Christmas in the Outback Read online

  For a few seconds Liam studied her, then he shook his head, smiling crookedly. ‘God, I’ve missed you.’

  Feeling every nerve-end in her body tingle, Nikki contrived to say lightly, ‘You could’ve picked a more opportune moment to tell me.’

  ‘Perhaps I will.’ His look was inscrutable. Then, almost absently, placing his hand on her shoulder, Liam leant across her and peered out at the seemingly deserted council offices. ‘It’s after five. Let’s hope they haven’t all gone home.’

  ‘Only one way to find out.’ Restlessly, she swung out from under the weight of his hand, reaching for the doorhandle.

  ‘Mr Hartley’s away on council business for a couple of days,’ the receptionist at the information desk informed them. ‘Mrs Westermann is standing in for him.’

  ‘Then is she available, please?’ Liam stood to his full six feet and placed his hands squarely on the counter. ‘It’s a matter of urgency.’

  Nikki gave him a grateful look. ‘A matter of community health,’ she emphasised, hoping her statement would add weight to Liam’s.

  ‘In that case…’ The receptionist picked up the phone.

  ‘We’re in luck,’ Liam murmured, guiding Nikki towards a window where they stood for a moment looking out.

  ‘We are?’

  ‘Mmm. Dion Westermann is a former nurse, a very clued-up lady—knows how to get things done.’

  ‘Then, the gods are with us.’

  Dion Westermann was in her mid-forties, slender with long fair hair looped into a loose knot at the nape of her neck. ‘Liam, hello.’ She came out of an office to their left, her smile warm.

  ‘Dion. Good of you to see us.’ Liam drew Nikki forward. ‘Dr Nicola Barrett, my practice partner.’

  ‘Dr Barrett.’ The alderman held out her hand. ‘I must say it’s very good to have a female practitioner in town.’

  ‘Thank you. And, please, call me Nikki.’

  Dion ushered them into her office, waving them into comfortable chairs. ‘I understand from Sandra you’re concerned about a health issue?’

  Briefly but succinctly Liam gave the facts as they knew them.

  ‘So you see, we do really need to sort this before things get out of hand,’ Nikki added earnestly.

  ‘Oh, absolutely,’ Dion agreed. ‘As you probably know, all health matters pertaining to caravan parks come under the council’s jurisdiction, so let’s see what we can find out, shall we?’ She began running information through on her computer screen. ‘Ah! According to this, the park is owned by a Kurt Gwatking of Sydney. Perry Phillips is his appointed manager.’

  ‘So…’ Nikki exchanged a quick glance with Liam ‘…if there’s something untoward going on, it’s down to this Mr Phillips.’

  ‘Logically, I suppose we could assume that.’ The alderman removed her spectacles, leaving them dangling on the keeper-chain around her neck. ‘But, then, with the water shortage, perhaps folk are not taking their usual care about personal hygiene and so on.’

  ‘We’ve thought of all that.’ Nikki leaned forward, her expression intense. ‘But what if the problem is with the water itself? And my information is that the park has switched the vans over to tank water for domestic use.’

  ‘Well, many people have had no option but to do that,’ Dion countered, a small frown pleating her forehead. ‘But the council has made sure that our supplier uses only water suitable for human consumption. So, if something’s gone wrong with the actual water supply, surely half the townsfolk would be presenting with the symptoms you’ve described.’

  Liam took a deep breath and let it go. ‘Although we haven’t actually voiced them, I think both Nikki and I have concerns something untoward is going on with the caravan park’s own water supply.’ He swung to Nikki, his dark brows flicking up in query.

  She nodded. ‘I think it’s a definite possibility,’ she said quietly.

  ‘Then say no more.’ Dion picked up her phone. ‘I’ll have one of our people go over there now and take samples for testing. But I’m afraid it’ll have to go to Sydney for this new testing regime, immuno-magnetic separation, and time-wise that’s unfortunate.’

  ‘We could do a very preliminary analysis if that would help,’ Nikki offered.

  Liam’s head spun round, the light from the window illuminating the hard line of his jaw. He gave her a long searching look. ‘The slide-under-the-microscope technique?’

  Nikki spread her palms in a shrug. ‘It may be elementary but it will certainly tell us if there are bugs in the water. We had a scare similar to this when I was in Papua New Guinea.’ She felt the need to explain. ‘Initially, we did our own very basic sampling so we could act to minimise the risks to people’s health.’

