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There was a loud knock on the door. ‘Ten minutes to showtime, Miss Montana.’

‘Break a leg,’ Dicky quipped.

Melissa fixed her wig in place and disappeared behind a screen. ‘The only thing I’ll break is your neck if you try any tricks tonight,’ she replied.

Dicky yawned. While Melissa slipped into her stage costume, he darted to grab her concealer. ‘I hear you,’ he called out and hurriedly dabbed at the bags under his eyes. When she reappeared, Dicky smiled. ‘Very nice, you’ll knock ’em dead.’

‘What are you after?’ Melissa placed her hands on her sequined hips and tilted her Dolly Parton-dressed head to study the comedian.

With his warmest smile and pleading eyes, Dicky spun around in his chair. Facing Melissa, he asked, ‘Any of those vitamin pills going spare?’

* * *

Jane and Selwyn stood outside the door to Hibiscus. She leaned back to rest her weight against the wall as Selwyn moved forward to kiss her.

‘Do you want to come in?’ Jane asked.

‘No, I won’t disturb your friends, but shall we have dinner together?’

‘Yes, I’d like that.’

‘I’ll book a table in the Atrium Restaurant. It’s on the Marquee Deck.’

‘That sounds very formal, I hope I have something suitable to wear.’

‘You will look beautiful in whatever you choose.’ Selwyn stroked Jane’s cheek and smiled as a flake of dried mud came away. His fingers traced her neck, and seeing her turtle pendant, he gently touched the diamond eyes.

‘Kath gave it to me for Christmas,’ Jane explained.

‘The enamelling is excellent; a turtle represents new beginnings.’

‘Yes, I know.’

‘How appropriate.’

‘I’d better have a shower.’ Jane reached into her bag for her key card.

‘I wish I could join you.’

‘Go! See you later.’ She pecked his cheek, then watched Selwyn walk away, her eyes lingering longingly.Goodness, he’s handsome!she thought.

Entering Hibiscus, Jane threw her bag on her bed and kicked off her sandals. Wandering into the bathroom, she slipped out of her dress and peeled off her swimsuit. Staring at her naked self in the mirror, she puffed out her cheeks. ‘So, this is the body that Selwyn will soon be seeing,’ Jane spoke to her reflection.

She cocked her head, placed a hand on her hip, and realised she no longer cared that she was overweight. It was the most freeing feeling she’d ever experienced. Selwyn said that he loved her curves and found her body sexy. Jane felt like she was diving deep into a vat of smooth, creamy chocolate. She closed her eyes and imagined rubbing the warm sensual substance all over her body and then licking her fingers with her lips. Jane knew that Selwyn loved chocolate, and her mind conjured up fantasies that involved them both.

‘Ahh….’ She let out a sigh.

Jane didn’t hear the door to Hibiscus open, but suddenly Kath’s voice called out, ‘Jane, are you in there?’ The bathroom handle rattled, and Kath’s head appeared. ‘Good heavens, is everything all right?’

Kath’s eyes were wide as she saw Jane’s naked body and the pile of clothes on the floor.

‘Oh, er … hello, Kath,’ Jane mumbled and reached for a towel.

‘Your clothes are covered in mud.’ Kath bent down to scoop up Jane’s discarded dress. ‘Has something happened?’

Jane stepped into the shower. ‘Yes, it most certainly has,’ she replied, ‘something very serious.’

‘Oh, my dear.’ Kath’s face was concerned. ‘We should never have let you go off on your own with Selwyn.’ She clutched Jane’s dress to her chest. ‘Take your time in a nice hot shower.’ Kath began to tidy. She placed a fluffy bathrobe close by. ‘I’ll make a cup of sweet tea, and you can tell us all about it. Help yourself to any of my new products. I do hope you’re all right.’