Dangerous Associations

Chapter 1

The Accident

Bring her over here, quickly I heard someone shout. The ambulance men who were carrying my stretcher responded immediately to the doctor's request. Suspected broken collarbone, head trauma, concussion, possible spinal injuries, a badly broken leg and probably some broken ribs, I heard the paramedic reel off as they transferred me to a bed. I was drifting in and out of consciousness. I heard the doctor order a barrage of tests and then everything went black again. When I came to I was being wheeled into the X-Ray department for a series of scans. It's easier to sleep through this, I thought as I nodded off again.

Wake up Cathy. Cathy, wake up. Open your eyes for me.

I tried to respond but my head was too heavy. The voice wouldn't go away. Why wouldn't they just let me sleep?

Cathy, look at me the voice insisted. I concentrated hard and managed to open my eyes. I looked straight into a handsome, tanned face, peering closely into mine, as the doctor searched for a reaction.

That's better he said in a quieter tone. Try and stay with us.

She's gone again the nurse said, stating what the doctor already knew.

The next time I came around I was in a ward in Intensive Care with a nurse sitting beside me.

Hello, dear she said as I gazed around me. It's nice to have you back with us. I'll go and tell the doctor that you are awake.

She patted my arm as she rose and returned in a few minutes with the same doctor whose face I had seen before.

Hi Cathy he said in that warm voice. How are you feeling?

Pretty awful actually I replied.

Well, that's to be expected. You've had a nasty accident. Do you remember what happened?

I shook my head. I remembered leaving for work, but the next thing I remember is waking up here in the hospital.

Not to worry the doctor said. I'm Dr Rob Featherstone and I'll be looking after you. Your husband's waiting outside. I'll let him know he can come in and see you now.

I smiled weakly and waited for Geoffrey. He looked concerned and took my hand as he kissed me lightly on the cheek.

How are you Cathy? he asked.

Oh, you know - been better I said, trying to make light of it.

I was really worried about you. The police rang and said there had been an accident but I didn’t know how bad it was. I managed to get a lift over to the hospital and then they wouldn’t let me in. They’re going to keep you in for a while.

I made a move to sit up but my head was swimming and I laid back on the pillows.

You’ve totalled my truck he said accusingly, his concern for me quickly disappearing. It’s a write-off. I’ll have to pick up your car in the morning and use that.

I struggled to keep my eyes open. I just wanted to close them for a few minutes and let everything go away.

I'll let you rest now Geoffrey said, making for the door.

Rushing back to your latest girlfriend, I thought rather spitefully. I nodded to let him know it was alright and he disappeared down the corridor. Oh well, I thought, it was easier when he wasn't around anyway.

I was relieved to hear from Dr Featherstone later that night that I had not suffered any permanent damage to my spine, it was just bruised. The not-so-good news was that my collarbone was broken, I had three broken ribs and my left leg was broken in two places. The cuts to my face were superficial and would heal without scarring, I was assured. I was relieved. When I was given a mirror to check my face it looked pretty bad with stitches and cuts everywhere, a broken nose and black eyes. Not that Geoffrey gave me much confidence in my looks, but I would find it easier to face the world if my face wasn't a mess.

We reset your nose and it will be fine. The swelling will soon go down but you are going to have a couple of shiners for a few days the doctor continued.

He was kind and compassionate and I liked him immediately.

Try to rest now he said as he left me to my thoughts.

It wasn’t long before I succumbed again to the escape of sleep. The next morning my parents came to visit. They had driven down from the Blue Mountains and arrived just as I finished breakfast. It had not been easy to feed myself with a broken collar bone, even though it was my left one and I was exhausted from the pain and the effort. By now my leg was also throbbing and I was glad when the nurse came in with some pain killers.

We came straight away, darling. Geoffrey only rang us this morning my mother said rushing over to kiss me and plump up my pillow. We are just so relieved to see you sitting up and eating.

Dad gave me a gentle kiss on the cheek.

How are you feeling Cathy? he asked as his eyes roamed the cuts and bruises on my face.

I’m okay, Dad. They are keeping me pretty drugged up.

Where’s Geoffrey? my mother asked. Isn’t he here yet? I thought he’d stay with you.

Oh, he had things to do. You know how it is I replied; but I could see that she didn’t.

Well, I’m here now she responded as she bustled around, tidying things up.

