Page 14 of Outback Secrets

Eventually, they made it up to the landing and past all the closed doors as they headed to the vacant guest room next door to his apartment. Still semi-supporting Henri, he dug in his pocket for his master key and then manoeuvred the door open.

‘Do you want to use the bathroom while I find you something to eat?’

She nodded, her eyes drooping again, but when he checked the shared bathrooms, they were both occupied. Dammit.

‘Look, why don’t you use mine quickly?’

‘Thanks, Liam, you’re shuch a schweetheart.’

With Sheila at their heels, he led her into his apartment and showed her into the bathroom. ‘There’s a fresh towel in the cupboard if you want and a new toothbrush under the sink. Anything else I can get you?’

‘Can’t brush my teeth till I’ve had my shococlate,’ she said.

Suppressing a laugh, he turned to leave. ‘I’ll see what I can find.’

He grabbed a bottle of water, painkillers and a Mars Bar from his midnight snack stash, then waited patiently outside the door.

After about ten minutes, he tapped his foot, starting to feel a little anxious.

‘Henrietta?’ he called, tentatively pushing the door open and stepping into his bathroom to find it empty and the other door, leading into his bedroom, open. He found her sprawled across his bed, snoring peacefully. ‘Shit.’

Guess he’d been relegated to the couch for the night.

Covering Henrietta with a light sheet, he looked at Sheila, who’d already taken her usual position at the foot of the bed. ‘Keep an eye on her for me, okay?’

And then, pulling the door almost shut, leaving just enough room for the dog to get out if needed, he headed out to spend what he already knew would be a restless night in the lounge room.