Page 13 of Outback Secrets

Hours later, a knock sounded on his office door and he looked up to see Lara standing there.

‘You planning on working all night, boss?’ she asked with a smile.

Liam glanced at his watch and couldn’t believe it was almost midnight. ‘Time flies when you’re having fun.’

She laughed and nodded towards the pile of papers on his desk. ‘Rather you than me. Dylan’s just locking up and I’ve checked the bathrooms are empty. Anything else you want us to do before knocking off?’

‘No, thanks. You guys have a good night. See you tomorrow.’

She nodded and escaped quickly as if scared he might change his mind.

Liam filed the completed invoices and then switched off his computer. Only as he left the office did he notice the absence of his furry companion. He frowned. Sheila didn’t like to be left alone, so it was odd she hadn’t come to find him when Dylan and Lara had disappeared.

The pub was dark except for the lights above the bar and in the hallway, which led to the stairs up to the second floor. He whistled and called her name.

Just when he was starting to panic—could Sheila somehow have got outside?—she appeared from the direction of the pool table.

‘There you are, girl,’ he said as she ambled over to him. ‘Come on, let’s get to bed.’

But when he turned towards the stairs, she didn’t follow, and he looked back to see her returning the way she’d come from.

‘Sheila!’ he called, slightly annoyed now. It was late and he just wanted to fall into bed. ‘Come!’

Normally very obedient, she ignored him.

With a frustrated sigh, he followed her to find the reason for her reluctance lying curled up on one of the couches. He sighed. Clearly, Lara and Dylan hadn’t done a very thorough scan of the pub before they shut the doors. Although the lights were off in this area, enough moonlight spilled in through the windows for him to identify the squatter as Henrietta Forward.

There were no signs of vomit and she looked far too peaceful—and gorgeous—for someone who’d drunk enough to pass out. Maybe she was just really tired.

‘Hey, Henrietta,’ he said, reaching out to gently shake her shoulder. ‘Time to wake up.’

She made an infuriatingly cute noise and then rolled over and curled in on herself as if she were settling in for the night, but he couldn’t just leave her here. The men staying upstairs would be down early in the morning for breakfast and he didn’t want them to startle her. Not to mention the fact he couldn’t guarantee her safety here all alone.

‘Henrietta,’ he tried again, his voice firmer this time.

She moaned and turned slightly towards him. ‘It’s Henri,’ she slurred. ‘What d’you want?’

She did not sound sober enough to drive.

‘Sorry, Henri, but you can’t sleep here. Can I call Tilley or someone to come get you?’

Her eyes snapped open, and she looked at him in horror. ‘No! I’m fine. I’ll sleep in my car.’ But when she went to stand, she stumbled and fell right into him.

‘Hel-lo,’ she semi-sang as she looked up into his face. ‘You have very lovely eyes.’

He stifled a smile. The same could be said for her but now was not the time or the place.

‘There’s one free room upstairs. Why don’t you take that?’ he offered. ‘It’ll be much more comfortable than your car.’

She palmed a hand against his chest. ‘That, Liam, sounds like an offer too good to refuse. Thank you.’

Almost as if she could understand the exchange, Sheila trotted off towards the stairs and Liam put an arm around Henri, supporting her as he led her to the stairs. It took a great deal of effort—she kept stumbling and talking about how his eyes reminded her of a chocolate bar.

‘Do you have any schocolate?’ she asked, once again pausing on the stairs. ‘I’ve got the munchies.’

‘I might be able to find something, but you gotta keep walking to get it.’

‘O-kay. If you shay sho, Liam.’