‘I think you may have broken your ankle.’ She tried to keep her voice matter of fact.

‘Mmm.’ His face was a white blur in the darkness. ‘You’ll have to – drive to a phone – call an ambulance.’

‘I’m not leaving you lying out in the rain. You’ll get pneumonia.’ She couldn’t believe this had all happened so quickly and for a moment she had difficulty thinking what to do. ‘What was that? A hurricane?’

‘Just a sudden squall, I think.’

The front door opened and Cynthia peered out. ‘What’s hap— Oh!’ She made no attempt to come outside.

‘A freak wind blew Ben off the roof. We need to get him to hospital. You’ll have to drive to the highway and find a phone.’

‘Me? I can’t.’

‘What do you mean, you can’t? I’ve seen you drive.’

‘Yes, but not when I’ve had a drink or two. You weren’t the only one who was chilled through today, you know. I’ve just had a couple of stiff gins to warm me up.’

‘What does that matter?’ Megan yelled, unable to believe that even Cynthia could be so selfish.

‘They’re murder on drink driving here in Australia. I’ve already lost my license twice for it. If you offend a third time, they put you in prison. So you’ll have to drive for help while I stay here with Ben.’ She made no effort to come out of the house, though.

Megan looked down at her husband, who had closed his eyes and was obviously in considerable pain. ‘Stupid useless bitch!’ she muttered. ‘I’d like to throw her off the roof!’

Ben’s hand came up to grasp hers. ‘Join the club. I’ve been feeling like that all day. Nick shouldn’t be so patient with her tantrums. She’s far worse than she used to be.’

‘I thought you were fond of her.’

‘Hell, no! I was physically attracted to her once, but that didn’t last long. I was sorry when Nick fell for her, but he was determined to marry her and he’s old enough to know his own mind. I’ve just been trying to stop him worrying. He knows she drinks too much if she gets bored.’

He hesitated, then added, ‘And he knows she’s been unfaithful to him, as well. Though not with me. I’d never do that to a friend, even if I still fancied her, which I don’t.’

‘Oh.’ Megan sagged in relief. So all her jealousy had been unfounded. If he hadn’t been in such pain, she’d have hugged Ben on the spot.