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‘My pleasure. Would you like me to book you into the restaurant for dinner?’
‘No. I’m going to have an early night.’
‘A word of advice. If you are going to use room service for dinner, order before five, and you won’t have to wait long.’
‘Are there any tours I can assist you with?’
‘Thank you, but no. I’m just passing through. A rest stop on the way north.’
Once she was handed the key and an outline of the resort services had been passed over, Heather gestured to the concierge.
‘Adam will show you to your room, and carry your luggage. Enjoy your stay.’
‘Thank you. A two-night stay will be good.’
As she turned to follow the concierge, Heather called after her, and she paused. ‘If you don’t want to take a tour, there are several walks in the brochures I’ve given you. Stay on the boardwalks and you won’t have to be wary of crocodiles.’
‘Crocodiles? This far inland?’
‘Yes, that surprises a lot of our guests. But don’t worry, we’ve never had one in the grounds.’
‘I’m very pleased to hear that.’
Tarni covered a yawn as she followed the young man to her room.
Chapter 5
Dru and Connor’s apartment - Darwin Harbourside - Saturday afternoon, mid-May.
The Porter family
Ellie glanced into the back of their Sahara Land Cruiser as they pulled up in the guest parking area at the back of the harbourside apartment block in Darwin. As promised, Dru had organised a family barbecue. It was the same apartment she’d bought before she’d met Connor after moving back to the Territory from Dubai.
James was trying to undo his seatbelt; Verity was talking to her doll, and Matilda was sound asleep in her car seat.
‘That’d be right.’ Ellie grumbled as she turned to Kane when he switched the ignition off. ‘Tilly’s finally gone to sleep and now we have to get her out of the seat. Neither of the other pair hated being in the car like she does.’
The last fifteen minutes of the drive had been in peace apart from James’ constant questions. ‘What’s that, Dad? Why does that happen, Mummy?’
Ellie wondered how much longer he would call her Mummy. He was growing up too fast.
‘She might stay asleep if I lift her out carefully,’ Kane said.
‘And what world do you live in?’ Ellie chuckled. ‘She’s waking up already.’
‘But she’ll be happy as soon as she’s out of the car, won’t you sweetie?’ He leaned over and tickled Matilda under the chin, and she gurgled back at him.
‘Was that a Dada?’ he asked with a smile.
‘No, it wasn’t. Tilly’s too young to talk yet, silly.’
‘I’d disagree,’ Kane said with a wide smile. ‘She’s very advanced for her age.’
Ellie grinned at him, unclipped her belt and climbed out. She opened the back door and James slid out, and then she reached over to the middle and unclipped Verity’s belt.
‘Can I bring Adora, Mummy?’ Verity held up her baby doll.
‘Of course, you can, sweetie. Wait beside the car until Daddy’s unpacked our gear.’ She glanced over at Kane. He’d taken Matilda out and was unloading the back of the car one-handed. Sometimes Ellie felt as though she was living a surreal life. After her days as a helicopter pilot, and the horrendous times they went through after Dad’s murder, she occasionally felt as though she was now living in a fairyland. A gorgeous husband she adored, three beautiful children, and a successful mango farm, not to mention leaving for the United States and Mexico on Monday. Her nightmares about those times and Russell Fairweather were mostly in the past now. When she got into bed now, she slept soundly until Matilda woke up.
