chapter 9

As the doctor predicted, Carolyn slept heavily through the night. I returned to the room and she did not even notice when I turned the light on, although she did turn over and making a low moaning sound. I spent the night on the chair as I promised I would, but it was not comfortable and I hardly slept at all.

In the morning, we were awoken by room service delivering a large breakfast of bacon, omelettes, sausages, toast and croissants, compliments of Abigail. The waiter handed me a note from the doctor telling me that I could help myself, as long as I made sure Carolyn got the largest share. I was more than fine with this and took only a couple of rashers of bacon, one omelette and some toast, while Carolyn filled her plate three times. When the waiter returned to take the trolley away, he seemed amazed that there was very little left. I just shrugged, but Carolyn asked if he would leave the few croissants that remained, so she "had something to nibble on while waiting for the flight."

The journey between Shanghai and Sydney was almost identical to our first flight. Once again we had a private cabin, and Carolyn took great pleasure in smoking and eating as much as possible, at least until we were over Australian air space. Once again, our personal stewardess kept Carolyn well fed with chocolates and cakes between our main meals. I was hoping that I would see another belly massage and be able to restrain myself to watch it all this time, but I was disappointed. This stewardess was rather more aloof than the first, and though she was as polite and friendly as expected, she seemed to view feeding Carolyn as a chore rather than a pleasure.

We landed, tired but happy, in Kingsford Smith International Airport, and passed through Australian immigration without incident. As we walked through the arrivals gate, I was surprised to see Abigail sat waiting for us with a man wearing an open collared shirt and a poorly fitting suit. He was short, in his late fifties and well-tanned with a large moustache. When the doctor noticed us, she said something to her companion and they both came over.

"How did you get in here so quickly," I asked, adding "so much for first class privilege!" under my breath, but Abigail pulled out her Australian passport.

"You're in my land now," she said. I had always known she had the trace of an accent, but I could never place it. Now, for the first time, it was very clear. I frowned, confused, but she just laughed.

"You probably don't notice it much in London," she said. "It has faded quite a lot as I have travelled around, but my natural accent comes back out the minute I get home and hear it." We looked at each other for a second, but it seemed so much longer, and then Abigail stepped back holding out her hand to introduce the man stood patiently beside her.

"Sorry! I am being rude! This is Vernon." I shook his hand and introduced myself and Carolyn. I noticed the way he looked at her and I felt both smug and jealous at the same time. It was a strange combination! Vernon took Carolyn's bags and led us out to his large Ford Territory Estate which easily had space for all our luggage. Carolyn sat up front with Vernon, and Abigail sat with me on the rear seat. As we drove through the city streets, she explained the next stage of our journey.

"We have now passed the most difficult part," she said. "Australian customs are very strict, but now we are in the country, we can get lost in the outback very easily. We are actually going to a private airfield and from there will take a charter flight to the island. There will be no customs checks and you won't be mentioned on the passenger list, so as far as anybody is aware, you are in the bush hunting the bunyip!"

Carolyn turned and looked at the doctor. "So nobody knows we are going to this island?" she asked.

"Exciting isn't it?" replied Abigail. "It is such an amazing place that if it became common knowledge, it would be over-run with tourists and totally ruined. I am afraid the deceptions are part of keeping it private for our select group." She smiled widely at Carolyn. "You are part of that group now!"

As we left the city, Vernon turned on the air conditioning and suggested we sleep. He told us in his gravelly voice that it was at least a seven hour drive to the airfield, and pretty soon I found myself nodding off. Abigail was already dozing with her head on my shoulder, and Carolyn seemed lost in thought as she watched the scenery roll past. Without thinking, I rested my cheek on the top of Abigail's head. I could smell her perfume and as I breathed it in deeply, I closed my eyes and the noise of the car became a gentle background hum as sleep washed over me.

