Page 68 of Outback Secrets

No reply was forthcoming.

He turned to see that Henri had fallen asleep and he couldn’t help but smile at the sight. His only concern was that the sun would burn her, so even though they were both wearing sun-screen and it wasn’t very hot, he shook out his towel and lightly covered her body with it. She didn’t even stir. Then he positioned himself so that his shadow fell over her face.

Liam couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this relaxed, but he couldn’t nap in case they didn’t wake up in time for the flight back to the mainland.

‘Why’d you let me sleep so long?’ she asked when he gently shook her awake a couple of hours later and told her it was time to head to the airstrip. ‘We could have gone swimming again or explored some more.’

‘You looked so peaceful. I couldn’t bear to disturb you.’

She sighed and stretched her arms up over her head. ‘Well, I have to admit, I feel very refreshed. I hope I didn’t drool.’

‘Only a little,’ he teased.

They collected their things and walked back to meet Glenn, who was already waiting for them beside the plane.

‘Well, hello, hello,’ he said, raising a hand. ‘Did you two have a good day?’

Liam glanced at Henri—the expression on her face could only be described as blissed out. It gave him a kick inside. Hopefully his crazy plan to re-instil her confidence in flying was working.

She nodded. ‘The best day.’

‘Glad to hear it, although you’d be hard pushed to have a bad one out here,’ Glenn said, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. Despite the fact it wasn’t really hot at all, and he’d just come from an airconditioned plane, he looked like he was burning up.

‘You okay, Glenn?’ Henri asked.

‘Yeah.’ He nodded but made a face. ‘My lunch didn’t agree with me, but I’ll be fine. I’ve taken an antacid and it’s only a short flight back.’

‘Are you sure?’ Henri said, exchanging a panicked glance with Liam.

Glenn waved away her concerns. ‘Yeah, I’m fine. It’s my own fault. I ate a pie for lunch, and pastry doesn’t agree with me now that I’m getting older. I should know better; my wife will say it serves me right.’

Henri smiled. ‘Your secret’s safe with us, right, Liam?’

He nodded. ‘Of course.’

They all climbed up into the plane.

‘Are you okay?’ Liam asked Henri as they fastened their seatbelts.

She took a visible breath. ‘I think so, but do you mind if I hold your hand again?’

Without a word, he gave it to her.

Five minutes later, they were in the air again and Henri looked a hundred times calmer than she had when they’d taken off that morning. This time as they flew, she happily looked out the window, pointing things out as they both admired the picturesque scene below.

They had to be about halfway back when Glenn suddenly gasped and clutched his chest.

Henri’s hand jolted in Liam’s as she gave him a panicked look.

He let go of her hand and leaned towards the cockpit. ‘Glenn?’ he asked. ‘Are you okay?’

‘I …’ He puffed out a breath. ‘I’m … This indigestion is worse than usual. It’s getting a bit … hard … to breathe …’

‘Do you know first aid?’ Henri asked before Liam could respond; she was already unbuckling her seatbelt.

‘Yeah.’ He did regular courses to make sure he knew the basics—in the country, you never knew how long it could take for an ambulance to arrive. Unfortunately first aid wasn’t always enough. Dennis, the fourth Poker Pensioner, had experienced similar symptoms in the pub last year and hadn’t walked out alive.

‘Then you take care of him,’ Henri ordered, already climbing into the front and positioning herself in the seat beside Glenn. ‘It’s okay,’ she reassured him, ‘I’m a pilot too. I know what I’m doing, and Liam is going to look after you. You’re gunna be okay. I promise.’