For once the spotless shine on the polished floorboards, the original oils on the walls and the plush carpet failed to impress. The glorious view across the harbour of flying sails mirrored by the 'sails' of the Opera House did not stir the imagination. Bursting into the room that had become a haven from oblivion questions rose to the fore.
What to do?
Where to go?
Sitting on the bed an inane thought took prominence.
Zoe? My name is Zoe? It would have taken, what, another 15 days before she reached Z and even then Zara had been at the top of her list. A hysterical giggle soon turned into gut wrenching sobs as Kate rocked back and forth clutching the stuffed bear to her breast. Ethan's first present to her.
A 'leech' he called her, worse still a 'slut'. Is that what she was?
Looking around the room Kate felt it had lost that aura of security, of belonging that it usually gave her. Now it represented everything she no longer had a right to have, a space that she could call hers with a place to sleep, her clothes in the cupboard and her things in the ensuite.
No more.
Even if she had convinced Ethan of her innocence of fraud there were the grotesque photos still clutched in her hand. She flung them from her as if they burnt. They represented an insurmountable barrier between her and Ethan - her past.
For the first time in 2 weeks Kate hurriedly changed into the clothes she had been wearing on that fateful day when a split second stole her past only to give her a taste test of a heavenly future. She hastily penned a note to Darlene, gathered the bear and the sloppy joe she had on when she found Ethan and lost herself and walked trembling to the door. Left behind were the trinkets, perfume and clothes that she had hoped were a token of his affection but now in hindsight she realised Ethan had showered on her merely to assuage his guilt. Maybe even to get her into his bed. One last look irresistible, Kate cast her increasing blurry gaze around her haven or was that heaven?
She certainly wasn't going there.
Quietly she closed the door, the image burned forever in her consciousness and returned downstairs.
Glancing into the study she noted with relief Ethan was gone. She heard though the sound of crystal clinking. Was Ethan toasting his narrow escape from her clutches? Or was he drowning his sorrows seemingly more affected by her apparent duplicity than he showed? Kate didn't dare venture into the lounge to establish the truth. Either way she wouldn't, couldn't face him.