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  She’d noticed Dominic staring at her legs before his eyes travelled up her body to find her eyes. Ashleigh had half-smiled at him and he’d moved towards her, his intent plain on his face.

  The principal had intercepted his first attempt, stepping into his path and offering his hand and thanks for the support Dominic gave the school. But then, while they were up on stage, in between the giving of prizes, he’d whispered he’d like to take her out to dinner.

  With a coy smile, she’d accepted. After all, Dominic was the most sought-after, eligible man in Jindabyne. It was well known that he was wealthy—a ski resort owner—and he gave generously to all the worthy causes in town. Mostly, though, Ashleigh liked the way he laughed easily and gave his full attention to whoever he was speaking to. He made her feel as if she was the only person in the world.

  There had been plenty of women who had tried to get his attention but none had succeeded. That’s where Ashleigh had been different. She hadn’t chased him or tried to get him to notice her.

  She didn’t need anyone. Having basically raised herself, she was happy in her own company and didn’t want to rely on other people.

  He’d wooed and courted her, lavished her with gifts and, for the first time in her life, Ashleigh had felt an aching need to belong somewhere. Being alongside Dominic meant being home. She’d fallen deeply for this handsome man, who seemed to regard her as the best thing that had ever happened to him.

  It hadn’t mattered to her that he had rushed things and wanted to be married as soon as possible—in fact, she had encouraged it. They didn’t want anything to delay their happiness, so why wait? Later, when she wished she’d put the brakes on, she realised that back then she wouldn’t have changed anything. She was blinded by love and her need to be part of Dominic’s life. Her need to belong somewhere.

  But it all changed the minute the golden wedding band had been slipped onto her finger. Her life became all about domination, control and verbal abuse. No one in the town could have guessed, or would have believed, what went on behind closed doors. It had taken even her so long to see it, or at least understand his behaviour for what it was.

  Now, here, in the shabby hotel room, staring at her changed reflection, she wondered how she hadn’t seen before what he was like. How had he managed to keep his true self so well hidden?

  And why had she accepted it was normal to be treated that way?

  Eliza kicked in. There was no point in feeling sad and sorry for herself.

  ‘Come on,’ she said sternly. ‘Pull yourself together. It’s always been just you. This is no different. You will not be the victim. Start putting a plan together. Rely on the strength you used to have. Focus on the future, not on what has been.’

  She turned abruptly from the mirror and went back into the bedroom. Pulling a map and a packet of chips from one of her bags, she sat cross-legged on the bed, tracing roads with her fingers while she munched.

  Freedom opened up before her and Eliza breathed deeply. A movie played in her head: long open roads, sunshine and independence. She could do what she liked, when she liked. To make decisions that were best for her, and her alone. Unimpeded, liberated and, well, just that. Free.

  Freedom, what a beautiful-sounding word. Although, deep down, she knew she would have to hang onto that word and what she was feeling now, for when things got tough. Which she knew they would.

  As she came out of a deep sleep, Eliza couldn’t work out where she was. Heavy blankets, not the doona on her bed at home, weighed her down. Then it all came flooding back to her. The fight, the punch, the drive.

  She sat up, touched her short hair and looked around. She found the remote for the TV and turned it on, checking her watch to see what the time was. Eight-fifteen a.m. She would have to get a move on if she were going to make it to Adelaide by evening, she thought.

  Last night, she’d decided she would drive to Blinman. She still had no idea why the article in OUTBACK had resonated with her, but she felt drawn towards the town. The country looked amazing, with its razorback mountains and purple–pink colouring. It was worth visiting for that, if nothing else.

  She was starting to pack her belongings when the top-of-the-hour news came on the TV.

  ‘Ashleigh Eliza Alberto has been missing from Jindabyne since early yesterday morning,’ the announcer said. ‘The police are extremely concerned for her welfare, as Mrs Alberto is mentally unstable. Her husband, Dominic Alberto, has made an impassioned plea for his wife to return home safely. Tara Brown reports.’

