Page 19 of The Knitting Club at Wagtail Ridge

Jake looked at his watch, and took a long drink from his mug. ‘I’d better run. Thanks for the coffee.’

‘How much do I owe you?’ Bree asked.

Jake shook his head. ‘Nothing. Consider it a welcome gift.’

‘Are you sure? That’s good of you.’

‘Welcome to Wagtail Ridge.’ Jake held the coffee cup up as if making a toast, then drank the rest of the contents.

Bree took the empty mug. ‘Before you go, there’s a bit of work needed around here. Once I’ve had a chance to look around and make a list, can I call you? Will you have time?’

‘I’ll find time. I had a bit of a look while I was down there. It wouldn’t take much work to get everything ready for your animals.’

‘Thanks.’

‘I’ll follow you out,’ Matt said.

The three of them stepped onto the veranda just as a removalist’s truck appeared in the drive.

‘We’d best move our cars so he can get close to the house,’ Jake said. ‘If there’s anything else, don’t hesitate to give me a ring.’

Bree nodded. ‘I won’t. And thanks again for everything. You too, Matt.’

For a moment, he thought she would hug him again like she had yesterday in his office, but she didn’t. He was disappointed when she turned her attention towards the van. That hug had been nice.

He got in his car and followed Jake down the driveway.

***

When Bree set her mind to getting a job done, it got done. That rule applied as much to setting up her new home as it had to her legal cases. The contents of a two-bedroom city flat didn’t fill a three-bedroom country house, but it was all she needed right now. The kitchen was well stocked with everything from a dustpan to an expensive coffee maker; some things she was not prepared to give up. The second biggest bedroom held her bed and her clothes. The big built-in wardrobe was half empty. Bree’s extensive collection of what she called her lawyer suits along with the much hated high-heeled shoes were carefully tucked away in the spare bedroom. She hoped never to wear them again, but she couldn’t simply throw them away. That would be a shocking waste. They could hang in the spare bedroom until she decided what to do with them. She shut the wardrobe door, ignoring the tiny voice in her head telling her that if this venture failed, she would need those clothes to resume her old life.

By late afternoon, she had set up her living and dining spaces. Not all her books were unpacked yet, and the kitchen needed more work, but tonight was going to be a far more comfortable night than the previous. Or it would be, if she had something to eat. Bree glanced at her watch. It was almost five o’clock. This wasn’t Sydney and she didn’t know what time the town’s only grocery store closed, and she had eaten most of the supplies she’d brought from Sydney.

The store was still open when she arrived. Bree wasn’t the only customer—she caught a glimpse of neon orange hair moving along one of the aisles. The shop was pretty small. Bree guessed she’d be talking to the woman from the pub encounter again before this visit was done.

It didn’t take long to fill a basket with essentials for the next few days. All except one. She was still staring at the coffee selection when the orange hair materialised in her peripheral vision.

‘Hello, Miss Johnston. You must remember me. I’m Val Colvin, from the post office. We met at the pub.’

‘Yes, of course.’

‘Welcome to our little town. I’ve already added you to our mailman’s route, unless you want to order a post box. It doesn’t matter. Whenever you’re ready, just pop by. If you have time, we could have a cup of tea and a chat. I’m sure you’re eager to hear all about the Ridge. And about poor Matt and Vicki. I’m sure everyone is looking forward to meeting you, and hearing all about the alpacas. When do they arrive? Perhaps you could talk to the schoolteachers. I’m sure the kids would love a visit.’

Bree had every intention of talking to the school about letting the kids meet her alpacas, but that wasn’t what bothered her. ‘How did you know I was planning to have alpacas?’

‘Aw. Sweet Vicki Ambrose has been telling everyone. She’s enormously excited. She’s been so very sad since her mother died. Having Lou resurrect the mobile library last year helped her, but she’s still a sad little girl. Her dad is sad too, of course. His wife Kim was such a beautiful girl.’

A woman stepped between Val and Bree. ‘Let me introduce myself. I’m Kelly Bridge. I own the store. It’s nice to meet you.’

‘And you too.’ Bree smothered a sigh of relief at this second rescue from Val’s unlooked-for company. Did everyone in the town have a Val radar?

‘Now, if there’s anything you want that we don’t stock, let me know. We can always get special orders in.’

‘Well, actually, I was wondering about coffee. I drink far too much of it, and I do need a brand I don’t see here for the fancy coffee maker that I can’t live without. I don’t drink tea.’ She did drink herbal tea, but hoped Val would recognise that the comment was aimed at her.

‘Sure! Come over to the counter if you’ve got everything and I can get details about your coffee and see what I can do. Excuse us, Val. I’ll be with you just as soon as I’ve seen to Miss Johnston.’

‘Please, call me Bree.’ Once they were far enough away from Val, she added a whispered, ‘Thank you.’

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