Free A Mother for Matilda by Amy Andrews Page B

progress.
    He finally lost sight of her as she veered to the left, and felt his pulse accelerate. Then her shadow sprang to life on the opposite wall of the cavern and he breathed a sigh of relief. She must have flicked on her torch. ‘How much further?’ he called.
    Vic could see Bella fully now and smiled at the shivering mutt. ‘A few metres,’ she said, turning her head back towards the opening so she could be heard above the surf that echoed loudly all around the cave.
    She turned back in time to see the cocker spaniel trying to get up and then yelping as the pain stopped her progress. ‘Stay still, Bella,’ she crooned, putting out her hand frantically to still the dog’s efforts.
    In desperately trying to comfort the injured Bella, Vic’s concentration lapsed for a second. One fatal second. A quick unchecked step towards Bella and she was slipping, teetering, falling. The torch fell out of her hand as she grabbed the rope. She called out but it was too late, her body falling hard against the rocky surface, winding her as she was sucked under the water.
    Lawson felt the tug on the rope and reacted within a split second, yanking hard on the rope. ‘Victoria!’ heroared. He turned to the men behind him. ‘She’s down. Pull! Pull, damn it!’
    The men, also reacting within seconds of Lawson, heaved and hauled while Lawson called out. ‘Victoria! Victoria.’
    Vic felt the tightening around her waist as she grappled with the rock surface, trying to get a hold beneath the water. She felt herself being dragged up and broke the surface quickly, gasping for breath. Tears stung her eyes as pain slid like a stiletto between her ribs with each inhalation.
    The tension on the rope continued to pull her higher, scraping her cheek and her hands against the rough rock as she regained ground. She could hear Lawson yelling her name, hear the note of absolute panic.
    She took a breath to call out to him, but it hurt too much to breathe. To move. To think. Her heart hammered in her chest and that hurt too.
    ‘Victoria!’ Lawson pressed his face to the crevice but he still couldn’t see her. ‘Heave,’ he shouted again.
    Victoria lay like a drowned rat clinging to the rock surface. Slowly the winded sensation eased and she could breathe easier. She pulled herself into a sitting position.
    ‘Lawson,’ she called. It was pretty feeble so she tried again. ‘Lawson!’
    ‘Victoria?’ Lawson angled his head to try and see her. ‘Are you okay?’
    His voice sounded marvellous and she wished he were here beside her. ‘Just a bit…winded,’ she panted.
    ‘Hang on, we’ll haul you back.’
    Victoria looked up at Bella, who whined and watched her with wise eyes. The noise strummed at her heart-strings. She felt the tension on the rope again and she was yanked a foot back the way she’d come on her backside.
    It jarred through her sore ribs and she grabbed the rope. ‘Stop,’ she shouted, wincing at the effort. The rope slackened immediately.
    ‘What’s wrong?’
    ‘Nothing.’ She grabbed the cave wall and pulled herself up, pain shooting a hot arrow up her side. ‘I’m not coming out without this damn dog.’
    ‘Yes, you are,’ he shouted. ‘Even if I have to drag you out on your backside all the way.’
    ‘Don’t think I won’t cut this rope loose, Lawson,’ she threatened.
    Lawson swore under his breath. He believed her. He took a deep breath, his heart rate still not returned to normal from the scare she’d just given him. ‘Hurry.’
    This time she didn’t take her eyes off the rocks. Luckily for her the torch had landed on the ledge further along, illuminating her path.
    She reached Bella within a minute and the dog seemed to know what a tight spot they were in, licking Vic’s hand as she reached out to pat the frightened animal. ‘It’s okay, Bella. I’ve got you now. Annie’s waiting for you.’
    Vic could see blood on her hind legs and the left one looked badly broken. ‘I’m sorry,