‘We’ve been trying to reach them,’ grunted Roger Grant, the gruff Australian resident. ‘Last time we spoke, Paul was going to fly me over some antibiotics, but he never turned up. When I couldn’t raise them for a week or so, I flew in. A bloody attack helicopter sent me packing before I could land.’

‘When was this, Roger?’

‘About a month ago.’

‘But they told me the region had only been closed for three weeks. Oh my God.’ Her mind raced. ‘Do you think they’re all right?’

He was silent for a moment. ‘Paul and the hospital are well regarded. I can’t imagine they’d do him any harm – on the other hand, the army seem to have their blood up about something. But I’ve never known them to close down a province for this long.’

‘Isn’t there someone we can call?’

He gave a dry laugh. ‘A waste of time, Doctor Carter. The more you ask, the less you’ll get. If it were me, I’d go home, or find somewhere comfortable and wait until Paul calls. Manila’s a one-hour direct flight. There’s not much to do in Jayapura, if you catch my drift.’

Giving him her email, she begged him to keep her updated.

‘No problem. Take care.’

Hanging up, Mia lay back on the bed and reflected on his veiled warning. She was under surveillance, which meant no talking things over with her mom and dad, who would only worry themselves sick anyway. But going home or relaxing by a pool in Manila?

Not a chance.

Mia opened a map of greater New Guinea on her laptop. The world’s second largest island looked uncannily like its most famed inhabitant, the bird of paradise. And just above where the tail met the body, was the mouth of the Sepik. The great river had intrigued her since her first flight with Paul, when he had pointed out its sluggish brown coils from 20,000 feet. It crossed the PNG border not twenty miles from the site of the mission, and there was a well-used trail through the forest, which she had trekked with Avis, Mark and Jacinta over three wonderful days.

If she couldn’t fly in, why not take a boat, and walk?

Mia stared out of the window at the listless palms by the pool. It was extremely dangerous travelling alone, and unattached women were fair game. Re-entering Papua on the sly was also highly irregular, and might see her arrested and deported. But what was at stake here? Paul Ford was not only offering to teach her how to run a fifteen-bed hospital and community clinic; he was putting his faith in her ability to lead a vital service for years to come. Was she really going to turn her back on all those wonderful people who were already depending on her?

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Sepik River, Papua New Guinea