Scandal In Sydney. Alison Roberts

there today …

      Tom couldn’t stay on the farm any more. Not alone. They’d have to find him a live-in housekeeper.

      He’d hate it.

      Could he finally decide to commute?

      Tom would hate that, too. He’d put up with him as a kid, because he’d felt sorry for him. He tolerated Luke owning the place next door and he appreciated his help, but essentially he was a loner.

      Tom didn’t want Luke close, like Luke didn’t want anyone close.

      Anyone like Lily.

      His thoughts should have only been on Tom. Instead they kept drifting to a shadowed girl with bloodstained clothing and a courage that defied belief.

      Riding Glenfiddich yesterday.

      Holding Tom today.

      Facing down the gossip of the Harbour.

      Coping with a mother who sounded like a nightmare.

      Wasn’t he supposed to be worrying about Tom?

      He was feeling sick about Tom. No matter that he was in good hands, there was still a chance …

      Don’t go there.

      He was going as fast as the speed limit and a slightly buckled Aston Martin allowed. The chopper would be back at the Harbour by now. Jack and his team would be doing their utmost to save Tom.

      Would they have released Lily?

      She’d go into Theatre with them, he thought. They’d leave her hand in position while Tom was anaesthetised, while they put every tool in place so they could work with speed to cut down, clamp, tie off, without compromising what little was left of the leg’s blood supply.

      Then Lily could step away.

      He needed to be there when she stepped away.

      How fast could he make this car go? Not fast enough.

      He hit the phone. Evie.

      ‘He’s here and he’s still with us,’ Evie said before he could say a word. ‘Jack’s taken him straight through into Theatre. He had everyone lined up before he got here. Finn’s supervising. Judy’s on her way. You have the best surgical team the Harbour can provide.’

      ‘Lily …’

      ‘Lily still has her hand in place. We’re not shifting her until we’re sure we can get in fast enough.’

      ‘Can you be there when she’s no longer needed?’

      ‘I’ll have one of the nurses—’

      ‘I want you, Evie,’ he snapped. ‘I don’t ask favours, but I’m asking for one now. She’s had gastro. I’m worried about her as well. It’ll be twenty minutes before I get there. Be there for Lily for me.’

      ‘If it means that much …’

      ‘It means that much, ’

      ‘Well, well,’ Evie said gently. ‘And I thought it was mostly gossip. You really do care. Don’t worry, Luke, of course I’ll be there.’