iii

Steve found Kate in her room, where she had changed into a warmer jumper and put on her scarf. It was her favourite one; she had bought it at the Vic Markets with Steve. It was mostly beige, but was flecked with red, brown, orange, pink and green and it was very, very long. “Ready?” he asked from the doorway. “Yep,” she replied and led the way out of the milk shed. “I want to show you something, you’ll love it!” She led the way to the pine trees and the tree house. “Wow!” he said as he squeezed through the entrance, “this is great!” “Told, you that you’d like it,” Kate said happily. Steve sat opposite her, his legs crossed awkwardly. He wasn’t used to sitting on the floor and it didn’t suit his lanky frame. “I wanted to talk to you about us,” he began, “we’ve been friends for a long time Kate, but lately I’ve been thinking that I want something more.” Here Kate cut in, “Steve,” she said gently, “I have to tell you something, Ben…” Steve’s face fell, he didn’t want to believe her, “No! Kate…” “Steve,” she said again, gently, but firmly, “You’re a great friend, you’ve always been there for me, but I haven’t felt about you that way since we were in school. Even if Ben wasn’t on the scene, I still couldn’t be with you like that.” Steve voice was petulant, “Couldn’t or wouldn’t?” he said with a tinge of bitterness. “Steve,” she said imploringly, “don’t be like this, you’ll ruin a great friendship.” Steve was unwilling to let it go and Kate got up to leave. “Kate! Don’t go, please!” he reached out for her hand but she drew it away. “What’s the point? I can’t talk to you if you’re going to act like this,” she said with exasperation evident in her voice. She climbed down the wooden ladder and kicked it savagely at the bottom. “Ouch!” she moaned, she was frustrated and hoped things would work out between her and Steve. She needed him, especially now, but he didn’t know that. She picked up a stone and flung it as far as she could, it ricochet off the fartherest tree in the stand. “Ugh! Men!” she huffed as she made her way back to the old milk shed. She wanted Ben. At least he was sensible.

Ben was looking out for her and met her as she approached the old milk shed. “Oh Ben, that was awful!” she was close to tears. He gathered her into a bear hug, “hey, don’t be upset. He’ll calm down and see sense eventually. You just wait.” Kate sighed and looked at him, she appreciated his good sense. “I sure hope so!” she said, “I need my friends.” Ben squeezed her hand tightly and led the way past the dam and towards the creek. Dusk was rapidly approaching and it would soon be dark. It was already dark beneath the cover of the trees alongside the creek. Ben produced a torch from his jacket pocket and clicked it on. “Were you a Boy Scout?” asked Kate, impressed. “Of course!” They laughed, “always be prepared!” He kissed her on the cheek, “You’re something else, Kate McBride, and I think I’ve fallen for you. Hook, line and sinker!” “What? A fisherman too!” Kate jested and dug him in the ribs. He squirmed to escape and then swung around and captured her in a tender embrace. “No joke, Kate. I love you,” he said seriously. Kate kissed him enthusiastically. She had fallen for him too, “Like a rabbit down a hole!” she laughed when he released her. “No joke, this is serious isn’t it?” she asked as they continued walking slowly along beside the creek. “I think it is,” Ben agreed, “but first things first, we have to work out where you are going to go from here.”

Kate sighed, she didn’t want to think about it, let alone discuss it, and she didn’t want to face her present reality. “I suppose we can stay around here for a few weeks…” “Yes, and then I think you should head west, towards Adelaide,” Ben continued, “we can provide you with a different car, new Id, its all part of the program.” “Stop!” Kate held up her hand, “I don’t want to think about it just now. Can’t we enjoy the moment?” Ben also sighed, “I understand how you must feel Kate, but you can’t avoid it.” Tears started running down her cheeks freely, “I know, Ben, just not yet, please.” She kissed him again, they had reached the log and they sat down. Silence remained between them for a while, Ben finally broke it, “We should get back, dinner will be on soon.” Kate sighed again, “you’re right,” and she got up. They kissed again, “I love you Kate, and you will be all right.” Kate looked him in the eye, “are you sure?” she asked uncertainly. “Sure that I love you or sure that you’ll be all right? He asked. “Both.”

