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reward for the bird. He needed to keep the bird’s interest in conversing while I went about my business. Once Huhu started to talk, I quietly left the room and stepped into the hallway just in time to hear the latch click on the back door.
    Our young lady was an escape artist...or so she thought. I stepped back into the living room and nodded at Ari’s questioning look before heading out the kitchen door and along the drive.
    I arrived at the main gate to witness Katie catch her dress on the tātaramoa, or bush lawyer, growing along the side path and up into the tall, spindly manuka . I smiled to myself. The climbing vine would perform my work for me. Its backward-pointing prickles on the stem helped it climb to the bush canopy, but it also snared the unwary and in seconds Katie would be captured. Without my help she would find it all but impossible to set herself free. She wouldn’t be harmed, but she would be trapped.
    She screamed when I spoke, and although my intention hadn’t been to frighten her, it had been to stop her in her tracks.
    “Don’t move, Katie. You’re caught in the tātaramoa plant. Stay still, and you won’t be scratched.”
    “What sort of country is this that has plants that capture people?”
    Her voice sounded as if it were attempting to be brave but the small catch, the high pitch at the end of her question, told me of her fear.
    “It is a country where you need to pay heed to the people who have the experience of living here. How many times do Ari and I need to explain the dangers of this place before you’ll believe us?”
    I wasn’t surprised she didn’t answer my question because trusting us was still something she was thinking through. She’d finally stilled, so I walked towards her. “Come now.” I gentled my voice. “Stay quiet, and I’ll untangle you.”
    I wished I’d brought a lamp with me although that would have given me away. But now, some light or a bush knife would have been useful as I attempted to free her.
    “You must remain very still. Every time you move, new barbs will catch hold of your clothing and hair.”
    I worked quickly to disentangle her, enjoying many opportunities to touch her and comfort her. I wished for Ari to hear my silent plea for light, but he was probably busy training Huhu in the art of parlour conversation. When it came to birds and animals, he was easily distracted.
    All the while, Katie remained quiet. I wasn’t sure if she was busy planning her escape once I’d freed her from the vine, or if she was thinking up an excuse for her behaviour. Once she learned what was coming to her, I was sure escape would appear to be a sensible idea.
    I had her clothing completely free, and now there remained only the tendrils of the creeper to extract from her hair. I was very close to her, the heat from her body exciting me in so many ways. “No moving, now,” I whispered close to her ear, “this will be the most difficult part.”
    She made a small cry as I snagged her hair, and I took the opportunity to hold her to my chest, to comfort and still her as I continued. She was like a wild animal in my arms, frozen in fear but ready to bolt the moment she was released from the plant. I slid my hand down to capture her wrist as I freed the last snare of barbs from her hair.
    I kept her tight against me, wanting her to feel my strength so that she might capitulate to her circumstances. “We’re returning to the house now, Katie, and you will be punished for your foolish behaviour.”
    “Surely I have been punished already?”
    “It hasn’t even begun. You are under our protection, and with that protection comes rules. There are always consequences, Katie, and you’re about to learn the ways of our house. Say no more; you will only make your situation worse.”
    “I—”
    “Katie!”
    “Please, you must let me go. I don’t need your protection, and I don’t want to be any trouble to you. I will return to Auckland.”
    “Auckland? Do tell me,