, given she’d told him to go.
‘No, thanks.’ She removed the defib from the back of the car befor
e he had a chance.
Figured out he was hurting, had she? ‘I’ll take that,’ he said stubbornly.
‘I’ve got it.’ Pressing the button to close the garage door, she headed inside and down the hall to put the gear away.
As she went into her bedroom, he said, ‘I’ll be gone by sun-up.’ He got no reply.
He didn’t know if that was better than a goodbye or not. Collecting his overnight bag from the bedroom he hadn’t used, he headed to the kitchen where he grabbed a beer before settling into the large comfy recliner chair in the lounge to wait out the hours until his taxi arrived. No point trying to sleep when there were so many thoughts battling for supremacy in his mind.
Just when he’d thought he had his future organised he’d learned he had totally screwed up. Apparently, his own career didn’t fit in with Vicki’s idea of owning a business. Working in the Rose Bay centre was a golden opportunity to get established as a GP in a good area for raising kids. He’d believed he was doing the right thing by them both. How wrong could a bloke be?
Slugging down a mouthful of beer, he stared into the dark corners of the lounge. Apparently, he hadn’t listened to her.
Well, sweetheart, you haven’t exactly made yourself available for phone chats either.
Anger was rising amongst the confusion and hurt. There were two people in this marriage, in this mess. Both were responsible for decisions affecting each other and themselves. The guilt he’d felt at not being there for Vicki when the miscarriage had occurred had never gone away, not even when he’d refused to call her to come to him after the accident. That had been a mistake. The fear of being a paraplegic when he’d first come round and couldn’t move his legs had made him desperate for Vicki to be with him. When he’d finally been reassured his spine was fine, he’d cried for her. Yeah, he’d been an idiot not to let the CO call her. Pride had done that to him.
But he was working at making amends in the only way he knew, and she was turning him down. One of them had got it all wrong. Worse, it might be him. Not a lot he could do except return to Sydney, go for the final interview and await the outcome of that before making any rash decisions that could backfire on him.
* * *
Vicki heard a car door slam and rolled onto her back, glad that the sun was finally lightening the room. Not wanting to bump into Cole and swap more anger and bitterness, she’d stayed in bed long after wanting to get up and do something, anything, to ease the tightness gripping her body. She hadn’t had a wink of sleep and knew he hadn’t used the bedroom next to hers so must’ve stayed in the lounge all night after they’d returned from Sandra’s.
The house was too quiet as she made her way to the kitchen, where she reached for the kettle. Two empty beer bottles stood neatly on the bench. Where was Cole? Then she saw the pad on the table, and her heart slowed. He’d left without saying goodbye. Of course she’d told him to go. She’d meant it, and she hadn’t. Well, she had if they couldn’t find a way out of the hole they found themselves in. At least she could be proud for sticking up for what she wanted. Couldn’t she? This was so crazy. Needing to look out for herself definitely came with consequences.
Her fingers were shaking when she picked up the note.
I got an early flight so ordered a taxi. Take care.
Cole XX
‘Take care’ as in have a good life? Was their marriage really over? Sinking onto a dining chair, she dropped her head into her hands and let the tears come. She’d got what she’d asked for. And hated it. She should’ve tried harder. One more honest, share-everything conversation surely could’ve saved their marriage? They’d talked about many things, shared a lot, yet still it hadn’t been enough. Deep down she really hadn’t wanted, or expected, them to come to this. He hadn’t even let her take him to the airport when they might’ve been able to talk some more and come out the right side of their problems.
Now what?
She needed to get on with her plans for the nursing agency. Find a job to support herself in the interim. Where was the excitement she’d known when thinking about her own business? Gone in a cloud of longing for Cole. It seemed she couldn’t have both.
Lifting her head, she stared around the dining room and then into the lounge. Her gaze landed on her mother’s painting of Palm Beach in a storm. Her heart stalled. Since Mum had finally begun following her dreams she’d become like a flower in the sun, bright, pretty. Looking into the picture, Vicki felt the wind on her face, the rain on her skin, hear the waves breaking on the beach. How did someone do that with a paintbrush? Because Mum believed in herself, in her talent, her passion for art.
I have to believe I can have my dream. And hopefully my man.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
MONDAY MORNING COLE was up early, dressed in a navy suit and tie with a crisp white shirt, ready for the interview with hours to spare.
