When the undistinguished, glass-faced high-rises of the downtown area came into view, Marissa and Wendy were less impressed. “Looks like a city anywhere,” Wendy said. “You’d think they could have taken a hint from the local natural beauty and done something original.”

“You wonder with all this land why they have to build so high,” Marissa said.

Entering the city itself, their impressions improved. Although it was past rush hour, there were people everywhere. Everyone looked tanned and healthy. Almost all the men were in shorts. “I think I’m going to like Australia,” Wendy quipped.

As they waited at a light, Marissa looked at the parade of sunburnt faces. Many of the men had sandy blond hair and angular jaws. “They remind me of Robert,” Marissa said.

“Forget Robert!” Wendy said. “At least for now.”

During the flight, Marissa had told Wendy about her experience at Robert’s office. Wendy had been horrified and sympathetic. “No wonder you’d been so eager to leave,” Wendy had said.

“I don’t know what I’ll do when I get back,” Marissa had said. “If Robert and Donna are truly having an affair, then our marriage is over.”

The taxi entered a large square lined with palm trees. “That’s your hotel over there,” the driver said, pointing with his free hand. Then, hooking a thumb over his shoulder, he said, “On the other side, that sandstone building with the clock tower, that’s Brisbane City Hall. Built in the twenties. It’s got a great marble staircase. There’s a good view of the whole city from the top.”

Checking into the hotel was effortless. Soon the women found themselves in a plainly decorated, air-conditioned room with a city view that included a portion of the Brisbane River.

After hanging up some of their clothes, they spread out on their respective beds.

“Are you as tired as I am?” Wendy asked.

“I sure am,” Marissa said. “But it’s a good exhaustion: like a catharsis. I’m glad we came and I’m eager to see some of the city.”

“All I need is a shower and a nap,” Wendy said. “Who’s the tour director?”

“Sounds good to me,” Marissa said. “But I don’t think we should sleep too long. Otherwise we won’t be able to adjust to the time difference. I think we should call the desk and have someone wake us up in a couple of hours. Then we could do some sightseeing. We’ll save the clinic for tomorrow when we’re fresh.”

“I want to find out about getting out to the Great Barrier Reef,” Wendy said. “I can’t wait. I’ve heard it’s the best diving in the world.”

“Why don’t you hop in the shower first?” Marissa said. “I want to look up Female Care Australia in the phone book and figure out where it is on the city map.”