  Eliza froze as Dominic’s tear-stained face flashed up on the screen. He was unshaven and looked like he hadn’t slept the whole time she’d been gone.

  ‘Please, if anyone knows where she is, can you call Crime Stoppers,’ he asked in a broken voice. A photo of the two of them on their wedding day accompanied the footage of Dominic. ‘I want my wife back. Honey, if you’re watching this, please get in contact with the police or me. I just need to know that you’re safe.’ He broke down in a fresh flood of tears and the cameras zoomed in close.

  For a moment, Eliza wondered if he actually meant what he was saying. Did he really miss her? A pang of regret and guilt shot through her before something flickered in her mind.

  Mentally unstable! What?

  ‘You bastard,’ she muttered, sinking onto the bed.

  Aiming the remote at the TV, she snapped it off. There was no way she could go out now. The only option was to stay put in the hotel for the next few days. Or travel at night, when there were fewer people around.

  Or both.

  Eliza drew in a breath and let it out gradually. Her hands at her mouth, she forced herself to think slowly.

  After a while, she got up and showered, washed her hair, put on her glasses and went downstairs.

  ‘Help you?’ Sal asked without looking away from the TV she was watching.

  With growing fear, Eliza realised it was tuned to the same channel she’d been watching in her room.

  ‘Yes, please,’ she answered, her heart thumping. ‘I’d like to stay here for a few more days. Do you think I could pay for another four nights?’

  Sal looked up slowly and Eliza met her eyes with a steady gaze. Inside, she was chanting, Please don’t recognise me, please don’t recognise me.

  ‘Sure thing,’ said Sal and made a note in the register. ‘Pay for three nights and get the fourth one free. Need anything else?’ She held out her hand for the money and Eliza passed it over. Sal stared at it for a moment, then back at Eliza.

  ‘No, thanks. I’ll be okay. And thanks for the discount.’

  ‘Quietest time around here is about four-thirty in the afternoon. Not much happens in the supermarket or down the main street after that, if you need to get out and pick up some food or fuel, or something.’ Sal turned back to the TV after putting the money in the till. ‘And if you want to put your car in the garage, it’s around the side. The door’s open. Just pull it down after you put it in there.’

  Eliza paced her small room, ten steps towards the window, ten steps back towards the door. She was buzzing with adrenalin from more feelings than she could name. She was frightened and nervous. But there were also traces of triumph and elation. And determination.

  She had got this far—she wouldn’t be caught now.

  Chapter 5

  The sky was a blanket of stars as Eliza left the hotel for the last time, a week after she’d seen the news report of Ashleigh’s disappearance.

  She’d kept herself hidden, venturing out only for food. Her bruise was nearly gone, and while the cut was taking a little longer to heal, she could hide it all with make-up. The air was cold as she carted her bags to the car.

  The hotel room had been her sanctuary for the past week. She’d again extended her stay, as the hunt for her had heated up. Sal had taken her under her wing—Eliza assumed it was because she’d suspected Eliza was actually Ashleigh. Maybe Sal had been in an abusive situation at some time in her life and wanted to help. Whatever
the reason, Sal obviously hadn’t believed the reports of her guest being mentally unstable. Although she hadn’t spoken more than a few words to Sal, Eliza would find parcels of food and drink outside her door in the early morning.

  It was time to move on, though.

  Eliza had planned the next part of her journey with precision. She would only be travelling at night and would be sleeping during the day. She wouldn’t be following the straightest route to Blinman, but would zigzag over the country.

  The first port of call would be Broken Hill, which was well and truly out of her way. As it was a mining town, Eliza hoped people there would mind their own business.

  She turned the key and the engine kicked into life, setting off a round of barking from nearby dogs. It sounded so loud in the still of the night. Eliza put the car into gear and drove away.

  Eliza was getting excited. She was almost at Blinman. Another hour and she would be able to get out, stretch and unpack. Start her new life. From her reading about Blinman, she knew she’d be able to rent a room from the general store. Getting a job might be an issue, but she’d deal with that when it came up.

