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A small smile. ‘Caesar is as thick as a plank and a devil to catch.’

‘I couldn’t have treated him without Cameron’s help.’

‘Now that you are adults, you can work with Cameron rather than against him. Intelligence and decency. You had far more in common than either of you recognised.’

‘We were in the same classes, not much else.’

‘I don’t believe that was Cameron’s experience.’ She sits forward in her chair. ‘He was not only older, he was mature for his age. He was concerned about you.’

‘People thought we competed, but I don’t know that we did.’

‘It’s not in your nature. Either of you.’

‘I must have known, deep down, that he’d been kind. It’s why I was hurt when I thought he’d let me down.’

‘He always wanted you to be safe.’

In the same way I would have done in Miss Winters’ class, I link my hands in my lap. My hand isn’t tingling now, but it tingled when I touched Cameron’s hand this morning.

‘I misjudged him.’

Standing stiffly, Miss Winters puts a hand on my arm. ‘Christmas is getting close. Do you have plans?’

‘I don’t do much at Christmas.’

‘I assist Audrey at the community centre on Christmas Day. Would you care to join us?’

Does she still see me as vulnerable?

‘Thank you, but Keith Urban and I are planning a quiet day at home.’

Chapter 15

‘G’day, Amelie!’ I’ve become accustomed to the sounds of building work at the back of the practice, and also the way that Frank, the builder, pops his head around the door to the surgery. As today is Friday and his men clock off early, Frank, who takes pride in his team’s workmanship, is on his own. ‘Do you want to have a look around?’

‘Sure.’

When Jimmy told me the living area of the terrace would be gutted, he wasn’t exaggerating. But now Frank and his crew are putting things back together. Thankfully, there’s no hint of the old kitchen and dining area, which will be replaced, Frank has told me, by sleek cupboards, a pantry, space for a coffee machine, a cooktop and oven and an integrated fridge.

‘Nothing like the old one,’ he says with a wince.

‘Good to hear.’

‘This …’ He stands in the middle of the room and swings his arms in parallel lines like an air traffic controller, ‘is where we’ll install the island bench.’

‘It sounds great.’

‘Upstairs is coming along too. One bedroom, only small but cosy, a bathroom and a snug little study. You’ll be set.’

‘I’m only here for another few weeks.’

‘Where’s your next job?’

‘I’m not sure yet.’

‘Look how busy you’ve gotten here.’ He smiles. ‘Why were you late in this morning?’

‘I was making house calls. Laura’s Pekinese, Enid and Barry’s labrador and Ruby’s chooks.’