Mrs Jones was calling everyone to dinner when they reached the old milk shed and they made their way up to the house. They left their shoes on the porch and went inside, Kate noticed Steve wasn’t there. “Steve isn’t going to be joining us tonight,” Bess answered Kate’s unspoken question, “He’s feeling a bit poorly.” Kate was relieved. she couldn’t face his bitterness tonight. She sat at the table between Jo and Ben. Jo was sitting on a cushion on top of the yellow pages. Kate laughed because it looked too cute. Mrs Jones appeared from the kitchen with a huge baking tray, “Lasagne tonight kids!” There was a huge green salad and two large rolls of garlic bread already on the table. “Mmmn, smells great,” Ben, commented. “Sure does,” Alex agreed, he hadn’t yet sampled one of Mrs Jones’ dinners. Mr Jones was opening a bottle of red wine, “It’s a local,” he said as he expertly poured it into the wine glasses around the table. They tucked into the delicious food with relish. The country air really stimulated the appetite. There was plenty of casual banter and laughter over dinner, and they were already on to their third bottle of wine. Caroline presented a huge chocolate pudding, “especially for Jo,’ she said as she laid it on the table. “Wow, Caroline, you are a great cook!” Bess exclaimed, impressed. “Oh, its nothing dear,” she said modestly, “Lasagne and chocolate pudding could hardly be called difficult.”

When they had all finished Sarah suggested a game of cards. “It’s called Chook-Chook,” she explained, “You have to collect your allocated chook and a bag of feed. If you can’t get feed then you can collect the four geese and the swimming pool.” Tim continued, “When you have collected all your chooks you yell ‘Chook-Chook!’” Sarah finished, “and if you collect the four geese and the swimming pool then you shout, ‘swimming pool full!’” Everyone agreed to play, though Mr and Mrs Jones excused themselves. “Sounds like fun,” Kate said, “Jo, you help me.” They played a practice round first to get the hang of it and then chooks were allocated and play began in earnest. “Oh, and make sure that you avoid the ‘hen dies’ card, if you have that one when play ends you don’t get any eggs,” Tim warned. A fierce but fun competition ensued. It was a frantic kind of game, but they managed to remain friendly. Bess won in the end, narrowly defeating Tim. She had been allocated the ‘Rhode Island Red’ chooks and they were reliable layers. It had been a happy evening. They all reclined in the armchairs around the lounge and Mr Jones passed around port. The Joneses were great hosts.

It was late by the time they all went to bed. Jo had fallen asleep in Kate’s lap. Ben carried him back to the old milk shed and laid him on the top bunk in the girl’s room. Jo had stirred, but didn’t wake up. Kate removed his shoes and socks, but left him in his clothes, she didn’t want to wake him. Ben kissed Kate gently by way of goodnight. Bess and Sarah were in the bathroom brushing their teeth. “Goodnight Kate,” he said softly, “sleep well.” Kate kissed him again and smiled, “Goodnight Ben, don’t let the bed bugs bite.” He kissed her on the forehead and then left. Kate joined the girls in the bathroom. She could smell Ben’s aftershave on her scarf and she liked it. Sarah had just finished and Bess was flossing her teeth. She cornered Kate once Sarah had left. “So, what’s going on between you and the policeman?” she asked playfully, “and don’t you dare hold out on me!” Kate spat out her toothpaste and smiled, nothing escaped the notice of her best friend. “Ok, so we’re going out,” Kate replied. “Kate! That’s great! He’s a nice guy,” Bess gushed. Kate rarely gave away information like this so easily, “I do believe you are in love, Kate McBride,” Bess jibed. Kate blushed scarlet, “I think I am,” she said, and then added, “I don’t quite know how it happened!” Bess laughed at this, “Oh really Kate! I don’t believe that for a second. I could tell he had eyes for you from the moment I met him!” They both laughed then and finished off their ablutions. Alex and Ben were talking in front of the fire, “night, boys,” Bess said mischievously and kissed Alex goodnight. She winked at Ben conspiratorially, “you devil! Stealing the heart of my best friend,” she chided. Ben blushed and looked at Kate, “what happened to keeping-it-quiet?” She hugged him and kissed him on the cheek, “you can’t get anything past Bess,” she explained. “Ben, you charlatan!” Alex exclaimed and laughed. They all parted and went to bed, as it had been a full day.