  ‘A proper breakdown will have to be left to the lab, of course,’ Dion said.

  ‘Naturally. But Liam and I could set the ball rolling.’

  The older woman gave a nod of approval. ‘That sounds very pro-active. And I thank you very much. I’ll get onto it right away. You’ll have your sample within the hour.’

  ‘We’ll use the facilities in X-Ray,’ Liam said. Armed with their water sample, they made their way through the rear entrance of the hospital.

  ‘It’s all a bit clandestine, isn’t it?’ Nikki said grimly.

  ‘Can’t be helped. We don’t want the dogs barking it before we’ve something tangible to report.’

  ‘If we’ve something tangible to report.’

  Liam’s look sharpened. ‘You don’t doubt it, do you?’

  ‘No…’ Nikki gusted a sigh. ‘I wish I did.’

  It took only seconds to set up their respective microscopes and slides. And only a few seconds more to realise their fears were now realities.

  ‘Good grief…’ Liam muttered through his teeth, his gaze narrowing into the microscope lens. ‘If this water’s ever seen the inside of a filtering plant, I’ll walk backwards to Bourke.’

  ‘It’s got to be seething with pollutants.’ Nikki homed in on her own sample, her voice snapping with anger.

  ‘Breeding lovely bugs like Cryptosporidium and Giardia,’ Liam growled. ‘And heaven knows what else.’

  Nikki felt sick at the implications. ‘This is an appalling situation, Liam. Giardia can take months or even years to be eradicated from the system.’

  ‘And this could be just the tip of the iceberg.’

  Nikki met his gaze fearfully. ‘What about the people who have already left the park and who might have consumed some of the water? We’ll have to contact them urgently.’

  ‘We’ll have to find them first.’ Liam’s expression became tight. ‘If they’re caravanning as such, it’s unlikely they’ll have left forwarding addresses.’

  ‘We could begin by alerting people through ABC radio.’ Nikki brightened. ‘Most rural areas can pick up one of their stations, can’t they?’

  ‘It’s probably the only one they can pick up,’ Liam affirmed grimly. ‘But it’s certainly a practical move. The Health Department will have to be notified urgently as well. It’ll be up to the Minister to get out a general alert to hospitals and GPs to be on the lookout. But let’s not hang about here. Dion is waiting to be informed of our findings.’

  ‘Then do it now, Liam!’ Nikki practically pushed him out the door. ‘Use the phone in Anna’s office. I’ll clear up here.’

  Liam was just putting the phone down when Nikki caught up with him. ‘Feel like a door-knock around the park residents?’ He swung to his feet.

  ‘Whatever it takes.’

  ‘Anna can let us have two nurses. Dion will come herself and bring them with her. We’ll meet at the park in ten minutes.’

  ‘What about replacement water for the residents?’ Nikki asked as they sped outside to the hospital car park.

  ‘The council is organising a load of bottled water to be trucked over there as we speak. They’ll have to keep using the bottled stuff until we sort things out.’

  ‘And the park manager?’

  ‘It’s
out of our hands. Dion has informed the police.’ Liam shot out of the parking bay on to the road. ‘If the law’s been broken, the police are the ones with the authority to lay charges. But, by heck, someone better have answers.’

  There was no sign of Dion when they got to the park entrance. Nikki looked at her watch. ‘I say we give her another five minutes and if there’s still no sign of her, I’m going in.’

  ‘For heaven’s sake!’ Liam frowned his displeasure. ‘You sound like someone from one of those TV police shows. We have to follow protocol, Nikki.’

  ‘Protocol be damned!’ Nikki’s mouth set determinedly. ‘Another toddler could be drinking this foul water as we speak! I’m a doctor. Surely, I have the authority to approach the park manager on a health matter?’

  For a moment they looked at each other and Liam swore under his breath.

  The seconds ticked slowly by. ‘There must have been some last-minute hitch,’ Liam growled. ‘These things happen. They’ll be here directly.’

  ‘I’m not waiting any longer, Liam.’ Nikki flung open her door on the passenger side. ‘Don’t try to stop me!’ She shrugged off his hand as he tried to delay her. ‘Look…’ She softened slightly. ‘I’ll remember I’m a doctor first, if that’s what you’re worried about.’

