One year ago
Summer was waning and Dylan could feel the change in the air. There was a hint of crispness in the early mornings that up until now had been missing, and the breeze seemed to blow a little cooler than it had. The season was turning and the thunderstorm that had settled over Kangaroo Ridge three nights ago had watered the parched earth and settled the dust. Soon the leaves on the planted European trees that were dotted about the town would change from green to red and brown. As the rains came the surrounding bush would begin to green and the brown dirt would be replaced with the first tufts of grass.
Dylan drove down the bumpy road towards Carrington Farm. It was late and the moon was high overhead. He wound down the window and leant his arm on the window ledge as he continued down the gum-lined track. The wind blew away the tiredness that had been sneaking up on him. The same couldn’t be said for Seb. Dylan turned his head and saw that his friend looked pretty out of it; his head leaning against the passenger’s door with his eyes closed and the scent of alcohol emanating from him. It was unusual, as he was always cool, calm and collected; but something had rattled him today. Dylan had his suspicions but he was keeping the reason close to his chest.
Seb had called him earlier and said that he wanted to blow off some steam, apparently a session at the local gym hadn’t been enough. Dylan suggested that they go to Bendigo, maybe to a club to grab a drink. He offered to drive as he could see that Seb was agitated. In Bendigo, they grabbed some pizza before heading to a club where Seb began to throw back drinks in quick succession.
Dylan sat opposite, studying him. ‘So do you want to talk about it?’
Seb shook his head. ‘It’s nothing.’
‘Yeah, really looks like it.’ Dylan raised his eyebrows.
‘It was a frustrating day,’ Seb said as he put his half-empty glass back on the table. He glanced up at Dylan, who was waiting for him to expand. He let out a sigh before continuing, ‘The orders that I was waiting on were delayed … again. Then one of the guys managed to drop a case of prosecco and shattered nearly all the bottles. Then the kitchenhand quit and to top everything off I had another run-in with Gemma.’
‘How did that go?’ Dylan asked, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
‘It wasn’t pretty.’
‘The two of you should make a pact to not interact. It would be easier for all of us,’ Dylan added with a laugh.
Seb made a face. ‘Oh shut up.’
That just made Dylan laugh harder.
‘I always tell myself to ignore her,’ Seb continued, ‘but we just seem to rub each other the wrong way. She’s so prickly and difficult.’ Seb gulped down the remainder of his drink.
This time Dylan bit back a smile. He’d known Gemma for years, since high school, and he’d never had a problem with her. She could hold her own and was outspoken, especially if she was defending her best friend, Tam. And generally, that’s why she and Seb clashed. Dylan was going to point that out to him but Seb got up to get another drink and the moment was lost.
After a couple of hours, Dylan helped Seb back to the car, poured him into the passenger’s seat and drove back to Kangaroo Ridge.
Seb opened his eyes and straightened up in his seat about twenty minutes into the trip.
‘Where are we?’
‘About halfway,’ Dylan replied without taking his eyes off the road. ‘You’re a bit out of it. