"How are you going, Libby?" John asked.
"Fine," Libby called. She wasn't going to look down at all. If she kept her gaze in front of her and focused on the horizon, she could pretend she wasn't high above the ground.
"Are we ready to keep moving?" John asked the rest of the group. With shouts of agreement, they all followed him.
It was a long climb. John kept up the commentary, supplying interesting facts about the bridge and pointing out highlights along the way. Libby's stomach finally began to calm and her grip on the rails wasn't as tight.
As they walked along one of the many catwalks, Kate suddenly stopped in front of her and pointed to something below. Without thinking, Libby followed Kate's finger and felt the bottom drop out of her stomach. Her eyes brushed past the kookaburra Kate was pointing at and continued down, down to where the cars were rushing along below.
Her legs turned to jelly, and as they buckled under her, she reached for the railings. Before she hit the catwalk, strong arms seized her from behind and supported her weight. Libby frantically tried to get her legs to function but they wouldn't. Her eyes were glued on the tiny cars below her.
Adrian lowered her to the ground. "Libby, relax. Look at me." His breath was on her neck and she could just hear him over the roar of her fear, but she couldn't obey him.
"Look at me, Libby." He took her chin in his hand and slowly turned her head so she was gazing into his dark brown eyes. "Focus on me. It's all right. You're safe here. You're still connected to the guide rail. Take a deep breath for me."
Libby stared at him as if he were a lifeline. She panted – quick, painful breaths of air.
"Slow breaths, Libby."
She took a shuddering breath in, trying to mimic the deep breath Adrian took.
"Breathe out."
The air exploded out of her.
"Take another slow breath in."
Slowly but surely Libby matched her breathing to Adrian's. It wasn't until she had it under control that she realized he was rubbing her arms, slowly but rhythmically, in time with her breaths. She blinked.
"Do you think you can stand up?" Adrian asked.
Libby focused on her legs. They were weak but she had to stand. Holding on to Adrian's shoulders, she got to her feet, wobbling for a second before her muscles took hold and supported her. His arms surrounded her, both comfort and protection. She was safe.
"Keep your eyes on the metal girders we're following," Adrian said, and pointed.
Libby turned slowly, following his directions, and realized everyone was staring at her. Kate had clasped George's hand and looked worried, but George's expression was more contemplative.
"Sorry," she mumbled.
"Nothing to be sorry about," John said. "It happens to a lot of people. Do you think you can continue?"
Kate was still watching her with wide eyes, her concern obvious. Libby forced a smile. "Yes."
Adrian's hand was resting on her waist, warm and reassuring, and she focused on it. If he faced his fear of the dark every single night at his concerts, she could do this. With a renewed sense of determination she gave Kate the thumbs up and continued the climb.
It took an hour to reach the top of the bridge. Libby found if she kept her eyes moving around it was much easier to cope. She could see all the way to the Blue Mountains in the west. The harbor itself was immense, spreading out through Sydney and beyond. Libby hadn't realized it was so big. Boats of various types were out on the water making the most of the beautiful winter's day.
"Look, Uncle Ade. It's a whale!" Kate pointed and jumped up and down with excitement.
Libby put a hand out to stop Kate jumping, fear gripping her again, and then she looked where Kate was pointing out on the harbor.
Sure enough, there were a couple of whales breaching. Several big whale-watching boats were close by, each about 100 yards from the animals. From up on high, Libby saw the dark shapes under the water and the splash they made when they breached.
"Wow. Can we go whale watching, Uncle Ade?" Kate turned to look at her uncle.
"I'll see if we can get a spot on one of the cruises," he said.
Below them a mother and her calf frolicked in the water. Libby was aware of Adrian right there behind her, his comforting presence close enough so that if she leaned back she would touch his chest. As if knowing her thoughts, he pulled her closer and she allowed herself to nestle next to him. Today she wasn't going to ask any questions about their relationship. Today she was just going to enjoy.
"Over here, folks," John called and snapped a photo when they turned. He motioned to Kate and George to join them and took a few more photos.
"Okay, guys, it's time to start the journey back," he said.
Reluctantly they followed him across the bridge to the other side for their descent.
By the time they reached the bottom, Libby's calves were aching. She stepped inside the check-in point and a wave of giddiness flooded her. She'd done it. She'd climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge and beaten her fear. She grinned.
"We've got to buy the photos, Uncle Ade," Kate said, striding over to the counter. Libby agreed. She wanted proof she'd done the climb. She was glad George was paying her weekly so she could now afford the pictures.
When they came out Libby stared at the image of herself and Adrian. They looked cozy together, like a couple. She wanted a copy, so while Adrian and Kate were discussing which photos they would buy, she ordered a group shot and the one of her and Adrian. It was silly, but when the tour was over she wanted something to help her remember it, to remind her it had really happened.
When the photos had been printed, they wandered down to Circular Quay and on to the Sydney Opera House.
"Look, Uncle Ade, there's a whale-watching boat coming back in." Kate pointed to the large vessel slowly coming into a jetty.
"Let's go down and see what tours they have," Adrian said, and they all walked along to where the boat docked and waited for the passengers to disembark.
"Wait here and I'll go and ask," George said, leaving Adrian, Kate and Libby on the main dock while he questioned the crew about departure times.
As they waited, Libby scanned the area. The quay was bustling, and there were tourists everywhere, taking photos. Some distance away Libby noticed a blonde woman pointing her camera at them. Libby checked behind to see what she was taking a picture of, but there was nothing there. When she turned back, the woman was gone.
Libby frowned. The woman had seemed familiar. Before Libby could place her, Adrian touched her hand and said, "How are you feeling?"
"I'm all right now."
"I'm sorry, Libby," Kate said, her eyes full of concern.
"It wasn't your fault," Libby said, squeezing Kate's hand. "I was unprepared. I'm glad your uncle has quick reflexes."
Kate and Adrian both grinned.
George returned. "They've got a cruise starting in fifteen minutes and there are places left. Are you up for it?" he asked Libby.
"Sure." She'd given herself this day and she was going to make the most of it.
"Adrian?"
"Please, Uncle Ade. Can we go now?" Kate said.
"All right."
"I'll book." George headed over to the booking office.
"We should get something to eat," Libby said. She'd spotted a takeaway shop nearby.
"Good idea," Adrian said. "I'll get George his usual."
They hurried over, bought the food and got back as the boat was beginning to board. They joined the line and went into one of the cabins below deck, so they could eat while the rest of the passengers were boarding.
Kate scoffed her food with the gusto of someone who had a better place to be. "Can I go up on deck now?" she asked when she'd finished.
"You need to wait until one of us has finished," Adrian told her.
She pouted and checked how much everyone else had to eat. She zeroed in on Libby, who hadn't ordered as much as the men.
Libby laughed and finished off her burger.
"Come on, Libby." Kate grabbed her hand.
"Where are your manners, kiddo?" Adrian asked. "Libby might not be finished."
Kate looked at the empty wrappers in front of Libby, gave her uncle a look that said duh and asked Libby, "Will you come out on the deck with me, please?"
"Sure." Libby retrieved her bag from the floor and stood up. "Excuse us, gentlemen."
There were three decks, and of course Kate had to go to the top one. The boat pulled away from the dock as Libby followed Kate, weaving around the other passengers before climbing the steps to the top. Kate raced to the rail and looked out toward the Harbour Bridge, where they'd seen the whale. She put a foot on the lower rail to climb up and Libby put a hand on her arm.