Page 48 of The Knitting Club at Wagtail Ridge

‘I do want you to come with me, if you want to.’ The words were almost blurted out. ‘But …’ Matt took a deep breath. ‘I don’t want you to think or expect … I mean … just as friends.’

‘I’d love to.’ The speed and strength of her response startled them both. For a few seconds they stood there, looking at each other. The whole world was silent except for the soft singing of the breeze in the trees and the sound of the alpacas breathing.

The seconds were beginning to stretch out when Matt smiled. ‘Good. It’s settled then. I hope you don’t mind if Vicki comes too—at least for some of it.’

‘Of course not.’

‘Great.’

His face didn’t look like it was great. There was still sadness in his eyes, and uncertainty about the set of his shoulders. Bree didn’t want this not-a-date to get in the way of their growing friendship and she had something she thought might help.

‘I’ve been training the alpacas for the first of the walks. They’re fine with me, but it would be good to see how they behave with other people. Do you work on Sundays? If not, could you and Vicki come out and take a walk with us? To help with the training.’

‘I’m not sure I can be much help. I know nothing about how to … do things with an alpaca.’

‘That’s all right. They know what to do with you.’

The quip was rewarded with a half-smile. ‘I’m just on my way to pick Vicki up after knitting club. I’m sure she’ll love the idea.’

***

Vicki had not only liked the idea, but—according to Matt—she hadn’t stopped grinning and talking about it from the moment Matt told her to the moment they both arrived at The Gums the next day. Vicki bounced out of the car looking like she was ready to walk on clouds with her alpaca.

‘Can I walk with Digby?’

‘I thought your dad should take Digby. You know, boys together. How about you take Willow?’ Bree replied, naming her most experienced and quietest walker.

‘Oh, yes. I like Willow. She’s pretty.’

Father and daughter helped find halters for their alpacas, and the animals behaved perfectly. Bree collected Freddie and they set off, walking past the stables towards the newly constructed gate in her boundary fence.

‘This is the Williams’ place, isn’t it?’ Matt asked as they went through the gate, carefully closing it behind them.

‘Yes. It’s perfect for this. Nice bush, gentle slopes, and there’s a bit of a view from the top. I’ve been walking around and have already marked out a couple of trails for the paying customers.’

‘So tell me how this alpaca walking thing works.’

‘Sure. It’s like walking a dog, but with a big furry creature—and far fewer stops at convenient trees.’ She was rewarded with a chuckle. ‘Alpacas are friendly, curious creatures. And they are ridiculously cute. Isn’t that right, Freddie?’

The creature walking beside her ignored the comment, but with his head raised to look around at the new sights, he did look very handsome.

‘People are drawn to them, and a walk with such a gentle creature is relaxing. Alpacas don’t need handling as such. They like their own space. As long as the walker stays calm and doesn’t do anything stupid, there’s never a fuss.’

‘Am I doing everything right?’ Vicki asked.

‘Yes, you are. You are being gentle and patient. It’s important not to do anything to startle them or make them run away.’

Was she talking to Vicki about alpacas or to herself about Matt?

‘I hope I’m not. Doing anything stupid that is,’ Matt said.

‘You’ll know if you are. They spit, remember?’

Matt gave Digby a dubious sideways look.

‘You’re doing fine,’ she said. ‘Look at Digby’s face. He’s having a lovely walk.’ And Bree was beginning to think Matt was too. The small crease between his eyes was gone and his shoulders seemed a lot less tense.

‘Do a lot of people do this?’

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