Page 23 of In Hiding

She reached toward him. This time, he grabbed her hand and kissed her palm. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s okay.”

“What do I do?”

“Go get help.”

“I can’t leave you,” he yelled at her. “I won’t.”

“You have to, baby. There’s no more you can do. Call triple zero then come back.”

“Mama,” he cried, not giving a shit how it made him look. “I can’t.”

Her soft smile made his throat tight. “You can. Be strong, my darling.” She winked at him, giving him enough strength to do as she asked.

Setting her hand on her chest, William stood and bounded up the stone steps two at a time. The path led him up the slope to the front of the house where a tradesman’s ute came to a stop in the driveway. Confused by the unfamiliar vehicle, William was about to ignore it when Jake—their new handyman—stepped out of the cab.

“Will? What’s wrong?”

“It’s Mama. She’s fallen. She’s hurt.”

Jake ran toward him, zipping up his jacket and pulling his hood over his head. “Where is she?”

“I have to call an ambulance.”

Jake looked at his hands. “Take me to her.”

He couldn’t decide. He wanted to go to her, but she needed help. Too much was at stake. Jake grabbed him by the shoulders and put his face close to William’s. “Don’t think, boy. Do. Where is she?”

“At the cliff.”

5.

The kid bounded ahead, skipping down the step stone steps two at a time. Slower and heavier, Jake had to make sure of his footing. Slipping now would do no one any good. The rain drummed around him as the bush came alive with the smell of eucalyptus and wet earth. Staring down the path, he took in the closeness of the cliff’s edge and the expanse of emptiness that lay beyond.

Then he saw her.

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