A Twist of Fate

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A Twist of Fate

by

Linda Lee Rathbun

Copyright Linda Lee Rathbun, 2012

2nd Edition 2021

All rights reserved

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Published by Natural Wanders at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Statement:

This eBook is licensed for your enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you are reading this eBook and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, to events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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For Lee, who would have loved this.

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Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Extra Material

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Chapter One

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When Sabrina finally woke from her afternoon nap, she felt as though there was a conference of furious delegates screaming at each other inside her head. She had taken the cold tablets the doctor had given her, and though her sinuses were clear enough to breathe through now, she still felt ghastly. The pattern of pink tulips splashed across her bedspread swam together before her eyes, and when she couldn’t focus on these, she turned her gaze to the matching curtains that were drawn against the afternoon sunlight straining to break through the windows.

Getting up and steadying herself on the brass bed frame, Sabrina launched herself forward across the floor to the bathroom, groaning at the appalling woman who greeted her in the mirror. Her nose was as red as a flashing police light, her grey eyes had bruised crescents suspended beneath them, her creamy skin was stained with pink blotches, and her long, fine blonde hair hung from her head like a limp mop. Sabrina scowled at the antibiotic she was about the swallow, bracing herself for the pain her swollen glands were so eager to inflict on her.

Not the phone, Sabrina moaned to herself as she heard it screaming from the bedside. Never mind, the answering machine would get it. Keith’s jovial, ever-gentle voice asked if she was all right, and not wanting to miss his call, Sabrina dragged herself over to the side of the bed and interrupted his message.

It’s all right, Keith, I’m here, she croaked into the phone, her throat burning with the words.

Sabrina...I didn’t wake you, did I? Keith asked, concern tingeing his voice.

No, I’m up and feeling rather ashamed of myself for wasting the whole day in bed. I can’t even be bothered reading, Sabrina added, looking down at the novel her roommate had lent her.

How are you feeling? Keith asked.

Not too bad, Sabrina lied.

Well, I don’t want you back at work until you’re better, Keith ordered, using that firm psychiatrist’s tone of voice that meant he didn’t want any arguments.

Sabrina laughed softly, wincing at the pain as she swallowed. All right, she agreed quickly. I’ll take the next few days off; that will give me the weekend to rest as well, and I’m sure I’ll be fine by Monday.

Good, I’ll let Susan know so she can cancel your appointments. Keith seemed to hesitate. I have to go, but do you have a moment? he asked.

Of course. As sick as she felt, Sabrina missed being at work. She liked the hustle and bustle of being a part of the team of psychologists at Keith’s clinic. What’s new, she asked, weakly thumping a few pillows into place and falling gratefully back in her bed.

We had a meeting this morning to assign new cases; I have a little patient for you; I think you’ll find her very interesting.

Keith had a gift for matching his new referrals to just the right therapist on his team, and Sabrina had grown to trust his judgment implicitly.

What’s her background? Sabrina asked, raising a hand to massage the temple where that angry mob of people in her head had decided to start pounding.

Well, I don’t have time to go into it now; it’s all in the file, Keith said.

Sabrina could hear his line beeping in the background, telling her he had another call.

Suffice it to say she’s the sort of child you deal with brilliantly. Her father wants us to get started as soon as we can, so we’ll schedule her for next week when you are back.

Fine, Sabrina said, suddenly glad Keith had to get off the phone. When she spoke, her words were like flames licking down her throat. Talking meant she had to swallow more often, and by now, her glands felt like two hot coals boxing with each other. I’ll see the file on Monday.

Keith told her to get better and said the clinic would not disturb her again unless it was urgent. Sabrina hung up and reset the answering machine. She didn’t want to talk to anyone again until this raging fire went out in her throat.

