Page 18 of The Knitting Club at Wagtail Ridge

Matt notice the pot on top of the wood burner. There was an empty mug on the floor next to an air mattress and some blankets.

‘You really did rough it last night.’

‘I was prepared for a night without furniture, not so much for a night without electricity.’ Bree laughed, a self-deprecating chortle that chased away the last of his guilt. ‘I do hope we can get the power on before the truck arrives. If I can’t give the removalists a hot coffee, it’s highly possible a box or two might get dropped.’

This time they both laughed.

Another car pulled up outside the house—Jake. He came inside and stood looking around him, his forehead creased in a frown. ‘I did some work here, but never on the electrics. I’ll see what I can do. Where’s the fuse box?’

‘In the pantry.’

While Jake took a look, Bree hoisted herself up to sit on the kitchen bench. She swung her legs, looking a bit like a child. A pretty tough child, Matt thought, considering the way she had spent the previous night.

‘I have an idea,’ Jake said. ‘I need to go look at the wiring in the shed and stables.’

Bree slid down from the bench to go with him.

‘It’s fine,’ Jake said, stopping her. ‘I know the way—I built some of those stables. Stay here where it’s warm.’

‘I’ll boil more water for coffee, if you’re happy with what comes out of the tap on the tank.’

‘That’s fine by me.’ He vanished out the back door.

‘So, tell me more about your plans for this place,’ Matt said as Bree tossed more wood on the burner.

She talked about alpacas and wool. About making yarn and knitting groups. About breeding and walking the alpacas.

‘Walking them?’

‘It’s very popular. People pay to come up to the property and walk with alpacas. I’ve already got permission to use the hills behind this place. We take a picnic and make a day of it.’

‘Like trekking the Inca trail or some such?’

‘That’s it. I’m going to start small, initially. Small parties. But maybe the Hunter Valley tourist operators might include us on their schedules.’

‘That sounds like a lot of work.’

‘It is, but it’s my idea of heaven.’

He liked the way her face glowed as she spoke. She seemed to wrap him in her enthusiasm. It was infectious, and he didn’t for one moment doubt she would succeed. He was looking forward to seeing her become part of the small town’s community. He hadn’t felt this optimistic in a long time.

‘When Jake gets this sorted, do you want to come to the pub with me? We can resume our interrupted lunch from the other day.’ The words were out before he’d even had a chance to think.

‘That’s really nice, Matt. But the removalists are coming any minute with all my stuff. I have to be here for that.’

‘Sure. Sure. Of course you do.’ What had he been thinking?

He was saved from further embarrassment by Jake’s return. ‘It should be fine now. The stables are on the same power supply and blew some fuses when it came back on. That must have blown the house circuits as well. Give me a second.’ He disappeared back into the pantry, and before Bree could finish pouring the coffee, the kitchen light came on. A few seconds later, a hum from outside the window suggested the water pump had started.

‘Thank you!’

‘You’re welcome.’ Jake emerged from the pantry. ‘It should all be fine. But I’d run all the taps for a few minutes to clear them. They haven’t been used in a while. And don’t forget to give the hot water some time before you try the shower.’

‘I will.’ Bree handed him the coffee, which he wrapped his fingers around.

He glanced out the window. ‘The lights in the shed and stables work too. I left one on as a test and I’ll turn it off on my way out.’

‘Thanks.’

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