‘As amazing as they say. And the resort is excellent. I’m glad I went.’

George studied him and Zac raised his brows. ‘Well? Do I look human?’

‘Well rested. How are the headaches?’

‘Almost gone.’ Most of the time, but George didn’t need to know they still came, though each one was milder than the last. He didn’t mention that the dreams were getting worse, either.

‘Let’s have a look at you, then.’ George came around the desk with his ophthalmoscope and proceeded to attend to the neurological examination Zac had expected. His hand ran over the rough area at the back of Zac’s neck. ‘Stitches out, I see?’

‘The clinic at Yulara obliged. The nurse there is very friendly.’

George laughed. ‘You were very exciting for them.’

Five minutes later it seemed George was satisfied. ‘I’m happy to tick you off. Are you ready to come back to work?’

Was he? ‘I believe so.’

‘On night shift because I have no one else?’

‘Sure. Nights are fine.’ He wasn’t sleeping well anyway, and maybe the nightmares would stay away in the day.

‘Great. Then come back tomorrow night.’ He cleared his throat a little sheepishly. ‘Ah, in view of a shortage of doctors –’ he coughed – ‘is there any chance you could do an extra fortnight’s locum if you feel up to it?’

‘Of course.’ And funny how quickly that had come out. Why wouldn’t he just want to go as soon as he could? Zac frowned at himself. He’d answered so quickly in the affirmative that anyone would think he wanted to stay here. He wasn’t thinking that, of course not, he reassured himself – he just wasn’t ready to return home yet.

George had gone on, rubbing his hands. ‘Do two shifts and then two days off. And then we’ll add another four after that and see how you go.’

George wasn’t giving him a chance to change his mind. Which was fine by him. Sitting around was driving him mad. ‘Do you want to go back to the same hotel?’ The hospital provided the accommodation.

‘Sure. I don’t need the apartment, though. Just a room will do. I need to sort my things and get ready for the week.’ In fact, it would be good to have a purpose, and his gear was a mess from moving so many times in the last couple of weeks.

An hour later, sitting on the bed of his new hotel room, Zac cleaned out his wallet. As he tipped out the change from the zippered section at the back, something else fell out with the coins he’d accumulated over the last few days. A ring. He stared at it, nonplussed. Judging by the single pink diamond, it was an engagement ring.

He kept watching it as if it were a lizard about to dash off the bed.

Why would he have an engagement ring?