A Secret Shared...

He ate his hamburger—extremely large, extremely good. He drank his beer and watched the sunset and didn’t say a word, and as he finished his food a small hand snagged a piece of pizza. He didn’t comment and when the lass came to collect the empty tray neither did she.

‘Dr Kate says she might drop by later to have a chat,’ she told Jack cheerfully. ‘There are forms to fill in. Boring. She says there’s no need to stay up if you don’t want. It can wait until morning, but she’ll drop by anyway.’

And Jack figured what this was about, too. Their formal appointment this afternoon had been missed. Kate would come—he’d expected it—but by forewarning them both, Harry would be reassured. If the little boy woke and heard voices he’d know what was happening. Harry needed no surprises, no shocks, no worries. He needed his world to stabilise again—if it ever could.

To lose both his parents in the one appalling moment … Jack could hardly imagine the black hole it had created. To be seven and to lose so much …

A shadow emerged from the trees, sniffing up the steps as the girl removed the tray and prepared to leave.

‘Maisie,’ the girl said. She smiled and turned to Harry. ‘Harry, Maisie’s very fussy,’ she said. ‘Every night she decides who she’d like to sleep with. It seems tonight she’s chosen you. If you don’t want her, I’ll take her away with me now. She has her own bed with Dr Kate. We don’t want her to be a bother.’

Harry didn’t answer but it didn’t trouble Maisie. The big dog proceeded ponderously up the steps and put his great head on Harry’s knee. And sighed.

Her message couldn’t be more clear. No one in this world understands me. You’re my only friend. Please let me stay.

She put her paw up in silent entreaty. Harry cast a covert glance at Jack and then back at Maisie.

‘C-can she stay?’

‘Only if she sleeps on your bed,’ Jack said sternly. ‘I don’t like dogs snoring on mine.’

‘D-does she snore?’

‘Sometimes,’ the lass said cheerfully. ‘Will I take her away?’

‘N-no,’ Harry managed, and the thing was settled. So half an hour later boy and dog were tucked up in bed. Harry’s arms were firmly around Maisie’s neck and Harry was fast asleep.

Helen had a dog. They’d also tried him out with a puppy but they’d got nowhere.

This dog, though, knew all the right moves. She knew just how to wriggle her way under a small boy’s defences.

Like Kate was doing?

He’d walked into this place and felt deeply suspicious. What kind of a healing centre didn’t try to save a child? Even if the explanation of terminal illness was true, why was no doctor in attendance? Kate was listed in the resort’s advertising as being a physiotherapist and a counsellor. There was no mention of her being a medical doctor. Something must have gone horribly wrong with her career. He didn’t trust her, and yet somehow he’d agreed to stay. By reaching out to Harry, she’d wriggled under his defences and he was left feeling more than a little vulnerable.

He didn’t like it. Jack liked control. He had no kids himself. Now he had one small nephew who’d managed to touch his heart and leave him exposed. To charlatans? To a woman who called herself Kate but who wasn’t.

‘Jack?’

The voice was so soft he hardly heard it, but he’d been waiting.

Kate? Cathy.

The sun had sunk over the horizon; the merest hint of colour tinging the point where the sea disappeared towards Africa. The night was warm and still. No sound came from other bungalows. What sort of resort was this when by eight o’clock everyone seemed asleep?

‘Hi,’ Kate said, as she reached the steps. ‘I have some forms for you to fill in, and some questions I need answered. Is now a good time?’

She was casually dressed, in jeans with a slouchy windcheater over the top. Her feet were still bare. The only hint of professionalism was the two thick envelopes she carried.

She’d let her hair out, he thought inconsequentially. It was curly and bouncy and touched her shoulders. Nice.

Um … don’t go there. This is Harry’s welfare, he told himself. Be professional.

‘I need to throw you more questions than you throw at me,’ he growled. ‘What are you playing at?’

She was halfway up the veranda steps and she paused. ‘You sound angry.’

‘Why wouldn’t I be angry? This is my sister’s child. I’m responsible for him. You’re not who you say you are. I don’t want anyone messing with his welfare.’

‘Do you think I could possibly hurt Harry?’

‘I don’t know what game you’re playing …’

‘No game,’ she said stiffly. ‘This place represents me exactly as I am. I’m Kate Martin, counsellor and physiotherapist.’

‘You and I both know that’s a lie.’

‘It isn’t a lie. I trained at university in Auckland. Years of study. My qualifications are real.’

‘You’re a doctor, or you were. Have you been struck off?’

‘No,’ she said flatly, defiantly. ‘I haven’t. But it’s my choice whether I advertise my medical degree or not. With my counselling and physiotherapy qualifications, I don’t need to add the medical stuff.’

‘That makes no sense—and then there’s the small issue of your name.’

‘You’re treating me like a criminal.’

‘You’re acting like one.’

‘It’s not a sin to change your name.’

‘People don’t change their names unless they’re hiding.’

‘So I’m hiding, but my reasons are personal and nothing to do with my professional ability. I ask you to accept that.’

‘So if I ring the medical board and enquire …’

‘I’d ask you not to do that.’ Her face was pale but resolute. She stood halfway up the steps, holding onto the rail as if she needed it for support. ‘I’ve taken a great deal of trouble to ensure there’s no link between Cathy Heineman and Kate Martin. One phone call could destroy that. One phone call could mean I need to walk away from all I’ve worked for.’

‘You mean the medical board—’

‘Couldn’t care less,’ she snapped. ‘I have my change of name recorded. Believe it or not, I’m still a registered doctor with no blemish against my name. I still accrue my professional training points and I keep my registration up to date. But the receptionist who receives notes of my continual professional training updates Kate Martin’s file. I did the name change carefully with only a couple of trusted friends helping. I want no link.’

There were a couple of moments of silence. Intense silence. She was gazing straight up at him, unflinching. Defiant even. Still, she was pale.

One phone call could mean I need to walk away from all I’ve worked for …

This was personal, he thought. He shouldn’t ask.