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He walked over and looked down at her, and his heart jumped. Her face was white, and she was wet with perspiration. He wrinkled his nose and noticed she had been sick beside the bed.

He touched her shoulder gently and gave her a little shake. ‘Tarni, wake up. Are you sick?’

Her eyes opened and she looked at him without recognition before her head lolled to the side and they fell shut again. He felt her forehead; her skin was icy cold. He tried to sit her up, but her limbs flopped. Cy lay her in the recovery position and pulled his phone out of his shirt pocket and dialled triple zero.

Chapter 36

Hotel Playa Feliz, Mexico - early June

Ellie

Kane had been very quiet for the last two nights, and Ellie wondered what was wrong. They had gone down to breakfast early this morning because he wanted to get to the farm, and she didn’t understand why he had to be there so early. The kids had woken up early too, so they decided to have breakfast at the restaurant together before he headed off.

‘Now tell me again why you had to go so early,’ she said as she reached for the bowl of fresh fruit and chopped some into small pieces for Matilda.

Kane hesitated, and Ellie looked at him. ‘What’s going on?’ she asked.

‘Nothing. What would be going on?’ he replied, looking innocent.

‘I know you, Kane McLaren. You’re up to something. You've been a bit vague the last couple of days.’

‘I just . . . my head is full of everything that’s happening. I’m seeing and learning so much, I need to keep on top of it. Tarni is going to be really interested. I’ll give her a call tonight.’

Matilda was sitting on Kane’s knee and she reached out and took his spoon from the table. ‘Look, Mum,’ James yelled. ‘Tilly wants to feed herself.’

‘She does, but it might be a bit messy on that white cloth.’ Ellie took the spoon and passed Tilly a small piece of mango.

‘I can feed myself, Mommy,’ Verity said, ‘but can I have some fruit for Adora?’

Ellie and Kane exchanged an affectionate glance. Adora, Verity’s doll, had been everywhere with them on this trip. She’d fallen in the pool, and there had been a near tragedy when the doll had fallen off the merry-go-round at a fun fair they’d stumbled upon in the next town last weekend.

Kane picked up his napkin and dabbed his mouth, and then wiped Tilly’s fingers before he stood and passed her over to Ellie. ‘Anyway, love, I’m going to have to go now. What are you planning for the day?’

‘The usual.’ Ellie smiled. ‘Lazing around the pool.’

‘They’ll be bringing you your hot towels? Should I be worried about these guys who deliver cocktails?’

‘Non-alcoholic cocktails, and no. None of the barmen are as good-looking as you, my love.’

‘That’s all right then.’ Kane leaned down to kiss her goodbye. ‘Listen, don’t go far away today. I’ll come home for lunch and we’ll have it at the pool restaurant. How does that sound?’

‘Good. I’m planning on taking the kids down for a swim as soon as we get changed. We’ll go to the waterpark at the far end. It’ll be warm enough to go for a swim in about half an hour, and it won’t be so crowded this early. You have a good morning and we’ll see you for lunch.’

Kane dropped a kiss on top of Verity’s head, gave James a hug on the way past, and tickled Matilda.

‘You guys have a great day too,’ he said. ‘I’ll see you later. You’ve got your security card to the room, right, Els?’

‘Yes, darling, I have.’ Ellie’s eyes narrowed as Kane hurried out. She knew him well enough to know he had a surprise up his sleeve. They’d had the most wonderful holiday, even with Kane working a few hours each day. He was keen to get home, and they’d discussed going back soon. Kane had seen all he’d wanted already.

‘Can we have a big long swim today, Mum?’ James asked as they took the lift back up to their suite. ‘Gareth from the creche said they were going to be at the pool today too.’

‘That’ll be nice. You’ll have somebody to play with. Slow down, guys. Tilly’s getting heavy.’ Ellie walked behind her two oldest children as they ran from the lift. ‘Now, Tilly, my darling. You are going to miss your morning sleep, and then you can have a long one this afternoon. How does that sound?’

Tilly gurgled as they walked to the door.

‘Can Adora come to the pool?’ Verity asked.

‘Mummy already said no, remember? She might get sunburned,’ Ellie said, trying to think of a better excuse. The doll had been the bane of their trip, lost at the fun fair, and left at the train station. It was a miracle that they still had Adora.