  ‘We don’t know what kind of character this Perry Phillips is,’ Liam pointed out, his narrowed gaze going beyond the gates to the demountable building that was obviously the office.

  Nikki made a face. ‘Do you think he might have a gun?’

  ‘Don’t even go there, Nikki—even in jest.’ Liam ploughed a hand through his hair in obvious frustration. ‘Look, one of us should stay here and wait for Dion, otherwise the whole exercise will be in disarray from the start. You stay and I’ll front Mr Phillips.’

  ‘No!’ Nikki shook her head. ‘You’re the community health officer, you should be here to accompany Dion and her party. But I think, as a matter of urgency, one of us should be in there now, speaking to the parents of the children we’ve treated.’

  ‘All right.’ Liam’s shoulders slumped as if he had no choice. ‘I can see your point. But the first whiff of trouble, Nikki, you’re out of there. Understood?’

  ‘Yes, Liam,’ she said with mock meekness. ‘I’ll need the names of your two families, please.’

  ‘Jansen and Meier.’ The names came out on a sigh.

  She nodded in satisfaction. ‘Now, I just have to get the relevant site numbers from Mr Phillips. I think I’ll take my bag,’ she added, swinging out of the Land Rover. ‘That way, my visit will appear authentic.’

  ‘Don’t rock any boats,’ Liam warned tensely, alighting from his side of the vehicle. ‘You have your mobile?’

  Nikki looked skywards briefly. ‘Yes, Liam.’

  ‘Keep it switched on.’ He leant abruptly and took her face between his hands. ‘I hate throwing you to the lions like this, Nik.’

  She lifted her hand and placed it over one of his. ‘I can take care of myself, Liam. I’ve had to for a long time now.’

  And why didn’t that statement make him feel one jot happier? He gave an odd little shrug and let her go.

  Nikki was barely through the entrance gates when she decided the place was already giving her the creeps. Darkness had fallen quickly, as though someone had thrown a cloak over the sun, and the lighting was poor at best.

  Beating back a shadowy unease, she mounted the shallow steps to the demountable. There was a faint light visible through one of the wire-meshed windows and another on the narrow landing. She took a deep breath and raising her hand, rapped as loudly as she dared on the door marked OFFICE.

  It took an age for the door to be opened.

  ‘Yeah?’ A bulky man narrowed his piggy eyes at Nikki.

  ‘Mr Phillips?’ Nikki swallowed, a prickle of alarm teasing the back of her neck.

  ‘Who wants to know?’ The smell of alcohol curled off the man’s breath in nauseating waves.

  Nikki reeled back. ‘I’m…Dr Barrett from the surgery. The children of several of the residents have been poorly. I’ve come to check them over. I’d like the van site numbers of Bycroft, Jansen and Meiers, please.’

  Perry Phillips folded his arms, blocking the doorway. ‘Don’t want no doctors snooping round here. Now, clear out!’

  Nikki put her medical case down and straightened to her full five feet four, grabbing her courage in both hands. ‘What’s your problem, Mr Phillips? I’ve asked you civilly for directions to three of your park residents. I expect you to give them to me.’

  ‘Or what?’ Perry Phillips thrust his unshaven face in front of her.

  Nikki felt her hands curl into fists, everything in her wanting to thump his fat belly until he gave her the information she needed. Instead, she thought of Liam’s warning and took a steadying breath. She brought her chin up. ‘You might intimidate the female residents, Mr Phillips, but you don’t frighten me. Now, give me the information.’

  ‘Or what?’ His tone thickened menacingly.

  ‘Or I’ll call the police!’ Nikki threw caution to the winds and pushed past the man into the office.

  ‘You’ll call nobody, you flamin’ busybody! Hear me?’ He lifted a fist threateningly. ‘Now, get outa here!’

  Nikki felt a jarring crunch and gave a cry of pain as the manager’s beefy hands caught her by the shoulders. Her slight body was no match for his brute strength, and she was yanked roughly through the door and shoved backwards onto the outside landing. She gave a gasp, feeling herself falling, falling—and then caught. Hard.

  In a haze of terror she realised that whatever had stopped her fall had human form. Dear heaven—did Phillips have reinforcements?

  Fear whimpered out of her throat, ending in a choking sob.

