Beyond the Quest by Natalie Debrabandere

Author:Natalie Debrabandere [Debrabandere, Natalie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781976234491
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2017-11-06T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

“Sorry about that, friends,” Matt announced a little while later when they arrived at the lake. “Naked swimming is not going to be possible at this location here today.”

“You know what,” Jane shot back immediately, “it’s a good thing you laugh at your own jokes, because nobody else is.”

“Not true, Jane, not true,” he observed, grinning. “Mel is loving it, look.”

Jane glanced at her, and instantly struggled to suppress her own smile. It was true. Melissa was laughing openly, and blushing hard at the same time. Looking very beautiful. Jane spotted that guilty little look on her face again, and immediately realised that they had probably both been thinking exactly the same thing. Although she would not admit it to Matt, she had been wondering about the possibility of going swimming out there with Melissa sometime. Naked, and alone. But he was quick to draw their attention to a bunch of disturbed sand on the shore, easily identifiable as traces of a caiman’s recent return to the water. If there was one, it meant there were more. And so, he was right, there would be no swimming in the lake for anyone, naked or otherwise. And once again, they would have to retreat a little deeper into the jungle to make camp.

“All right then,” Jane said. “Let’s find somewhere we can stop.”

It had been a long day, and despite her cheerful tone, she was feeling tired beyond words. Sticky sweat on her forehead made her want to rip the stitches out, and her excitement from the morning had eventually disappeared, leaving her feeling empty and rather sad. Yes, the lake was beautiful. And the tunnel had been an adventure all right. It would look awesome on TV, and no doubt Melissa would have both National Geographic and Discovery Channel producers eating out of the palm of her hand. But it was still not what Jane was looking for. As she walked dragging her feet at the end of the little group, with Melissa back in the middle where Jane preferred to have her, and Matt clearing out a trail at the front, she suddenly felt exhaustion drop on top of her like a blanket of liquid lead. She started to lose concentration. Caught her right foot on a root, and almost fell. She slapped a branch out of her face, and blew air out in total annoyance. Fucking jungle.

“Everyone okay back there?” Matt enquired.

“Yeah,” Jane muttered. “Great.”

All of a sudden, she wanted to be anywhere but here, in this mosquito-infested hell. Maybe somewhere like New York City. Hey, why not? It would do nicely. She would take Melissa out for an expensive meal at an exclusive restaurant, and sample the best wines with her. And then perhaps they could visit a beautiful art gallery after that, before going back to make love in a real bed, with clean sheets that did not reek of DEET.

Yeah, that would be nice, Jane reflected.

Feeling drunk with fatigue instead of a distinguished wine, she dropped her eyes, and stared at the muddy jungle floor as she walked.

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