Chapter 1
"I love you."
Silence, followed by the shrill cry of some creature deep within the jungle.
Had the others seen him flinch? His daughter perhaps? It was a split second, but still, it was a split second too long. He could feel their eyes upon him now.
"I find that highly doubtful, seeing as we've only just met."
She stared at him as if trying to work out whether he was joking or not.
"Ben, I love you," she insisted, stepping so close he could see the tears welling in her large dark eyes.
Who the hell was this woman? He mustn't loose his cool in front of the others, but the way she was looking at him caused an uncomfortable feeling to tug at his insides.
"How…" he cleared his throat - an excuse to look away. His daughter had definitely picked up on that one.
"How do you know my name?"
A look of pure misery passed over her face.
"I…I loved you," she whispered, her eyes finally falling to his feet.
Free of her gaze, protocol returned to him.
"Tom, take her to the Swan."
She glanced up at him then, a wounded thing. Eyes full of pain and strangely, acceptance.
"Do what you have to do Ben," she smiled dolefully.