  In the back of the car the swag and camping gear she’d bought at Broken Hill were jolting as she went over the bumps. She’d also bought a new mobile phone—a prepaid, so it couldn’t be tracked, and a new computer. She had to get some papers for her new identity. That was a task for when she was settled and had time to research it.

  Driving slowly so she could take in the scenery, she marvelled at the hills jutting against the vividly blue sky. There had been rain overnight and the bitumen was still wet in some spots.

  Eliza pulled over into a tourist bay and sat in silence, looking at the scenery. The hill in front of her was in a perfect volcano formation, covered in vegetation. Perfectly spaced little gorges showed where the water had once run down to the bottom.

  In the background was a higher range of hills, blue in the distance, and at the bottom was a deep creek and flood plain, covered in native pines. The native grasses were flourishing, while a few scattered white-coloured flowers, which Eliza assumed were some kind of daisy, bloomed across the landscape.

  Leaning against the bonnet of the car, she took a deep breath and felt contentment settle across her. This land had a spirituality about it. It felt ancient and wild. It was isolated and harsh—she could only imagine how hot it would be up here during the summer months.

  A flock of white corellas lifted from the distant creek and soared towards the sun. Their cries reached her and she shivered. There was no doubt this place was special, and she felt connected and grounded here.

  Eliza drove slowly, looking out the window as she went. She was getting very close now.

  The road was winding, and the countryside alternated between small shrubby bushes and rocks, deep ravines lined with river red gums, grainy creek sand, and flats with pine and acacia trees.

  Occasionally, she saw wedge-tailed eagles soaring on the thermals or sitting on the side of the road, picking at roadkill.

  They’re such majestic creatures of the air, she thought as she leaned forward, staring up at one of the eagles through her windscreen. Accidentally, she twisted the steering wheel and ran off the road into the gravel. She overcorrected and her car shot across the road. Again, she yanked the steering wheel back, but the car was on a course of its own.

  Eliza gave a high-pitched scream full of fear as the red rock wall bordering the road came hurtling towards her.

  There was a tearing sound of metal and the car came to a sudden, jarring halt, throwing Eliza forward in her seat.

  ‘Oh, my God!’ She stayed where she was, stunned.

  After a little while, she gingerly tried to get out of the car. The door needed firm pressure from her shoulder to open it, and the metal creaked in protest.

  She stood there for a moment, looking around, trying to process what had just happened.

  Cautiously, she took a few steps towards the front of the car, testing that her body was working as it should.

  She could see the headlight was smashed and the tyre flat. The front of the car was caved in.

  ‘Bloody hell,’ Eliza spat as she started to shake. She walked up and down the road for a while, her gaze always ending back at the crumpled front end of the car.

  Looking wildly around, she tried to work out what she should do. Wait for someone to come along. That’s what Ashleigh would have done.

  Eliza, though, would take her destiny into her own hands.

  She checked her mobile phone and found she didn’t have any coverage. Who would she call, anyway?

  Did she wait until someone came along or did she walk? Blinman wasn’t that far away, but she was sure she remembered hearing that in this sort of situation you should never leave your car. But did that apply to cars on bitumen roads or only when you were lost in the bush?

  Still breathing fast, she tried to make a decision. There were too many things flooding into her mind.

  Her head snapped up as she heard the sound of an engine. Which way was it coming from?

  The south. The way she’d come from. She hoped it was a local who would know what to do or who to call.

  Eliza heard the car slow as it approached the bend.

  Flicking the hazard lights on, she stood next to her own car, waving madly. ‘Please stop, please stop,’ she said to herself.

  A dirty white ute came around the corner, the tray rattling. The driver gunned the engine and started to speed up, then slammed his foot on the brakes.

  Eliza ran across to the ute and smiled gratefully at the man who got out. She judged him to be in his early forties, the stubble on his face having a hint of grey in it. His hat was stained with grease and dirt.

  ‘Thanks for stopping,’ she said.