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By Monday morning, Sabrina felt like a new woman. She was always amazed at how resilient the human body was, and the human spirit too. Looking out her bedroom window to check on Melbourne’s notoriously changeable weather, Sabrina decided it looked like a pleasant summer’s day and picked out a swirling, flower-printed white dress to wear. Then, wanting to compensate for a week of looking so hideous, Sabrina took a bit of extra time with her makeup. Pale blue eyeliner emphasized her silver-grey eyes, and a complexion drained by a week indoors was enhanced with a touch of rouge brushed over her cheekbones. Finally, after outlining the slender, bow-shaped mouth she did not realize was maddeningly sensual, Sabrina filled in her lips with a soft pink colour.

Sabrina made a face at herself in the mirror. She only needed to lose a few pounds to turn her typically delicate features into a face altogether too thin and sharp for her liking, but she knew she would quickly put the weight back on now that she was feeling so much better. She tossed her long, damp hair over her head to blow-dry it, brushing the pale, flyaway strands to add some volume to them. Sabrina’s hair was as fine and soft as a baby’s, except that she had a great deal more of it. Parting her hair on the side and clipping it back from her face, she felt reasonably pleased with the result.

Everyone always told Sabrina how pretty she was, and though she didn’t think about it one way or the other, she did feel it was important to try to look her best. She clasped a short strand of delicate pearls around her throat, a necklace she had worn every single day for over six years since her father had given it to her on her twenty-first birthday. There. That was about as good as it got for someone just recovering from the flu.

Sabrina knocked on her roommate’s door, but she assumed that Libby had already left for work since there was no answer. Downstairs in the kitchen, Sabrina started some breakfast, her stomach loudly letting her know that her appetite was back. Through the floor to ceiling glass panels, she could see Zed having a nap in the sun out in the back garden. At twelve years of age, the golden Labrador was entitled to sleep as much as he pleased, Sabrina thought with a fond smile on her lips. She glanced at her watch; her first patient of the day would be there in the next hour. While she waited for the kettle to boil to fill the coffee plunger, Sabrina walked down the hallway to make sure everything was in order in the play therapy room.

Sabrina had grown up in this house, and this had been her father’s study. He was gone now, as were all his books and furniture. Since her mother and brother had moved out, and only Sabrina and her sister and roommate lived in the house, the room had been left empty. Sabrina’s long-term goal was to go into private practice for herself, she had always wanted to work from home, and she knew this room would be ideal as a play therapy area for her young patients. Her plan had been hurried along by a fire where she worked. The cottage at the back of the clinic where most play therapy sessions took place had burned to the ground, leaving Keith without an area for children. He had leapt at Sabrina’s suggestion that they use her spare room while the cottage was rebuilt; after all, she only lived two blocks away.

Keith had taken care of all the permit details and then hired a carpenter to fix the old study. It was painted white now, the wooden floor had been re-polished, and there were plenty of shelves along the wall for storage. Sabrina had had a wonderful time shopping for books, dolls, toys, and games to furnish it. Of course, these things would all go back to the clinic eventually, but in the meantime, Sabrina saw this as the perfect opportunity to find out what it would be like to run a practice of her own at home.

The phone rang just as the kettle began its slow train whistle to let Sabrina know it was boiling. It was Susan from the clinic.

Sabrina, the receptionist said in her calm, efficient voice after asking Sabrina how she was, your regular Monday morning appointment was cancelled. Keith mentioned he told you about a new case, Millie...gosh, Keith’s scribble is so bad I can’t read her last name...Curtis something. Her father wanted you to start seeing her right away and was willing to bring her in on short notice. So, I rang their house and the nanny said they could come and see you this morning. Is that all right? Susan asked, her voice lifting with the question.

Of course, Sabrina said, cradling the phone between her ear and shoulder to free a hand so she could pour the boiling water into the glass coffee plunger. I haven’t seen the file though; I’ll have to dash around to pick it up.

