Page 22 of The Knitting Club at Wagtail Ridge

‘She’s doing fine,’ Ash said. ‘I scanned her yesterday and she still had the twins.’ It was clear that Ash didn’t view this as a good thing.

‘I’ll keep a close eye on her, don’t worry.’ The long journey could make Sky lose her twins, a result that was almost inevitable whatever they did. But Bree couldn’t ignore that tiny hope deep inside her that maybe this time she’d see twin crias born alive and healthy.

The next job was to unload the last trailer—food and tack to be stored in the shed—and it wasn’t long before the shed started looking pretty full, with hay and feed supplements and all the paraphernalia that went into good animal care. The last few boxes were carried to Bree’s house, where the spun yarn inside them would be stored on shelves in her office.

Ash and Mel took their leave. They would be back in the morning with the rest of Bree’s herd.

Bree fetched herself a mug of coffee and wandered back down to the stables. She checked that all her charges had feed and water. As she moved among them, she made sure that none had suffered any injuries on their journey. Satisfied at last that all was as it should be, she sat on an old drum to enjoy her drink and a feeling of satisfaction.

Hers was a small herd, but each alpaca was a champion—or bred to be one. And each animal was showing a full coat. After winter was past, they’d be shorn of their valuable fleeces, but for now, they were a group of very woolly animals. Just looking at them as they wandered around, exploring their new home, was enough to make Bree smile.

The phone in the pocket of her jacket vibrated. She pulled it out.

‘Hello, Mother.’

‘Hello, Brianna. How are you?’

‘Fine, thanks. Getting nicely settled into the new place. The first of the herd arrived today.’

‘Yes. I hope everything’s going well.’

Bree realised that her words had come as something of a surprise to her mother. She hadn’t known how far along with her new life Bree had moved. Maybe she would have, had she given it some thought. But Margaret obviously had something else on her mind.

‘What is it, Mother?’

‘It’s the McPhearson estate. You were looking after it. There’s a snag. It would be helpful if you could come back for a few days until we get it under control. Everyone else is too busy, and I know you can sort it all out in a day or two.’

‘No.’

‘What?’ The shock vibrated down the phone.

‘Mother, I can’t just go back to Sydney for a few days. I have animals to look after. I’m busy myself, setting up a whole new business.’

‘Well, yes, I know. But it’s not—’

‘Not what, Mother?’ Bree knew what her mother was going to say. Not a ‘proper’ business. Not real. Not important. Well, Bree wasn’t having any of that. She loved her mother and she didn’t want there to be tension between them, but she had to stand up for the life she’d chosen.

‘I just need a few days of your time, Bree. Surely you can give me that.’

‘I’m sorry, Mother. I can’t give you that. You had five years. Now I’m doing what I want with my life.’

There was silence at the other end of the line.

‘I’m sorry, Mother.’

‘I understand.’

Bree didn’t think she did. ‘I hope you and Father will come up and look at the place soon. One weekend. It’s starting to take shape.’

‘We will. When we have time.’

‘The alpacas will all be here tomorrow. I’m ready to start taking bookings for the walks, although I’ll give the alpacas time to settle before we take paying customers. I’ll have the website up and running later today. I’ll send you and Father the link.’

‘Yes. Do that.’

Bree’s happiness and enthusiasm faded. Her parents would never follow that link. They might or might not come to visit one day. Once. But if they were to see each other at all, she’d have to go to them.

‘Fine.’ She didn’t bother trying to keep the call going.

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