Page 82 of In Full Bloom

Eventually the bush block comes into view. It’s a fenced off area of native trees and shrubs that sits on the back boundary of the property. The stream that gives the back stream paddock its very original name emerges from the bush block, but I’ve never ventured past the fence line to explore further.

I skid to a stop beside the fence where the stream passesunder it and kick down the bike stand. Leaving it there, I scramble over the fence and follow the stream up the hill.

It’s gorgeous in here, everything is lush and green. Sweeping fern fronds crowd the ground while towering trees dapple sunlight over mossy rocks. The sun is starting to fade, so the light is slightly gloomy, but I imagine in the middle of the day this place is a haven, especially for someone in the middle of an emotional upheaval.

As I work my way up the stream, the trickling sound slowly gives way to crashing water. I step around a bend in the creek, careful not to slip on a particularly mossy rock, and the waterfall comes into view.

I stop and stare at it. How have I been here all this time and not known about it?

When Flynn said waterfall I assumed he was meaning a little fall, half a metre or so with a small trickle of water. The reality is over two metres tall. The water spills over the edge of a boulder and plummets into a small pool at the bottom before swirling down past where I stand. It doesn’t look like the flow is usually very high, but after the rain we had earlier in the week, it’s currently gushing fast and free, the splashing echoing through the trees.

I tear my gaze away from the sight, making a note somewhere in my brain to bring Sadie here one day.

I need to find Katie. She isn’t immediately obvious. She’s not screaming into the rock face or standing out in the open waiting for me.

After a moment of scanning, I spot her, the white of her shirt out of place in the greens and browns of nature.

She’s sitting on the ground near the pool, curled into a tight ball with her knees pulled up to her chest. Her head is across her knees as she stares into the tumbling waterfall.

I slow as I approach her, not wanting to startle her. My plan fails when I’m too busy watching her and I step on one of those extra slippery rocks I’ve been so careful to avoid. I shift my weight to it and my foot disappears from under me, ending up in the creek. The splash and my muttered curse breaks Katie from her zoned out stupor and she lifts her head.

I drag myself out of the stream, shaking off the worst of the water. Luckily I managed to stay upright so it’s only my foot that got wet. I’ll have to deal with my soaked boot later.

“Katie,” I say as I approach her.

Her eyes are following my movements, but I don’t think she’s fully registering my presence.

I kneel on the ground in front of her. She’s sitting close enough to the waterfall that the spray is hitting us and the side of her body is soaked and chilled. Her white shirt is plastered to her arm.

“Katie,” I say again, reaching out to rest my hand on her arm.

She flinches at my touch and I try not to let that shatter my heart completely. I pull my hand away and settle back on my heels. The knees of my jeans are already soaked through.

“Why’re you here?” she asks in a harsh whisper, her voice raw and raspy.

“I needed to find you,” I say.

“You didn’t follow me.” Her voice cracks and a tear runs down her already tearstained cheeks.

“I did,” I say, running a hand through my hair. “I told Max what I thought of him, then followed you.”

“I waited but you didn’t come outside,” she says. “I understand though. It’s okay.” She sucks in a breath and I can hear it shaking.

“There was a … complication that delayed me. I was coming after you, Katie. I promise.” I reach out and lace my fingers through hers, squeezing tight. It’s a relief when she lets me touch her, but she doesn’t respond in any way and it causes my heart to clench.

“It’s okay,” she says again. “I figured you just realised the same thing I did.”

“What’s that?”

“That I can’t stay here. I was right from the start. I can’t stay here, even though I really want to.” The waver in her voice collapses and she’s sobbing, pressing her face into her knees. She cries and cries, never releasing my hands, which I take as a good sign. I want to take the pain away, but there is nothing I can do right now except hold onto her. I need to wait until she can hear me properly before I start talking.

Eventually her sobs subside and she lets out several huge, body wracking breaths. “I’m so sorry,” she says.

“Can you tell me why you think you can’t stay?” I reach up and use our joined hands to wipe the fresh tears from her cheeks.

“I can’t live here having to see Max all the time. You know him and Toby were identical? Every time I see Max I’m reminded of everything Toby did and how I stupidly went along with it all. I just bought all his lies and manipulations. That was the worst ofit. That I could be so stupid.” She spits the word. “I thought he was the love of my life, so I let him get away with all of that.”

“You’re not stupid, Katie. Far from it. And he wasn’t the love of your life, princess,” I say, my voice rough. “Because you’re mine and the world isn’t cruel enough to make you that, if I wasn’t the same for you.”

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