Australian Secrets

He’d said as much to her all those years ago. For a few months there Nicola had thought she might have one day become the mother to his children. Their university days seemed to have been yesterday and another lifetime ago. They’d once been highly competitive students, each desperate to beat the other with grades and then into the cauldron of a cadetship.

Both had been equally passionate about becoming great journalists and spending their lives enlightening the public. And of course there’d also been the other sort of passion … She remembered how it ended.

Richard had decided he was leaving for London at the end of the year and didn’t want the complication of a relationship. Why did men and women always seem to view relationships differently? According to him, theirs was only casual; the occasional bonk as reward for an assignment well done or other drunken celebration. Why hadn’t she had the guts to tell him she had fallen in love?

Something tugged inside – regret, longing, guilt – Nicola couldn’t identify it.

‘What? Oh sorry, kids? No, wouldn’t know,’ she stumbled.

‘Actually, we’d moved on – I was telling you about my wife, Karen,’ Richard said, sounding annoyed. ‘Where were you?’ he added.

‘Nowhere Else?’ she said, an attempt at wit to change the subject.

Richard rolled his eyes at her.

What had he said about his wife? Was he happy? ‘Sorry, I was miles away.’

‘Your turn, what’s this Scott fellow like?’

‘Oh, you know,’ she said, waving a dismissive arm. ‘Tall, dark, and handsome.’

‘So, what does he do for a crust that makes him too busy to make an honest woman of you?’

‘I’ll have you know I’m a very honest woman, thank you very much, and it has nothing to do with Scott.’

‘It was just a figure of speech, Nicola. You know I’d never question your integrity.’

‘Well, since you asked; he’s a stockbroker. Very busy and quite wealthy as it happens,’ she added defiantly.

‘So he’s too busy off making money to make you happy by putting another ring on your finger, huh?’

Nicola coloured slightly. ‘I didn’t say that.’

‘You didn’t have to. And being wealthy isn’t just about money, Nicola.’

‘Someone sounds like they’re a little jealous.’ ‘And someone else sounds like they’re in denial about gilded cage syndrome.’

‘And when did you find time to do a Masters in psych? It might have escaped your attention, but I actually have a fabulous career all of my own. I’m hardly a candidate for the gilded cage. And anyway, we’re not married,’ she snapped.

‘All right, I’m sorry. You’re right; I had no right to judge,’ Richard said, showing his palms in surrender.

‘I’m sorry too, I’ve had a tough week. Then I get sent out to a dump called Nowhere Else, which really is like nowhere else, to do a story on dirt. I’m allergic to dust, flies and crappy motels. Don’t know what I was thinking …’

Well actually, I do, but I’m not going to make a fool of myself by telling you.

‘So where’s the fabulous Scott right now?’

Nicola checked her gleaming gold watch.

‘Probably sitting by the pool sipping something green and foamy with a pink umbrella sticking out of it.’ ‘Gone on holiday without you?’

‘Conference – his fourth one this year,’ Nicola said sulkily. ‘Speaking of green,’ Richard muttered. Nicola shot him a scowl.

‘Sounds like you miss him,’ Richard corrected. ‘That’s good.’

‘Yeah,’ Nicola sighed, suspecting it was probably the resort and fun he was enjoying that she missed, not him. She shook the thought aside.

They lapsed into an awkward silence. Nicola was desperate to ask about London, but didn’t want to look too interested, especially given his jibing about her relationship. Also, she didn’t need to be reminded that she hadn’t meant as much to Richard as he had to her.

Richard finally broke the spell. ‘Well, you’d better get him to come out here for the weekend then.’

‘Yeah, like that’s ever going to happen.’ She regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth. Damn it. How did he still have the power to loosen her tongue after all this time? She’d better be careful if she didn’t want to lose her story to him – if she ever found one worthy of stealing …

‘Why not?’ Richard asked, breaking her train of thought.

‘Firstly, he hates small planes …’

‘Actually I can’t believe you got on one – let alone a Piper Chieftain. I don’t think I could have in your position.’

‘… I didn’t know – but that’s another story. Secondly, the accommodation is appalling. And finally, there’s nothing here that would interest him.’

‘What about you? You’re here.’

‘Richard, you’re sounding like a marriage counsellor, and quite frankly it doesn’t suit you. Thanks for your concern but we’re fine. Better than fine, perfect.’

Richard cleared his throat. ‘Right, about this story of yours.’

Nicola sighed, relieved.

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