As Algernon hobbled painfully along the rough track he was completely ignorant of the fact that his watch had stopped – that he’d walked in a wide circle – and the glow that he’d thought was the sun was in fact the swiftly advancing bushfire. And he was heading straight towards it.

10

Sal had comforted him through the storm, and as it had passed, and Max’s fears were quelled, she had finally fallen asleep in his arms.

She was now in that soft, languid half-world between sleep and wakening and was reluctant to stir from it. His warmth enfolded her, the hard length of his body stretched alongside her as she breathed in rhythm with the drum of his heart. The very nearness of him made her feel safe and cherished, and she burrowed into his embrace, her face lifted towards his yearning for the kiss that must surely come.

‘Sorry, Sal, but my arm’s gone dead.’ Max gently disentangled himself and sat up on the sagging couch.

Disappointment surged through her and she opened her eyes. ‘I was enjoying that cuddle,’ she reproached him softly.

He didn’t look at her, but scrubbed his face with his hands and got stiffly to his feet. ‘The sun’s up and the storm’s passed. I have to let the dog out and see to the horses.’

Brandy was whining by the door, and Sal watched as Max picked up his walking stick and slowly crossed the room. As he opened the door the dog shot out and the light flooded in, and she could see the hobbled ponies waiting patiently by the veranda.

Feeling rejected and rather cross, Sal swung her legs off the couch and realised in horror that her blouse had slipped off her shoulder to reveal most of one naked breast, and her skirt had been hitched up to her knickers. No wonder he’d shot off like a scalded cat, she thought, the humiliation making her crosser than ever. He must think I’m a wanton tart.

She tied the drawstrings of her blouse, yanked her skirt down and got off the couch. Max had behaved like a complete gentleman, and although he must be as embarrassed as she, she wished with all her heart that he’d taken advantage of the situation. She wanted him to ravage her, to make love to her with the passion she knew he possessed – wanted to feel his hands and lips on her skin and the driving urgency of glorious, liberating sex with the man she adored.