Page 52 of The Knitting Club at Wagtail Ridge

The pub was busy and buzzing when they arrived. Several members of the knitting club were there and waved at Bree and Rose as they walked in. Bree cast her eyes around.

‘Matt’s not here,’ Deb said as she walked past carrying a tray of glasses.

‘I wasn’t—’

Deb was gone before Bree could finish the sentence.

Nan led the way to a free table, stopping as she did to talk to a couple of women from the knitting club.

‘It’s a shame you weren’t here earlier,’ Kelly from the shop said. ‘Those shearers dropped in for a beer. Those are some pretty good-looking men.’

Bree was startled to see her grandmother blush.

‘I’m too old to notice that sort of thing.’

‘Rose Fuller, you are no such thing,’ Kelly insisted with a laugh. ‘You’d have to be dead not to notice that good-looking head shearer.’

‘His name’s Mike,’ Bree chimed in, watching her nan’s face carefully. There it was, that moment of unguarded emotion. And she wasn’t the only one who noticed it.

‘Well, I saw Mike reading that sign by the bar. The one about the town dance,’ Kelly said. ‘You’d best make sure you’re here for it, Rose, or I’m likely to jump in ahead of you.’

‘You go right ahead, if you think you can handle him.’ Rose winked and moved on, leaving Kelly chuckling over her dinner.

‘Why don’t you come up for the dance?’ Bree said as they settled at their table.

‘Don’t you start,’ Nan warned.

‘You’re a bit touchy on the subject. And don’t forget I saw you and Mike chatting over lunch.’

‘He was just being polite. I’m far too old for that sort of thing.’

‘You are not. Seriously, Nan. You’ve been alone for a long time. And Mike is a nice guy. Not to mention pretty hot.’

‘And what about you and Matt? Also a nice guy. And not what I’d call unattractive.’

Bree shook her head. ‘It’s a nice idea, but he’s still grieving for Kim. And there are some complicated issues there with Vicki’s grandparents.’

‘And you know about these issues how?’ Nan fixed her with a stare, and raised eyebrows.

Bree chuckled. ‘Okay. We’re as bad as each other. But seriously, why don’t you come up for the dance? You’ll enjoy it.’

‘I’m spending so much time up here I’d move up permanently, but you’d get sick of me.’

‘Never, Nan, never. Now, this is supposed to be a celebration—how about we order some bubbles?’

CHAPTER

20

‘Would you consider renting the shop in the main street?’ Matt mentally crossed his fingers as he waited for a reply.

‘We had hoped for a sale.’ The voice down the phone sounded a bit disappointed.

‘Keith, you know I’ve been trying. But like everywhere else, the Ridge has had a tough few years. It’s starting to come back, but there’s still not many people looking to buy. And those who are want a cheap house or a working property.’

‘I know you’ve been trying. I have no complaints. And, to be honest, we’ve settled into retirement so well, I don’t really think about that old shop much. Only when the bills come.’

That was his opening. Matt took it eagerly. ‘Renting the place would cover those bills, probably with a good bit left over.’

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