Mum and Dad stayed for a couple of days in a motel next to the hospital. They spent most of the day with me and Mum cut up my food and helped me as I struggled to do everything with one hand and my leg in plaster up to the top of my thigh. Thank goodness it wasn’t my right collar bone - at least I could use my right hand. Geoffrey popped in each evening. My parents assumed he stayed with me until lights out but he only stayed for half an hour and I didn’t enlighten them. I was glad to have time to myself and dozed most of the time with the TV on in the background. I needed to work out how I was going to manage when I went home – I knew Geoffrey wasn’t going to be any help. My parents had their own lives to lead – since retiring they had become heavily involved in bowling as well as doing some charity work and they were rarely at home. I knew I could go and stay with them until I could manage again but when I suggested it to Geoffrey he became angry.

Don’t you think I can look after my own wife? Forget it, you’re coming home as soon as they give you the all clear.

Once Mum and Dad realised I was on the road to recovery I convinced them that they should return home.

Okay, darling Mum said when I insisted it was time they both went home. If you’re sure. We’ll come down again in a few days and see how you are doing. Don’t forget, if you need anything when you leave here you only have to ask.

They were as good as their word and came down every few days, staying with me for several hours. Mum always brought me fruit or flowers and Dad snuck in the occasional box of chocolates. It was always great to see them and to have a bit of pampering. I certainly wasn’t getting any spoiling from Geoffrey.

It was there, lying in the hospital bed recovering from my injuries, that I had time to reflect on my life and finally found the strength to change it. By the time my body had healed sufficiently for me to leave hospital my resolve to end my marriage had strengthened. A couple of days before I was discharged I found the words to tell Geoffrey. He was not impressed.

You don't know what you are saying he told me. You'll feel differently when you are over all of this and back home.

I'm not coming home Geoffrey - I'm going to stay with my sister.

We'll see he replied as he kissed me lightly on the brow.

Two days later my sister, Jan, helped me into her little car and drove me away from the hospital and away from Geoffrey. Her husband, Peter, made me feel very welcome and Jan was amazing, juggling her job with looking after me. I was limited in what I could do with my leg encased in plaster and nothing was too much trouble for her. Once my collarbone started to knit I tried to help by perching on a stool in the kitchen to peel the vegetables but other than that I wasn’t able to do very much. I refused to take Geoffrey’s calls and he finally stopped ringing.

Two months after the accident my leg was released from its plaster and I found a flat close to work. I was ready to rebuild my life. Jan came with me that Saturday morning when I went back to the flat I had shared with Geoffrey to pick up my belongings. I was dreading seeing him again and had asked her to come with me for support, but fortunately he was out when we arrived. I let myself in with my key and packed what I needed. I took mainly clothes, but he had packed some of my books and knick-knacks into three boxes and I loaded them into the car as well. I couldn’t see any evidence of another woman living there - the place was a mess, with unwashed dishes in the sink, dirty clothes on the floor and no sign of much housework having happened in my absence. I left my key on the kitchen bench and quickly closed the door behind me and, as I thought, on that part of my life.

Chapter 2

Reflections

It was a hot, dry afternoon. There wasn't a cloud in sight and the sun beat down mercilessly from the brilliant blue sky. We couldn't wait to put the boat in the water, to strip down to our swimming costumes and to feel the breeze from the water on our skin. The comfortable rocking motion of the boat as it slipped effortlessly through the criss-crossing waves was like a balm.

What bliss, I thought as I felt the wind on my body, mixed with the warmth of the sun. I closed my eyes and let my body relax against the high-backed seat. We skirted around the Marina, with its myriad of boats bobbing up and down rhythmically in the water waiting patiently for their next outing and passed under the Gladesville Bridge.

There was plenty of activity on Sydney Harbour as we made our way towards the famous Harbour Bridge. The Rivercat came up behind us, moving quietly through the water, filled with passengers crowding the deck space, eager to catch the breeze on such a hot afternoon and to taste salt on their lips. Many were straining for their first glimpse of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, which they had come so far to see. As we passed under the Harbour Bridge a train rumbled above us and a ferry came towards us from Circular Quay - reminders of the city, which seemed from the water to belong to another world. The steel girders of the Bridge overshadowed us for just a few seconds before we passed out again into the sunlight.

The Opera House on our right, just past Circular Quay, reflected the sun back to the water from its unique sail-shaped domes. A little further on, Lady Macquarie's Chair was packed with its usual influx of tourists and I could just make out the buses parked at the top of the hill, waiting for their passengers to return from the obligatory photo session.

