Page 51 of A Home Among the Snow Gums
‘There’s seats left at the counter, will that do?’
‘Perfectly,’ said Hannah, and marched over to claim a stool.Try making bar-counter conversation into a secret talk, she thought a little maliciously, as Tom eased his lean self onto the stool beside her.
Kev Jones was first over, bobbing up between them, nearly buried in a home-knitted vest. ‘You two know you can count on me to volunteer for the Ironbark Campdraft. I couldn’t crack the whip with my bursitis, but I can judge and I pull a hell of a beer if there’s kegs at the bar.’
Tom gave a groan and she raised her eyebrows at him. What was Kev on about?
‘Marigold not with you today, Kev?’ Tom said.
‘The historical society are meeting down at the hall. I’m on stickybun collection duty.’
A small mercy. No sooner had Kev disappeared with a waxed carton of baked goods than Vera emerged from the swing doors that led to the kitchen.
‘Hannah, hey,’ she said. ‘Those animals finally decided to give you a break, did they? Coffee, or are you …’ Vera’s words trailed off as she noticed Hannah wasn’t alone. She looked from Hannah to Tom and back again, before her face went blank. ‘Er, hi, Tom. I’ll, er, let you two get back to business as soon as I’ve taken your order.’
‘Cappuccino for me, please, Vera. What do you fancy, brat?’
‘The brat usually has a latte, no sugar,’ said Graeme as he moved in behind the espresso machine.
Tom was looking exasperated by all the intrusion. ‘Make it a big one, will you, Graeme?’ he said. ‘I’m feeling caffeine deficient.’
‘You got it, sweetness.’
‘That’s Lieutenant Commander Sweetness, retired, to you, mate.’
Vera was still hovering. ‘I’ve got pumpkin scones. Graeme sweet-talked his granny into sharing her recipe, and they’re better than Christmas.’
‘Are they carb free?’ Hannah’s jeans were digging into her in all sorts of uncomfortable ways, and she wasn’t sure how much more of her would fit before the zipper popped.
‘Sure, if you ignore the flour and pumpkin and buttermilk I put in them. I’ll go find you some,’ said Vera, and bustled off into the kitchen.
‘She is so about to text Josh,’ Hannah muttered to Tom. ‘Why do I feel like I’ve stumbled into an episode ofFawlty Towers?’
Graeme set their coffees down, dropping a wink at them so broadly she couldn’t decide if his target was her or Tom, then they were alone. Time to get her agenda rolling.
‘I’ve got clinic again this afternoon.’ She stirred the swan pattern layered into the crema of her coffee.
Tom raised an eyebrow. ‘Er … yes?’
‘Just making chit-chat. Isn’t that why we’re here? So you can check I’m not bonkers? Because if you think I haven’t seen a town intervention scheme before, you haven’t factored in how long I’ve lived in Hanrahan. Who’s behind it? Josh? Marigold?’
Tom choked gently on his drink and she resisted the urge to pat his back. She was a disinterested party and so was he.
‘If you do have something you want to discuss, then you’d better make it quick; I’m removing the testicles from a one-eyed tomcat called Captain at two o’clock.’
‘Poor bloke. Well, you guessed it, the busybodies have decided you need some help, um, with your social skills.’
‘Ouch.’
‘Yep. Anyway, they’ve come up with the plan that you and I organise this year’s campdraft at Ironbark.’
‘Was that what Kev was wittering on about?’
‘Yep. Bruno is on board and I’ve agreed to it.’
‘What, and I just do what everyone says? No thanks, Tom. I’ve got plans of my own. Organising a campdraft seems like a lot of work and unlike you, I already have a full-time job.’
He put his hand on hers. ‘Hannah. Josh asked me to ask you. He wants this.’