The engine stopped and the sudden silence woke me with a jolt. For a few seconds, I had no idea where I was and as my eyes adjusted to the dusky half-light, I noticed we parked outside a bar in a small town. Carolyn got out of the car and immediately lit a cigarette. Abigail rubbed her eyes and turned to face me still half asleep, and then realising she had her head on my shoulder sat up apologising. We sat and watched as Vernon took Carolyn's bags and led her into the bar which also seemed to be a hotel.

"We don't want her to over-exert herself," said Abigail, and I was immediately concerned. Had the doctor found something during the medical? Is that why she was taking personal charge of overseeing Carolyn's delivery and why she performed a second check-up in Shanghai? Abigail tried to assure me that this was not the case as we unloaded our luggage and entered the hotel, but I was not convinced. As soon as I checked in, I rushed up to Carolyn's room to make sure she was alright.
I was surprised to see Vernon in there. He appeared to have taken on the role of Carolyn's personal butler and she seemed to take great pleasure in ordering him about. I fact, she spoke to him the same way she had spoken to Paul in my house.
I approached her as she sat at a table on the balcony and took the chair beside her. Gently, I slipped my hand into hers and we sat together staring at the clear sky. Vernon kept drifting in and out of view to fill our glasses with Australian Chardonnay or light Carolyn's cigarettes, but for me, everything around us disappeared. Carolyn turned to me and gave me her biggest, most beautiful smile and my night was perfect.

"I am glad you came to my room," she said. "I am pleased we can spend some time together again without the hassle of airports and travelling." She turned to Vernon and told him he could leave us alone for the night and he looked at me disapprovingly, but I just gave him a smug grin!

"I will serve your evening meal first," he said and left, returning shortly with a room service trolley which contained a large dish of chicken on rice, all coated in a dark brown sauce.
"I only ordered enough for one," said Vernon, making a point of giving me a small amount on a separate plate, and sitting the remainder on the serving platter in front of Carolyn.

"There looks a lot more than there actually is," he told her. "This is the Hotel's signature dish - Chicken Cleopatra. You can only get it here, so eat up!" I tried mine, and it was amazing! I have no idea what flavourings they used, but I quickly finished my small portion and looked across to Carolyn, hoping she would give me some more. I soon realised that was not going to happen; she was greedily scooping forkful after forkful into her mouth, as though she were starving!

"Good, isn't it?" said Vernon, smiling and waggling his eyebrows at me. "Try to get straight to sleep after you finish it. We have an early start to get to the flight tomorrow."

I nodded as I watched Carolyn, fascinated. She was too busy eating to even notice Vernon leave, but as soon as the plate was empty, she sat back looking embarrassed.
"I don't know what happened to me there," she said. "It was like I could not slow down, and now I have eaten way too much!"
I looked at her stomach, and it was clearly stuffed. I put my hand out, but before I touched it I looked to her for permission. Carolyn nodded, and I gently pressed on her rounded belly with my fingertips, which sank slightly into a soft layer of fat before hitting something solid. The pressure made Carolyn burp and then she slapped my hand away angrily.

"I feel bloated after all that rice," she said. "I thought you were going to massage my stomach, but you just poked my fat! You ruin everything!" She picked up her glass and drank the remaining wine then told me to leave. I was hoping our last night together before we reached the island would be special as I had no idea what was going to happen to Carolyn when we got there. This was not the case and as no room was booked for me and there were no spares, I spent another uncomfortable night on a chair, this time in reception.

I was awoken early by Abigail and Vernon arguing. They clearly didn't know I was there, so I listened intently but as they moved around, I only caught small snatches of their conversation. I could tell from their raised voices that the disagreement was serious, although it seemed to be about how much breakfast to feed Carolyn.

"... and will not leave her room," shouted Vernon, as they came back into reception.

"Irrelevant!" snapped Abigail. "That is what we need, and now we have to cut back a bit. We don't want to give her too much."

"But I don't understand how...." began Vernon.

"Of course you don't" said Abigail with false calmness. "But I do. After all, I am a doctor, Dad!"