We continued past Taronga Zoo and Clifton Gardens, towards Middle Harbour. There, near the lighthouse, we dropped anchor close to the shore. It was low tide and the water was only about a foot deep. Rob dropped over the side and waded out into the deeper water. I watched as he slowly immersed himself in the cool water. I enjoyed looking at his tanned body; he was still very athletic for a man in his forties. He beckoned to me to join him and, a little reluctantly, I left my comfortable spot in the sun and dropped over the side. The water was quite warm but it still took my breath away as I headed towards him.

There's something to be said for anchoring in deep water I called out as I surfaced.

Yes he agreed it's much better to drop straight in.

We swam lazily for a while before paddling to the shore. We picked our way carefully over the rocks - razor sharp oysters clung to them and we knew only too well that they were capable of giving you a nasty infected cut. We climbed the ladder to the lighthouse and sat for a while, enjoying the spectacular view which was normally exclusive to the lighthouse. Balmoral Beach, a favourite spot for families to converge on Sundays for picnic lunches under the spread of the Moreton Bay Fig trees, stretched out in the distance. Between the lighthouse and Balmoral several yachts were busily tacking to and fro, delighting in the afternoon breeze. Further up Middle Harbour there were a couple of larger cabin cruisers but, being mid-week, there was not much activity other than the yachts and the ferries.

It’s too hot up here Rob decided. Let's go back down to the water.

The climb back down the ladder was somewhat precarious, with the ladder starting some way down the rock and the rungs half eaten away by rust. I was glad when I made it safely back down to the sand, although it didn't bother Rob at all. He takes everything in his stride, I thought to myself.

The tide was coming in as we clambered back on to the boat. Rob opened the bottle of champagne he had brought with us, as was our habit. What a life, I thought, as we bobbed happily up and down on the waves, sipping our drinks and becoming very mellow. Rob was intermittently polishing the boat - just a few rubs here and there where he could reach comfortably - nothing too strenuous, just enough to keep him occupied. I watched him as he worked, marvelling at his patience and persistence - two of the qualities which had attracted me to him in the first place, on that very first day at the hospital. As I lay there shocked and bruised from the car accident he had carefully examined my injured limbs, giving reassurance in that quietly spoken voice, methodically checking me over whilst I groaned and winced with pain.

When my leg had strengthened and my collar bone completely healed I had joined the office tennis club and after six months my game had improved to a reasonable standard. I enjoyed tennis - especially the days when it all came together and I played well. I had enjoyed the game in my youth and I liked the social side as well. Tennis seems to attract people who enjoy the company of others and I had spent too many nights in the flat just watching TV and brooding over the past. Tennis gave me a night out and the chance to laugh. Whilst I didn't do well in the singles, in the doubles matches Nick and I, who had met on court, did quite well. Nick was married and his wife sometimes came along to watch us play. Not a tennis player herself, she was nevertheless very supportive of Nick's sport. Angie preferred golf. With her long red hair which she pulled back into a ponytail, she was strikingly beautiful, with flashing green eyes, a perfectly shaped nose and a generous smile. Nick, on the other hand, was almost stocky in his build, with powerful shoulders, muscular legs and a face that was neither handsome nor displeasing. His backhand was amazing and his ability to back me up on the court was the main reason for our success.

It was several months after the accident when I bumped into Rob Featherstone at the local video shop. He recognised me as I stood gazing at a shelf of videos, trying to pick something that wasn’t too violent. I had never liked violent movies, but since the crash I liked them even less.

Well, fancy seeing you here he said.

I looked up to see his kind eyes and ready smile.

Well, hello you. I responded.

How are you going?

I’m going really well, thanks to you. I’m even playing tennis.

"That’s great. I’m really pleased for you. Do you have any pain in your shoulder?

No, actually. I was lucky. It healed really well.

I’m glad. What sort of videos do you like? he asked as his eyes scanned the shelves.

Mysteries, thrillers – but not too much blood and guts or romance.

No romance, eh? His eyes dropped to my left hand and I saw him register that I was not wearing my wedding ring."

Geoffrey and I split after the accident I said by way of explanation.

Sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.

No, that’s fine. Best decision I’ve made in a long time I said with conviction.

Anything you’d recommend? he asked, changing the subject. I thought for a moment and pointed to Six Days and Seven Nights with Harrison Ford.

Actually, that’s not a thriller or a mystery, but it’s a really good movie and quite funny.

I hear he’s got a new movie out at the moment. Any chance you’d like to see it with me?

I thought for a moment and then happily accepted. Rob Featherstone was a good looking man, quiet, compassionate – what girl wouldn’t want to date him?

We saw the movie