Stepping Into The Prince's World. Marion Lennox

time you reach Hobart the fuss will have died down. You might need to apologise to a few people and go home and hug your grandparents, but it’s no big deal. So one soldier’s gone AWOL? If they don’t think you’ve drowned then they’ll probably assume you’re in a bar somewhere. Or with a woman.’

      And then she had the temerity to grin.

      ‘Actually, they’re both true. You’re very much with a woman, and if you go through that door there’s a truly excellent bar.’

      ‘I think I need it,’ he said, and she chuckled and tried to stand.

      She wobbled a bit and he rose to steady her.

      ‘What did you give me?’ she demanded. ‘I feel like I’ve had enough drugs to down an elephant.’

      ‘Or to not scream when your arm went back in. You were very brave.’

      ‘I was, wasn’t I?’ she said smugly. ‘So I’m brave and you’re lost. And my arm’s back to where it belongs. They’re the givens. For the rest...we just have to get on with it.’

      ‘I really can’t get off this place until next Monday?’

      ‘We can try and fix the transmitter,’ she told him. ‘Are you any good with electronics?’

      ‘No.’

      ‘Then I’m vetoing that as a plan straight away,’ she told him. ‘I have no intention of saving you twice. Now, Raoul...?’

      ‘Yes?’

      ‘Put some logs on the fire while I feed Rocky. We have life to get on with.’

      ‘Yes, ma’am,’ he said, because there was nothing else to say. Nothing at all.