  ‘Got yourself in a bit of trouble, have you?’ The man looked her over and Eliza assumed he was working out if she was okay. ‘Are you all right?’

  ‘I’m fine,’ she answered. ‘Are you able to help me?’

  ‘Where you headed?’ he asked as he went over to the front of the car and inspected it.

  ‘Blinman—’ She stopped as he looked up.

  ‘Know someone there, do you?’

  ‘Um, no.’ Eliza realised how strange her plan must sound, so she stayed silent.

  ‘Ah, a tourist, then. This isn’t really the sort of car for touring.’ He reached down and pulled off the fender. Eliza jumped at the noise it made.

  ‘Maybe not,’ she said defensively, ‘but I have just driven halfway across Australia in it and it hasn’t missed a beat.’

  The man turned to face her with a grin, pushing up his hat as he did so. ‘It has now.’ His manner turned serious. ‘Look, there’s some major damage. You’ll be stuck here for a bit. If you were a bloke, I’d say you’ve got your dick caught in a mincer, but since you’re not, I’ll just let you know that you’re up shit creek without a paddle. Going to take a while to fix. If, in fact, it is fixable.’

  Eliza opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. The man continued to look at her and finally she felt a bubble welling in her chest.

  She opened her mouth and giggled until it became a full-blown laugh. The man stared at her bemused, then started to laugh himself.

  ‘Wasn’t expecting you to do that, lady,’ he said when they had both stopped.

  ‘No, me either,’ she admitted. She wanted to say that there were too many different emotions running around inside her at the moment and humour was the last one she had expected to come out. But that would be giving too much away, so instead she held out her hand and said, ‘I’m Eliza.’ The words sounded forced and practised to her ears, and she hoped he didn’t notice.

  ‘I’m Chris.’

  They shook hands.

  ‘I’d better get on the two-way and call the tow truck. Have you got roadside assistance or anything?’

  Eliza started to say yes, but realised she couldn’t. Bloody hell. Dollar signs flashed before her eye
s as she managed to utter ‘No’.

  ‘Ah well, Cauly will work something out with you. Can’t leave you sitting here on the side of the road with strangers passing by, can we?’ Chris walked back over to his ute. ‘Grab what you need and lock it up. It’ll take him a few hours to get out here.’

  Eliza watched as he reached in through the window and pulled the mic off its holder. He called Cauley on the two-way but didn’t get any answer.

  ‘Hmm, hope he hasn’t gone on another bender,’ Chris muttered. ‘Got everything?’ he asked, turning back to her.

  Eliza put her suitcase on the back of the ute and looked over at her car. ‘If I lock it, will everything be okay?’ She had visions of cars left on the side of the road in places she’d travelled through. All of them had been stripped down to nothing.

  Chris paused. ‘I’d grab everything you want to keep. It’ll probably be all right but you can never tell who’ll be passin’. What’re your thoughts? You want to stay at Blinman, or get in the truck with Cauley and go back to Port Augusta? You’re gonna be pretty stuck for a bit without a car and he’ll have to tow it over there to get it fixed.’

  ‘Blinman,’ she replied immediately.

  Chris looked at her strangely. ‘You sure? There’s no mobile reception, wi-fi, or anything fancy there. It’s a town with a main street, a pub, a small shop and that’s about it, if you don’t take into account the town hall and tennis courts. What are you gonna do for all that time?’

  Eliza shrugged. ‘I don’t know. Walk, read, relax.’ Mentally, she added Heal.

  Chris looked at her and she was sure he was trying to work out what she was thinking. He made a swift movement with his arm towards the car. ‘Righto, you’d better grab your gear, then. I’ll give you a hand.’

  Together, they emptied the car and put everything in the tray of the ute.

  ‘Let’s get going,’ Chris said. ‘I’ll drop you off at the store. Reckon Maureen should be able to find you a room out the back.’

  ‘I’d really appreciate that.’ Eliza got in, banged the ute door shut and peered out of the window. Even though she was still feeling shaken, she couldn’t pull her gaze away from the scenery. Now she could look at it and take everything in.