  ‘I’ve got you, Nik…I’ve got you…’

  The words echoed and spun through her head, then she was turned into protective arms and held. Oh, Liam. Oh, thank God.

  ‘I miscalculated badly, didn’t I?’ Nikki was sitting huddled in her dressing-gown at the kitchen table, a small Scotch in front of her.

  Hands rammed into his back pockets, Liam paced the floor. ‘I think I lost ten years off my life when I saw that cretin trying to shove you down the steps. Hell, Nikki! Don’t ever do anything like that again!’

  ‘All right.’ She held up her hands for mercy. ‘I’ve learned my lesson. Can we drop it now?’

  Liam dragged out a chair and sat opposite her. ‘Phillips is in police custody now at any rate. He’ll be charged with assault for starters.’

  ‘And they’ll pin the dodgy water rap on him for sure.’ Nikki was fast regaining her equilibrium. She took a mouthful of her drink. ‘Did Dion say what delayed her?’

  ‘A chapter of stupid mishaps.’ Liam frowned into his drink. ‘First her car tyre was flat and all the council vehicles were locked away for the night. So she ran back inside the building to ring for a taxi. On the way she fell up the steps, which kind of slowed her down. Then there were no taxis available…’

  ‘Oh, lord.’ Nikki gave a strangled laugh. ‘It would be funny if it weren’t so serious.’ She looked over the rim of her glass at Liam. ‘At least everyone at the park has been notified now and been supplied with their bottled water. So could we say all’s well that ends well?’

  Liam smiled a little crookedly. ‘Except for Dion’s skinned knees and you being frightened half to death—I suppose we could.’

  CHAPTER SIX

  ‘IS IT very difficult working with Liam when you’re not married any more?’

  Nikki pondered Grace’s blunt question for a few seconds. It was two weeks later. Liam was off on one of his outlying patients’ clinics and the women were enjoying a coffee-break during a lull in the afternoon surgery. ‘I’m loving it really,’ she said, surprised by her answer.

  ‘And it’s not making life, well, a bit complicated?’

  ‘We’ve been so busy.’ Nikki lifted a shoulder dismissively. ‘And at night we’re so dog-tired we jus
t fall into bed. Into separate beds,’ she qualified, giving a ripple of embarrassed laughter.

  Grace tapped her thumbnail absently against the handle of her coffee-mug. ‘Everyone thinks very highly of you.’

  ‘Better let Liam know, then,’ Nikki joked, unbelievably warmed by the other’s words. ‘He might decide to let me stay on.’

  ‘Surely there’s no question of that?’

  ‘We agreed on a three-month contract.’ Nikki threw caution to the winds, letting her tongue run away with the confidential information. But she was feeling slightly desperate. Every day was a day nearer to the end of her agreed time in Wirilda. And since that searing kiss when they’d finished planting the herb garden, Liam had been steadfastly keeping his distance.

  Nikki was being eaten up with indecision, her heart bouncing sickeningly each time they so much as brushed against each other in the normal course of sharing a house.

  And suddenly she feared it was all happening again, the absolute need she felt around him to be held, comforted.

  Loved.

  But did Liam feel any of that? Or would he be glad to see the back of her at the end of her three-month tenure?

  Seeing the sudden little droop to the younger woman’s mouth, Grace skilfully changed conversational lanes. ‘Perry Phillips finally admitted to importing inferior water for the tanks. Did you hear?’

  Nikki clicked her tongue. ‘My patients were full of it this morning. Naturally he didn’t have a leg to stand on once the lab results came back. Fancy thinking he could get away with it, though.’

  ‘And charging the residents almost double for the privilege. The hide of the man! I believe the owner was completely in the dark about his goings-on. He’s taken over managing the park himself until he can employ someone trustworthy.’

  Nikki’s gaze sharpened. ‘You mean there’s a job going there?’

  ‘Well, I imagine so.’ Grace rose to her feet and began gathering up their mugs. ‘Did you have someone in mind?’

  ‘Perhaps…’ Nikki lifted her gaze, catching the shimmer of mid-afternoon sunlight through the lacy fretwork of the pepper trees outside the window. ‘I need to make a quick phone call, Grace.’ Decisively, she swung upright and pushed her chair in. ‘Stall my next patient for a few minutes, will you, please?’