The whistle blew hoarsely as the ship reached Port Phillip Bay. The passengers admired the silhouette of Melbourne's magnificent buildings, and Celia was among the first ones to walk down the bridge and set foot on a new and yet unexplored land to her. The port was loud with the voice of foreigners and fishermen. The porters were busy with suitcases of all sorts as Celia looked at the scenery in front of her eyes. People who had arrived aboard the huge cruise ship left in all directions to reunite with their relatives and friends. A moment of joy filled her heart as she saw all the cheerful people and a familiar face in the crowd.
"Phryne!" she exclaimed as she threw her arms around the woman dressed in navy blue to fit the occasion.
"Celia, I'm so glad you're here!" Phryne replied as she greeted her with a smile. "I trust you had a pleasant journey."
"All went well, although I can't deny it has been my longest cruise so far." Celia nodded.
A porter arrived to put the young woman's luggage in the luxurious Hispano-Suiza Phryne had owned.
"Brace yourself. The adventure just begins." Phryne joked as the young woman got in the car to leave the port for the centre of the city. Celia was sure she was ahead of the greatest weeks of her summer on the side of the lady detective. She had been reading her letters and telegrams about her recent investigations back aboard the vessel and couldn't wait to become a part of such a fascinating lifestyle.
The Suiza passed Albert Park Lake and the Royal Botanic Garden. Celia enjoyed the sightseeing from the passenger side and she was probably the first person in written history who didn't mind Phryne's bold pace. Every colourful shop window was different from the ones Celia got used to in London. Melbourne was a deep breath of fresh air after the fog and empty streets.
"Forgive me, but we must pop into the Women's Hospital before we get back home. I need to talk to one of the doctors." Phryne broke the monotonous buzzing of the automobile.
"Are you working on a new case?" Celia asked.
"Exactly. A young aristocrat, Paula Baker, was giving her family's annual charity ball when later during the evening she was found unconscious in the greenhouse of their mansion. Perhaps she has been drinking too much, but I doubt this option. To me it rather seems like she has been poisoned." Phryne was deep in thought whenever the topic of her investigations came up, and Celia was an enthusiastic audience.
"Knowing she is the heiress of the Baker family your theory seems to be more than probable." Celia replied.
"You are quite familiar with Melbourne's upper class, aren't you?" Phryne gave an impressed nod of the head.
"A month at sea was enough to learn some facts about the city." Celia chuckled.
The engine stopped in front of the Hospital for Women and Celia looked up at the huge, pale building as she got out of the Suiza.
She followed Phryne and on their way to the first floor she could observe a tiny bit of the hospital's life. Nurses rushed from door to door and the sound of infants crying could be heard from the wards. To their luck Phryne noticed the doctor she had been looking for.
"Mac, have you got any news about our heiress?" she asked as the ginger woman stopped in her tracks with a pile of documents in her hands.
"It's very nice to see you too, Phryne. Unfortunately, there isn't anything promising I could say. She has been poisoned with arsenic and her treatment is going to be complicated," she started with a deep sigh. "We would like to use a method that wouldn't produce too many side effects." her tone was thoughtful and professional.
Phryne was pleased with the part that proved her theory right. Miss Baker had been poisoned and the finding would raise new questions regarding the case.
"Have you considered using potassium?" Celia asked suddenly as she heard the physician's words.
Doctor Macmillan had been so busy with her papers and Phryne's questions that the presence of the young women escaped her attention.
It was the second time Celia impressed Phryne.
"Mac, allow me to introduce you Celia Houghton, the daughter of my godparents." Phryne began, turning to the doctor before she faced Celia again. "Celia, this is doctor Elizabeth Macmillan, a true friend in need."
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Mac offered her hand for a handshake.
"Nice to meet you too. Phryne has told me about a marvellous friend in her letters." Celia smiled as she shook hands with the older woman.
"She hasn't told me about relatives with a medical past, however." Mac returned the smile.
"I'm merely interested in the field." Celia admitted.
Phryne and the doctor had a short talk about asking Miss Baker of her blackout once she regained her full consciousness. Mac agreed to do as much as she could to help the investigation move forward. The ginger said goodbye and Phryne drew Celia home.
The lady detective's residence was an extraordinary sight of Park Street. The bright red fence matched the cream walls of the two-storey mansion. Celia adored the house and refused to let Mr. Butler carry all her luggage upstairs into the guest bedroom.
She threw herself on the comfortable bed after dropping her heavy weight on the floor and closed her eyes as the scent of fresh linen filled her nose. She arrived and she was glad to rest her tired limbs for a brief moment. Her breathing from carrying her luggage slowly returned to normal as she daydreamed about spending the rest of her afternoon right where she was in the very same position.
Phryne appeared at the door as she opened her eyes.
"Don't settle. I have a surprise dinner for you to celebrate your arrival." she said softly as she sat on the edge of the bed.
"Phryne dear, is it necessary? Staying indoors would be just as fine to me." Celia whimpered.
"You must see Melbourne at night! Come on, it'll be fun!" Phryne insisted as she bent down to open one of Celia's suitcases and took out a deep V-cut dress embroidered with precious golden strings. She let the young one have a quick nap before she got ready for the night. Celia picked a burgundy flapper dress witch matching mary janes. Her brunette hair was adorned with a headpiece that glistened under the light of the chandeliers.
Phryne was covered in fur that hid her snow white dress underneath. Her jet black hair was perfectly in contrast with her fur stole – she was a magnificent sight.
Dot had called a taxi for the ladies and Celia couldn't thank her enough for unpacking her wardrobe of luggage.
The place Phryne had chosen was a fine Italian restaurant with gentlemen from the most romantic Verona.
"We should dance." she said while they enjoyed their glasses of champagne.
"Love avoids me like the plague…" Celia replied as she stuck her fork into her plate of gnocchi to draw a mouthful of small noodles to her lips.
"We should dance anyway." Phryne's temper didn't let Celia sit at one place and soon the ladies were in the arms of two Romeos on the dancefloor.
The first day in Melbourne was definitely a memorable one for Celia. It was two o'clock at night when they got home, and after changing into a comfortable, silk nightgown Celia drifted off to sleep in a sea of brocade pillows.