Page 64 of The Knitting Club at Wagtail Ridge

But when her eyes met Matt’s, her smile faded a little and a small crease appeared on her forehead.

‘Hi, Matt.’

‘Hi.’ Matt’s arms ached to pull Bree to him and bury his face in that mane of wild hair to chase away the horror that was haunting him. But he couldn’t. If he did, he’d lose control of his tightly pent-up anger and fear. He couldn’t do that in front of Vicki.

He said nothing more as they went inside and Vicki greeted Rose with equal enthusiasm. Mike was also there and greeted the little girl.

‘Did you know that Mike has shorn all the alpacas?’ Bree asked Vicki.

‘Ooh. Does it hurt?’

Mike laughed. ‘Who? The alpacas. No. Me? Sometimes, if they stand on my toes.’

Vicki giggled.

‘Nan. Mike. Why don’t you take Vicki down to see the herd with their new haircuts?’

Matt saw the look that passed between Bree and her grandmother.

‘Can I, Daddy? Please.’

‘Of course you can. But make sure you do exactly what Mike and Rose tell you to do.’

‘I promise.’

Matt watched his daughter, the great joy of his life, bounce out the door and head off towards the paddocks, holding onto Rose’s wrinkled hand and Mike’s strong, work-roughened one.

No sooner had Bree closed the door than she was waving him to a seat. ‘Something’s wrong. Tell me.’

‘How did you know?’

‘Anyone looking at your face would know something is wrong. If you can’t tell me, I understand. Instead, just tell me how I can help.’

Matt started to tell her about the letter.

‘Sally wants what?’ The shock on Bree’s face told him he was not overreacting to the threat.

‘She wants to take Vicki away from me.’ There. He’d said the words out loud. They were real now.

‘No.’ Bree took his hands in hers. ‘She can’t do that. Not without a court order. And not without evidence that something is very wrong. And that’s not the case. You are a wonderful father and Vicki loves you.’

Those were the words he’d needed to hear, but it wasn’t enough.

‘But the solicitor’s letter says she has a case.’ He gripped Bree’s hands like a drowning man would grip a life preserver.

‘Who is the solicitor?’

Matt struggled to remember the name.

‘I know them. They’re a small firm, and none too bothered about the morality of what they do.’

That was a surprise. ‘How do you know them?’

‘Matt, you do know I was a solicitor in Sydney? That my parents own a law firm? Well, Nan technically owns part of it too.’

He frowned. Had he known that? Maybe she’d said something when buying The Gums, but if she had, he hadn’t paid much attention. ‘No. I mean, I don’t think so.’

‘I wish you’d brought the letter with you. Sorry. I know it’s none of my business, but I’d like to help you, if I can.’

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