Page 30 of Taking the Heat

‘Please. Good night, Tara.’

‘’Night, guys,’ I said absently.

With all the fun sucked out of the room, everyone began to drift out. Henry waved tentatively as he left, and I gave him a tight smile in return.

I stood awkwardly, wincing at my sore knees as they protesting against weight bearing. ‘Can you walk okay?’ Chris materialised by my side.

‘I’ll be fine.’ I walked unevenly past him, but my ridiculous shoes almost caused me to fall again. Staggering, I gripped the back of a chair for support.

‘You won’t make it on those,’ he said, amused. ‘Sit down. Let me help.’

Too sore to argue, I did as he said. Chris kneeled at my feet and took my shoe in his hand. Carefully, so he didn’t touch my skin, he slid the high heels slowly from my foot. I shivered slightly at the intimacy of the act.

‘I’m sorry about before,’ said Chris, looking up at me, his icy eyes contrite. ‘I didn’t mean to go off. I just hate seeing you hurt.’

‘I know,’ I said. We stayed like that for a moment, alone in the bungalow. Well, alone if you didn’t count the crew carefully documenting our movements.

‘I’m not going to hassle you. I just wanted to make sure you made it back to your room okay. I made a production runner grab a wheelchair for you, only if you want it. He’s waiting with it on the walkway.’

I hate being treated like I’m handicapped, or like a little girl, but the agonising throb in my knee saw my indignation dissipate. ‘Thanks.’

He slipped off my second shoe, and shadowed me as I stood again and made my way to the exit.

Once I was in my wheelchair, I said, ‘Thank you, Chris. You didn’t have to do this.’

‘Yes, I did.’

‘I’ll see you tomorrow?’

‘Yeah. Sweet dreams, babe.’

He loped off down the platform, and my body shook, desperate to follow him.

Chapter 11

Transcript of Tara M’s video diary: Day 4

Standing on the beach the next morning, I stretched carefully. Thanks to some strong pain meds and a decent night of sleep, plus a full plate of medicinal bacon for breakfast, I was feeling pretty sturdy again. As the other contestants made their way onto the sand, Henry approached me cautiously.

‘Tara, I’m so sorry.’ He held out a hibiscus flower, a vivid red to match my bikini and beach dress. ‘I really did think I was doing the right thing, but of course I acted like a total knob. Can you forgive me?’

I melted. ‘Yes.’ Taking the flower, I tucked the stem in the band of my low ponytail. ‘It wasn’t your fault, anyway. I’m the klutz who shouldn’t be allowed out in heels.’

‘I do find high heels on a woman very attractive. It would be a shame for you to give them up permanently.’ His face flushed, as he awkwardly tried to flirt.

‘No promises,’ I told him, smiling at his shyness. ‘What do you think they’re up to today?’

‘I have no idea, I’m sure.’

The rest of the contestants arrived and people stood around, chatting in small groups. The African girl I hadn’t met yet wandered over to us. She smiled at Henry and me, her teeth almost violently white against her luminous skin.

‘Hello. It is nice to meet you both! I am Jendayi.’ Her accent was lilting and wonderful. ‘You can call me Jen, if you wish.’

‘Hey Jen, nice to meet you too. I’m Tara and that’s Henry.’

‘Yes, we’ve met. Hullo again, Jen. The last time we spoke, you were telling me about the orphanage you want to start.’

Jen nodded vigorously. ‘Yes! In Harare, there are many, many children who have lost parents. With my prize, I will make a safe place for them in my city.’

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