Page 91 of Possession Under the Southern Stars

“What about Elora?” I say, walking up to him. She’s away on a cruise around the country with Linc. “Are you going to call her?”

He shakes his head. “We decided to wait until we have news. They’re in Milford Sound, so it’s unlikely they’ll have a reception anyway.” He looks down at me. When he sees me fighting tears, he puts his arms around me again.

We stand there like that for about a minute, letting the sunshine warm us through, because I’m sure, like me, he’s chilled to the bone.

Then I move back, and together we walk over to the front door.

“Do you want me to drive you home?” he asks.

But I shake my head. “I’ll Uber, don’t worry about me. Can you let me know when you get some news, though?”

“Of course.” He opens the door.

I hesitate. Then I give him a last, brief kiss before I walk out.

I walk down the steep hill to the main road and call an Uber. Then I stand there, heart still banging on my ribs, as I wait for it to arrive.

I could have stayed behind with Fraser, but he needs to concentrate on his family right now, and he doesn’t need me distracting him. There’ll be plenty of time for us to catch up once he has some news.

Realizing what the news could well be, I press my fingers to my lips. Oh, Zoe. She’s one of my best friends, and I can’t imagine what life would be like without her. She’s smart, feisty, bright, and cheeky, and the world would be a much poorer place if she wasn’t in it. She can’t be gone.

And Joel… I know Fraser will never be the same again if something happens to his brother. They’re very close, and they’ve been through a lot together, especially with what happened to Elora.

And as for her… kind, gentle Elora, who’s recovered from such a horrific event, and who’s been so brave. How will she cope with losing her brother?

No, I can’t think like that. In the same way that before I told Fraser about my past, I felt like Schrödinger’s Cat, Joel and Zoe are the same. At this moment, it feels as if they’re between worlds, as if they’re captured in amber. I have to remain positive, because if I think the worst and they’re alive, I’ll have worried all that time for nothing. And if I imagine the worst and they’re… not alive, I’ll have gone through it all twice. What is it they say—worry is the dark room where negatives develop?

I’m not sure if I believe in the power of prayer, or in the idea that thinking positive creates positive energy that can influence events, but what do I know? At this point, I’m not too proud to try anything. So, while I wait for the car to arrive, I close my eyes and prepare to send up a prayer to anyone who might be listening.

What should I say? Is there any point in praying that they’re alive? At this point it’s too late, surely? The die has been cast. But maybe time isn’t linear. Maybe prayer can change the past, and influence the course of events both past and future. There are more things in heaven and earth, Hallie, than are dreamt of in your philosophy…

So I pray that Joel and Zoe survived the storm, and that they made it to land, and they’re safe somewhere. And then I pray for Fraser and Elora, and for his parents, and Zoe’s parents, and for everyone else who knows them to have the strength to make it through the next few hours, and for whatever the future brings.

The car pulls up, and I get in and stare out of the window as it threads through the traffic to my apartment, lost in thought.

When I get home, I take a quick shower and dress, then head into work. I go straight up to Louise and explain the situation, and the two of us decide to keep it quiet from the rest of the staff for now. They all know Joel, and of course Zoe works here, and we don’t see any point in upsetting anyone when there isn’t any concrete news.

She assures me she can rearrange Fraser’s meetings, and after a quick hug, I leave her to it and return to the conservation room. I need to finish restoring the Maori box, and I have several other items to start work on, but it feels impossible to concentrate. I’m worried about Joel and Zoe, but we’re selfish creatures at heart, and I can’t help but think about myrelationship with Fraser, and what’s going to happen between us.

I make myself a coffee, then have a thought, and decide to call Whina Cooper. She answers after a few rings, and I tell her about Joel and Zoe.

“I thought I should tell you,” I say. “Not just because Zoe works here, but… well, I thought you’d like to know.”

“Of course,” she says, shocked. “Poor Fraser. How is he?”

“Worried. Terrified, actually. He’s going to fly up there and join the manhunt.”

“What about you—you’re not going with him?”

“No…” I don’t want to discuss our personal relationship with her. “I thought I’d check to see whether you’d managed to speak to Isabel.”

“Yes, I was going to call you later. I’ve booked you on a flight tomorrow morning at eleven, and I’ve spoken to her, and she finally agreed to meet you for lunch. I talked about my long relationship with her father, and I don’t think she felt she could say no.”

I blow out a nervous breath. “Okay.”

“I’ll text you the details of the flight. Good luck.”

“Thank you.”

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