He wandered around the apartment, picking up photos Vicki had left behind. The two of them at their wedding, on their honeymoon, riding the waves at Bondi Beach—make that trying to ride them.
There was another taken the day he’d joined the army. He wore his officer’s uniform and Vicki wore an enormous smile. Yes, they’d been okay back then. More than okay. They’d been so in love that even in the middle of a crowd there had been times they hadn’t noticed anyone else.
I miss that so much I ache all the time.
Was it worth going to this appointment when, if he got the position, chances were Vicki wouldn’t join him here in Sydney?
Jumping to conclusions here. He might not get the job. That wasn’t a problem. He’d been on the net and seen other opportunities within the city and further out in the suburbs. Though Rose Bay did fit the bill of what he’d thought would be right for him and Vicki and their family when children came along. Right now, all he could do was wait and see how the interview unfolded. Only then could he talk to Vicki about making a commitment to living here. ‘Together,’ he added under his breath.
Putting the last photo back on the sideboard, he picked up his phone. No messages from Vicki. Not that he’d expected any, but a man was allowed to hope. Of course she wouldn’t wish him luck if she didn’t want to move back here. But then again, Vicki was usually fair, and always supported him in any endeavours he chose to undertake, so this was unlike her.
There hadn’t been a peep out of her yesterday either. He’d respected her silence, and hadn’t tried to get in touch. But he’d checked his phone numerous times until finally he’d left it in the bedroom so as not to pick it up every five minutes.
To hell with this hanging around.
He’d head to Rose Bay now. There were cafés there and by the time he’d made it to the township his stomach might be ready to take in some breakfast. If not, he’d go for a walk along the beach until it was nine o’clock, get a feel for the place he wanted to make home.
He did neither. His stomach wasn’t playing ball, neither was the weather. Rain seemed to be the favourite pastime of the skies wherever he went at the moment. But at least this was a passing squall, not a monsoon. He actually smiled. Was this Vicki dumping on him to get his attention? Giving in to his need, he tugged his phone out of his pocket, and texted.
How’s things up there?
She came straight back, making him wonder if she’d been waiting to hear from him.
Drying out slowly. You?
Getting rained on.
LOL
The phone went quiet. No good luck wishes. No questions about yesterday and what he might’ve got up to. Not a lot, but she might’ve asked. He hadn’t even made it over here for a look around, had been too busy on the internet looking up other vacancies around the city—and in Cairns.
He went and found a coffee, to hell with his grizzly stomach.
* * *
Vicki set her phone aside and scanned the notes for her next patient. Cole would be on his way to his int
erview. She should’ve wished him luck. Not that he’d likely need it. He had a strong CV, and his time in the army might be a plus as he was used to different situations where patients were under trying conditions making them fearful and nervous. Maybe not what he’d see in Rose Bay often, but it gave him insight into people’s mindsets he might not have gained otherwise.
‘Vicki, Amelia Green’s here,’ the receptionist called through the door.
‘Coming.’ Quickly scanning the notes on the screen in front of her, Vicki focused on work and Amelia, putting Cole on hold. ‘Hello, Amelia, come through.’ She led the twenty-two-year-old through to her room. ‘I see you’re heading to Vietnam.’
‘I can’t wait. I’ve heard nothing but wonderful comments about the place.’
‘So have I. Take a seat. So you’re here for your Hep A and B shot? You know it’s all in one now?’
‘Yes. The doctor told me that when I first asked what I needed. He said to be aware of rabies and if I get a dog or monkey bite to go straight to the nearest hospital for an injection. Or I could have the vaccination before I go, but I think I’ll go with the first suggestion.’ Amelia handed over her vaccination card. ‘I had the typhoid shot when I went to Eastern Europe.’
‘Right, I’ll fetch the vaccine and we’ll do this. Was it explained that we like you to wait for twenty minutes afterwards in case of an adverse reaction?’
Amelia nodded. ‘I can finish an article on Iceland I started reading before you called me in.’
‘That your next country to visit?’ Vicki asked. She’d never had the travel bug the way Amelia seemed to. Too busy training and then being married to think about disappearing overseas. Europe and Britain had been fun, but hadn’t lit a spark to be dashing off all over the world.
‘I’m thinking about it. The Northern Lights look spectacular in photos.’
‘Right, a sharp prick here.’ Vicki inserted the needle, pressed the plunger, and it was done. She stuck a small plaster over the site. ‘There you go.’