Kate couldn’t argue with that. Not that there was any more time to even think about it because they’d reached the front of the queue. There were folders of documents to collect that included detailed instructions and maps. They received large identification numbers that they would have to wear pinned to their clothing at all times and coloured wristbands that were clipped on.
‘These numbers go on your vehicle.’ The official’s English was excellent but heavily accented. ‘These are your vouchers for meals and this is your room number. Go to the accommodation block and they will show you where to go. Don’t forget the welcome ceremony and briefing at nineteen hundred hours. If you hurry, you should have time for a meal first.’
The ski resort sprawled over several levels on the steep hillside with a road that separated each level in a zigzag. A road that was jam packed with vehicles parked on both sides of it. The variety of colours was amazing. Red and white predominated but there were yellow and green emergency vehicles with various designs of reflective stripes and insignia. Amongst the dozens of ambulances and marked emergency Jeeps and SUVs—many of which were also decorated with flags and other accessories, Georgia’s car looked small and plain. And it was parked far enough away to make it a mission to collect their bags.
‘You’ve got a Scottish flag, haven’t you?’
‘Och, aye...’ Georgia nodded. ‘One for each front window. And a bagpipe-playing bear that we can attach to the front bumper. We can do that later, though. I’m starving...’
‘I’ll just put the vehicle number stickers on. It was one at the front and one at the back, wasn’t it? Did they say which part of the windscreen it should go on?’
Georgia shook her head. ‘Just make it visible. You can read the rules later.’
Kate frowned. ‘I’ll just put the front one on the dashboard for now. If we stick it in the wrong place, it might not come off.’
Georgia paused in her task of hauling their bags from the back to give Kate a loaded glance.
‘You know, sometimes you make me feel like I’m out with my mother.’
‘If it keeps you out of trouble then that’s a good thing.’
‘I’m a big girl, Kate. I can look after myself.’ But Georgia was smiling now. ‘It’s a good thing you’re here, though. We certainly won’t get eliminated for breaking any rules. And, hey...how good is it that we’ve got our own category? There must be at least five other teams that have a doctor and one or two paramedics with them. Maybe one of them includes your friend.’
Kate pulled out the handle of her bag and started wheeling it down the road.
‘Doubt it. It must have just been someone who looked a bit like him. I’ve seen a dozen tall men with dark hair since then.’
Because she’d been looking?
She was still looking, she realised as they lined up and presented their meal vouchers in exchange for a plate laden with stew and dumplings. There was a bar open in the dining area and many tables had people enjoying a beer or wine with their meals. So many tables. So many people.
She’d already decided Luke couldn’t possibly be here so why was she scanning the room so carefully now?
‘There’s some space on that table.’ Georgia led the way. ‘Do you mind if we join you guys?’
‘Please do.’ The man’s face lit up beneath sun-streaked blond hair as he looked at Georgia. ‘I’m Dave. This is Ken and that’s Sally, who’s stuffing her face there.’
‘You’re from Australia, right?’
‘No. New Zealand.’ Dave sighed heavily. ‘Everybody thinks our accent is the same but it really isn’t.’ He grinned at Georgia. ‘No mistaking yours. You’re Scottish.’
‘I am. I like your uniforms. Are you paramedics?’
‘Yeah... You guys?’
‘I’m a paramedic. Kate’s a doctor. Is this your first time here?’
‘Sure is. Never seen anything like it.’
‘Where are you based at home? City or country?’
‘Auckland. Biggest city in the country. And up there in the top cities of the world to live in. You should come and visit sometime.’
‘Oh? What’s so great about Auckland?’
The conversation, as they swapped details about their home towns and talked about how little they knew of what was to happen tomorrow, was lively but Kate was only half listening.
Why was it so unsettling, she wondered, to be disappointed that she’d made a mistake? It wasn’t as if Luke had ever been anything more than a friend.
On his side, anyway.
On her side, too, after she’d got over that silly crush. And it hadn’t been that hard, had it?
Humiliating, maybe, when she’d felt invisible as anything more than a friend, but they had been very good friends and that was something special. Something that often lasted way longer than any romantic relationships. They’d studied together, competed fiercely to see could get better marks in exams and had supported each other in those first, nerve-racking encounters with real patients in real hospitals.
They’d kept in touch all through those early years of their careers after medical school, even though they’d ended up in different cities and she’d convinced herself that she was genuinely delighted when he’d fallen head over heels in love with the gorgeous Nadia—a nurse he’d met in his first year as a surgical registrar. She hadn’t been the one for Luke but she’d cared enough about him to wish him complete happiness with the woman who’d been lucky enough to be chosen.
Okay, it had been more than a little hurtful when contact had ceased but she’d always hoped that, one day, when Nadia felt more secure, the friendship would somehow be rekindled. A hope that had been slowly evaporating over the years, however. She hadn’t even thought about Luke for quite a long time. Until she’d thought she’d spotted him...
Maybe, when she got home, she’d find out where he was working these days. Drop him an email, even, and just say hi.
The plan was satisfying enough to enable her to put the distraction firmly to one side and tune in properly to the conversation around her. New Zealand was a place that had always fascinated her and she was keen to hear about what it was like to live and work there.
By the time she followed the others to get to the welcome ceremony and briefing, she had completely forgotten about Luke Anderson. It was taking more than enough concentration not to lose sight of Georgia or their new friends as they squeezed into a very crowded room.
‘Excuse me...’ She had to turn sideways to get past a group of medics wearing heavy coats with fluorescent stripes and rescue insignia. They were big men and maybe they hadn’t heard her because one of them stepped back and pushed Kate into the person on the other side of the space she’d been trying to get through. She felt hands grip her arms as someone tried to prevent her falling.
‘Oh, I’m so sorry.’ Kate could feel her face reddening as she regained her balance.
‘No problem. It’s a bit of a squeeze in here, isn’t it?’
Kate’s jaw dropped as she lifted her head. She knew that voice so well...
‘Oh, my God... Kate?’
A huge, dumb grin was spreading over her face but words had deserted her. Not that she needed them for a moment because Luke had enveloped her in a hug that was making it difficult to take a breath.
‘Kate?’
The voice came from behind her and she turned as the tight hold loosened.