Beneath The Surface

Chapter Three

With Shower and Breakfast crossed off of her to-do list all Olivia had to do now was wait for Sandra Morris to arrive to take her back into town where she could catch the bus back to Worremba. She had made the bed and tidied the granny flat. She had opted on her Louboutin pumps and black Givenchy pencil dress. It was formal, business-like, and sophisticated. She hoped the clients would see her as being professional and trustworthy.

Her suitcase was beside the front door and Olivia sat at the dining table tapping her fingers on the table top. Her make-up was flawless and natural looking and her hair was pulled back into the tight bun that she regularly donned. A light spritz of Mademoiselle by Chanel Coco completed her outfit. She glanced at the wall clock again. It was almost ten past nine. She took a deep breath in through her nose and exhaled slowly through her mouth. No need to panic. Still plenty of time.

The rain had continued through the night. It had eased off slightly from the torrential down pour and was now coming in steady stream.

"What is taking so long?" Olivia glanced at the wall clock once more. She stood and walked over to the front door. She pulled it open and was immediately blasted with a fine mist of rain. She could see two people conversing on Travis's verandah. The man had his back towards her and seemed to be arguing with someone in front of him who Olivia couldn't see. He was raising his hands animatedly and shrugging. As he raised is hand to rub his chin Olivia caught sight of the woman. It was Sandra. As Sandra's eyes drifted to Olivia, the man turned. It was Travis. He looked much younger in the daylight. It was still hard to make out his facial features but once again his cold, blue eyes were definitive. He sneered and turned back to Sandra then waved a hand through the air and stormed off into the rain towards the large shed.

Sandra watched him walk away then turned back towards Olivia and smiled weakly. She picked up a large box from the table beside her and ran across the yard through the rain.

"Sandra, you're a welcome sight." Olivia smiled.

"Why? Did something happen?" Sandra's eyes widened.

"No," Olivia said. "I'm just ready to get back on the road again."

"Oh. I'm afraid I have some bad news," Sandra said with brows drawn together. "This is for you." She thrust the box into Olivia's arms and Olivia peered down into the box. Groceries. Tins, bread, a few cold items, and some fruits and vegetables.

Olivia tilted her head and narrowed her eyes at Sandra.

"You're stuck here for a while longer yet."

Olivia's mouth dropped open. "What? Why? I Can't. I needto be in Worremba today. Is there a problem with the bus?"

Sandra gave an apologetic smile. "The roads are flooded my dear. There is no getting in, or out, of Deepbrook until the water's subside."

"Which will be when?"

Sandra shrugged.

"I need to know. I have to call my boss so we can reschedule my clients appointment."

"No one knows at this stage. Could be days, could be weeks-"

"Weeks?" Olivia shrieked. Her heart began to hammer in her chest. "Can't we just go around? Kevin has a four-wheel drive, surely he just take me on one of the back roads or something?"

Sandra rubbed her forehead. "It's not that easy. Most of the roads here are dirt, so when it rains they turn into mud. It can be difficult for the best drivers to get through some of this terrain."

"We could at least try?" Olivia pleaded.

Sandra shook her head. "Deepbrook is, if you like, a bit of a triangle. The coast forms one side and two rivers divide to create the border. Those rivers are flooded, with more water coming from the inland catchments. There is no way out. Not yet. It's far too dangerous."