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‘Excuse me a moment,’ Andrew said. ‘We might as well introduce you both at the same time.’

Sandra stood to the side of the group who were chatting while Andrew walked over to Graysen. They shook hands, and she swallowed as they walked back over to her.

***

Graysen paused before they reached the group near the window. ‘Excuse me, Andrew, do you mind if I have a quick word with Sandra before we start?’

‘Not a problem, Graysen. I’ll get you a drink. What would you like?’

‘A light beer would be fine, thank you.’

Graysen walked over to Sandra—her back was turned to him. He touched her elbow gently and she looked around at him, her expression bland.

‘Sandra,’ he said quietly. ‘I’d like to apologise for my behaviour in the elevator. It was extremely rude of me, and you did nothing to deserve it. I’m very sorry.’

She stood back and regarded him for a long time. So long, Graysen began to feel uncomfortable. Shit, he’d blown it, and upset a lovely woman who hadn’t deserved one word of what had spewed from his insecurities. As they looked at each other, the conversation of the group beside them came to a sudden stop.

‘Oh, fun. Look who’s here,’ said a familiar voice. ‘Mr Personality himself.’

Sandra looked from him to the speaker and then back again. ‘We’ll talk later, but yes, I accept your apology,’ she said. ‘Thank you.’

Andrew stepped forward and it was easy to see his smile was forced. The next twelve days would prove to be very interesting unless the dynamics of this group were settled. Graysen knew he could take the blame for most of it.

Shit, why did I ever decide on a group tour? He should have walked the bloody trail himself.

But he knew he was getting soft. The comfort of an eco-tent that someone else had set up, rather than a swag he would have had to carry, and a hot shower at the end of the day, not to mention a three-course meal had enticed him. Now he had to make up for the angst he’d caused.

‘Sounds like a few of you are already acquainted, folks, but we’ll do the whole introduction spiel,’ Andrew said.

Jodie came back with a tray of drinks and when everyone had a drink in hand, she nodded at Andrew. ‘While you do the intro, mate, I’ll get the hot canapes.’

Andrew ushered them all into a circle. Graysen avoided looking at Cecily, but he suspected he deserved everything she gave. That didn’t bother him, but he couldn’t believe how rude he’d been to Sandra. It had just come out without him thinking before he spoke. He’d regretted it as soon as she’d walked out of the lift. He’d gone for a walk around the lawn outside to calm down.

You have to stop being such a selfish and cranky shit. Marion’s voice filled his head.

‘Okay, guys, we’re all about team work on our trek, and you’re about to meet the rest of your team. I’ll start on my left.’

Graysen swallowed his pride. ‘Before we get going with the formal introductions, I’d like to apologise to Cecily and Paul for my rude behaviour in Sydney. It’s no excuse but I’d just come off a twenty-hour flight after being medi-vacced out of Nepal. I was rude to you when you were simply trying to make conversation, I’m sorry.’

‘Sorry to hear you were crook, Graysen. You’re recovered now?’ Paul said glancing at Cecily. Her arms were folded and he guessed he’d done his dash there.

‘I am.’ He forced a rueful smile; he had to get on with these people for the next twelve days. ‘My mood has recovered too, I’m sure you’ll be pleased to hear.’

Sandra was watching him and knew his apology needed more work.

‘Okay, we’ve got a lot to get through tonight,’ Andrew said. ‘After we get to know each other and have some dinner, we’re going to run through the itinerary, and the safety briefing. That way, we can start the trek as soon as we go to the drop off point tomorrow.’ Andrew turned to the couple on the left. ‘First off, this is Cecily and Paul from London.’

Graysen kept his expression bland as Cecily dropped a curtsy.

‘Then we have Miska and Zed, also from the UK. Welcome, guys.’ The young couple gave a wave and Zed smiled.

‘Next to our UK visitors we have Clive and Jenny from Sydney, and then Sandra Porter, almost a local from Darwin.’

‘Hi, Sandy, is it okay if we call you that?’ The other woman standing alone raised a languid hand.

Sandra smiled. ‘That’s fine. It’s a long time since I was called Sandy. Takes me right back.’

‘Sandy, it is! Please don’t introduce me as Margaret, Andrew. I’m Maggie, and I’m from Sydney.’ Her flaming red hair and the rings on each finger caught the light. She certainly didn’t look the type to be heading off on a two-hundred-kilometre trek.