I can’t find the file, Susan said. You know how Keith is. He claims he left it on his desk, but it isn’t there. God knows where he put it; it could be anywhere in the building. I’ll have a look, and if I find it, I’ll bring it around myself. I would put you through to Keith to chat about Millie, but he won’t be in until this afternoon. Do you think you can manage without the file?

Sabrina slipped a wayward strand of hair behind her ear and bit her lower lip to help her think. Well, she had always claimed it would be nice to see a new patient without knowing anything about them, without reading another person’s impression of the child. Here was her chance. The first session was only an icebreaker; the file would turn up soon enough and she could read it then.

Don’t worry about it, Susan; I can manage.

They said goodbye, and Sabrina turned her attention to her coffee. She scalded some milk in a small pot and poured it over the steaming mug of aromatic brew. Yum. It tasted more delicious for not having had any last week.

Sabrina leaned against the counter, looking around the room that had been so much a part of her childhood. It looked like a country farm kitchen, and Sabrina had spent many happy hours in here with her mother, Fiona. Her parents had built an extension off the kitchen to give them a larger dining area. They had always eaten in here, even for dinner parties. That was Fiona’s style: casual, welcoming and comfortable. Everyone always enjoyed coming to this house. Sabrina loved it here; she couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Fiona had given the home to Sabrina and her sister when she had remarried last year.

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When the front doorbell rang an hour later, Sabrina was ready to greet her new patient. She opened the door to find a girl of about five, a frail little waif with long, brown curls. In one hand, she clutched a well-worn stuffed panda bear to her chest; in the other, she clasped the hand of a pretty, young woman who certainly didn’t look old enough to be the child’s mother. Anxious brown eyes filled with worry gazed up at Sabrina, and she felt an arrow of pity pierce her heart. Without knowing a thing about the child, Sabrina realized she would need a great deal of gentle patience and understanding.

This is Millie, the young woman said, placing her hand on the child’s head. I’m Cathy, the nanny.

Sabrina smiled at the nanny, nodding her head as she dropped down on her knees so she could be at the little girl’s level.

Hello, Millie, she said in a soft, soothing voice. I’m Sabrina. She reached across and gently touched the stuffed panda bear. And who is this?

Pandy, Millie said with great hesitation in her tiny voice.

Sabrina gave Pandy a light pat on the head. Oh dear, I think Pandy is looking a bit hungry and thirsty this morning. I think we should take him inside, make him a cup of tea, and give him a nice biscuit. Sabrina had a way of speaking to children that made them feel warm and safe; she never failed to win them over instantly.

The enormous brown eyes, far more anxious than they had any right to be, stared back at Sabrina, and slowly the little girl nodded her head in agreement.

Fine, Sabrina said, her mouth easing into a sweet smile.

A flash of sunlight reflecting off the dazzling cobalt blue colour of a sedan parked in the driveway caught Sabrina’s eye, and she could see someone sitting in the driver’s seat. It was a man, and he was watching her with careful attention. His elbow was propped up on the frame of the open window; his chin rested on his thumb, and he was brushing his index finger thoughtfully along his lips. A wave of chestnut brown hair was swept back from his face, and his brown eyes told Sabrina that he must be Millie’s father. They continued to gaze at her with a feverish intensity from beneath a strong brow. She recognized the look straight away: the despair, the hope, the fear, and the helplessness of a parent wild with worry over their child.

Sabrina’s heartbeat lifted slightly under the man’s unflinching examination, but she returned her attention to the child waiting in front of her. Sabrina stood up, suddenly remembering she hadn’t put on a slip as she felt the thin material of her dress clinging and then billowing about her long legs in the gentle summer breeze. Momentarily flustered, Sabrina touched one of the pearls at her throat. She explained to the nanny that it was best to leave for an hour or so; there were several coffee houses on Toorak Road and a few blocks over on Chapel Street. Taking Millie’s hand in hers, Sabrina turned to the door, casting one last look over her shoulder. The man in the car still sat there, analyzing her with burning eyes. Sabrina could see his brow lift as he caught