Page 25 of Stranded with the Surgeon

‘You actually do this forfun?’

‘Yep.’

Jennifer’s face twisted into lines of disbelief as she turned to clamber backwards down a narrow channel between two huge boulders. Spray from the small waterfall to her left sent an icy rainfall to splatter her head and she could feel the drops collecting into runnels down the length of her spine.

They had been following the course of this mountain stream for what felt like an eternity. Now deep in the rainforest, the thick canopy prevented any warmth from sunshine and the sound of rushing water had become oppressive white noise that covered any sound with the potential to make this journey a little more tolerable. Like the buzz of a small plane or the chop of an approaching helicopter. Or the gentle cacophony of bird life. Or even conversation.

Guy was at least ten metres in front of Jennifer, and he managed to stay at precisely that distance no matter how hard she tried to close the gap. That meant shouting if she wanted to talk to him, and Jennifer was far too weary to shout. She needed every ounce of energy she could summon to simply keep moving.

It would be so much easier to be covering the type of terrain that had led to the lake yesterday. Even to be picking their way across snow. But, no, they were making their way slowly down a much harder slope, negotiating boulders, fallen tree trunks and sometimes thick vegetation, which all required a huge physical effort.

Shirley’s suede shoes were hopeless. More than once Jennifer had slipped and had had to catch herself to prevent a fall. The firm splinting Guy had provided for her arm couldn’t prevent the agony when she had to use that limb to save herself. Her guide didn’t seem too bothered by his own injuries. He limped occasionally and she had seen his face set into grimly determined lines at times, but he hadn’t slackened his pace or given them a rest yet.

He moved as though he knew exactly where they were going. As though he was actuallyenjoyingthe challenge.

‘It’s beyond me.’

‘What is?’ Guy was slowing down. Finally.

‘How anyone could enjoy doingthis.’ Jennifer stepped up on a rock and then found a flat patch of shingle to hop down towards. Her legs protested the effort and she sighed. ‘At least I’m getting all the exercise I need for the rest of my life here. I think I’ll even start driving to work and that only takes me ten minutes to walk.’

Jennifer was about to pass Guy as she spoke, but she didn’t stop. It wasn’t exactly a difficult route, was it? All they had been doing for hours now had been following this damn stream.

‘I wouldn’t do that if I were you.’

‘What?’

‘Look up, Jenna.’

Jennifer raised her gaze from finding the next foothold. ‘I don’t see anything.’

‘Precisely. Where do you think the stream has gone?’

Jennifer took a cautious step forward. The sound of the water had changed as well. The gurgle of a fast rocky flow had become more distant – a solid roar. She saw why when she stepped high enough to see past the ferns crowding tree trunks on either side of the stream.

She stepped back hurriedly. ‘It’s a waterfall!’ she cried in dismay. ‘Down acliff!’

‘We’ll have to head along the ridge and find another way down.’

‘Oh…great!’

Jennifer’s mutter was inaudible. Once again, Guy was leading the way and this time they were heading into the forest. Uphill. He couldn’t know what direction he was going in. They could be doing some vast circle that would lead them back to the lake.

They were completely lost and no rescue team would spot them hidden beneath the canopy of dense rainforest. She couldn’t see why Guy was bothering to even mark their route as he bent yet another fern frond, turning the silver side uppermost to shine amongst the dark green foliage.

The trust she had bestowed on this man last night was wearing very thin, his stamina and calm demeanour no longer any comfort. He was an alien species all right. He’d just keep going until he dropped, and he’d probably do that with little or no communication. No wonder his wife had fled back to civilisation. She herselfshouldhave stayed with the plane. At least she wouldn’t have been left feeling so unwanted by the lack of conversation her companions could have offered.

The bitter train of thought led back to Digger, and Jennifer knew she shouldn’t judge Guy Knight’s personality on his current state. She had to remember he was trying to save them both right now, and as long as they survived, she couldn’t care less what sort of person he was.

‘Take a break, Jenna.’ Guy had chosen a fallen moss-covered tree trunk as a resting place.

Jennifer said nothing as she sat down.

‘How are the feet holding up?’

‘I’m keeping up, aren’t I?’

‘You’re doing well.’ Guy nodded.

---