The Heart of Deception

Chapter 26

After a light, appetising meal, they both only picked at, Lauren and Justin returned to the viewing pagoda. As twilight turned to darkness, the city lights glowed brighter, and the meandering river disappeared into the blackness of the moonless night.

“I’ve decided to go back to England at the end of the week.”

“I thought you wanted to avoid publicity,” Lauren sounded disappointed. “Isn’t it too soon to go back now?”

“I’ve given it some thought.” Justin turned to face her. “You’re right. Work does act as a balm for the soul. The longer I stay here, the more I realise I need to get back to my own life. Hiding away in Australia isn’t going to change anything.” He shrugged with a small smile. “Besides, my personal assistant is complaining about the mountain of work I have piling up at the office.”

Lauren impulsively hugged him. “I think I’m going to miss you.”

“So you’ve not changed your mind about coming home with me?”

“No.” She shook her head slowly. “We both know it wouldn’t work.”

Justin nodded. “Well, it was worth a try. You’ll come to the airport to see me off though won’t you?”

“Of course.”

He slipped an arm around her waist, as they strolled over to the parking lot. When they reached Kermit, Lauren handed him Max’s helmet.

“No, thank you,” he said with a grin, backing away with both hands raised. “I was serious about taking a taxi home. I’m feeling a little tired, so I’ll just go straight back to Max’s apartment tonight. I’ll come for the car sometime tomorrow.”

Still amused, Lauren leisurely headed for Coronation Drive, where she drove along the riverside. Then, before reaching the city, she veered towards the Northern Suburbs. To her surprise, she found Helen’s little four-wheel drive parked in their driveway. She hadn’t seen her friend since the funeral. Eagerly climbing the stairs, she let herself in.

“Strange,” she mused, dumping her helmet on the TV unit, as she looked around. “I wonder where they are.”

When Lauren stepped into the hallway, she could hear the hiss of the shower through the open bathroom door, around the corner. She abruptly stopped. Littering the floor, the full length of the passage, was a mish-mash of male and female clothing.

The smoke alarm in the dining room suddenly sounded. Its deafening shriek, made her bolt into the kitchen. Grabbing a tea towel, she switched off the oven, and flung the door open. A cloud of smoke belched out of the oven, revealing what might have been a lamb roast.

She turned in time to see the wet, towel clad figures of Michael and Helen scurrying into the kitchen. Their expressions changed from shock, to embarrassment, then guilt, when they saw her standing with the oven dish in her hands.

“Dinner’s ready,” she grinned, trying hard not to laugh. “If you like it well fired, that is.”

She deposited their burnt offerings on the sink, her shoulders shaking with laughter. Her father had looked like a teenager, who’d been caught with his pants down. Tears of mirth poured down her cheeks, as she turned to face them again.

“How about a take-away?” she giggled, as Helen moved into the protective circle of Michael’s arms. “I’ll go and get something for you to eat, while you sort yourselves out, shall I?”

She sauntered over to the TV unit, and grabbed her helmet and keys, as she headed for the front door.

“By the way,” she said, turning to look at the blushing couple, as she stepped outside. “I’m thrilled. I couldn’t have chosen anyone better for you myself, Dad. You deserve each other.”