Page 55 of Taking the Heat

Instead, he shook his head and walked to the other end of the storeroom, rocking Aanya inside the circle of his arms as he lay beside her on a mattress.

What just happened?Flummoxed, I didn’t know whether to move or stay. Chris had turned his back to me, spooning Aanya, protecting her from the world.But that’s my spot,my body insisted.

Exhaustion smacked me, dragging me down to sleep before I could work out what was going on.

***

Transcript of Tara M’s video diary: Day 13

I woke up to a cold dawn a few hours later. Outside, the storm had passed, with no wind to be heard.

Inside, people slumbered all over the floor. Miles was curled up with an empty bottle of whiskey in his hand, while Ricky the wardrobe guy and a runner lay cuddling. Someone snored like a walrus and the air was thick with sweat and feet.

At some stage, Jen had moved to the other side of Henry, and he had turned to her, their arms interlocked. Unimpeded, I sat up, pulling the blanket tighter around me.

Across the room, I could see Chris’ back, and Aanya’s legs facing his. I felt the last string on the bow of my heart break. It was fine if he chose her over me, but it didn’t mean I had to watch.

Standing silently, I navigated around all the sleeping bodies until I reached the door. Tugging it open, I looked back at Chris again, unable to help myself.

His aqua eyes peered over his shoulder, cold and unfeeling. Overcome by the shakes, I slipped up the stairs on unsteady legs.

When I reached the top, I picked my way down the corridor, wishing wardrobe had provided me with shoes. Broken glass and splintered branches lay all over the floor. Peering inside one of the undamaged staff rooms, I spotted a pair of pink Crocs under a bed. Silently promising the owner that I would return them, I slipped them on and turned to go.

Chris stood in the doorway, blocking my way. ‘Why?’ he asked, his voice pained.

‘Why what?’ My emotions were a mess and I didn’t have the stamina for riddles.

‘I leave to rescue someone and you crawl into Henry’s arms. I don’t know what you see in that guy. Is it the money?’ His eyes were blazing, the hurt and anger threatening to spill over. ‘How long did you wait after I was gone before you went to him? Five minutes? Thirty seconds?’

I tried to explain. ‘You left, I was upset—’

‘So, you just ditch me?’

‘No, Chris, it wasn’t like that—’

‘I don’t know why I’m surprised. You did tell me you were the dodgy bet.’ His tone was so cold and I had no strength left to fight. He waved a hand, his action dismissive. ‘I don’t want Aanya to wake up alone. She almost died last night. As if you care.’ He left and I ran after him.

‘Chris, wait! Baby, please …’

The previously empty corridor was suddenly stuffed with people. Chris vanished between the moving bodies as guys in fluoro vests and medical personnel pushed past, yelling orders.

‘Miss? You can’t stay here—this is the base for clean-up.’ A barrel-chested man with a clipboard barked at me. ‘What’s your name?’

‘Tara,’ I said, my voice tiny.

‘Tara, Tara … right, your room has been cleared as safe. Head back there and don’t go out until this afternoon. We should have things under control by then.’

‘But, I just need to—’

‘Off you go, now.’ He wasn’t going to be argued with and, reluctantly, I let the stream of bodies carry me outside.

The island looked as if it had been turned upside down and shaken. Every surface was covered in fronds and leaves, while palm trees lay upended everywhere. Looking back at the service building, I saw the northern side was smashed to concrete crumbles under the weight of a fallen fig tree.

Around the corner, the bungalow was completely empty, all the furniture relocated along the beach, which was covered in so much debris that it didn’t look yellow anymore.

I had to step carefully to get back to my room. The wooden walkway was split and snapped in dozens of places. One broken section was so large, someone had placed a long board down so people could safely cross.

Slowly, I passed Clara’s room, which was split open through the ceiling. The windows were blown in and angry red tape criss-crossed the doorway. Wondering where she’d be sleeping tonight, I pushed on.

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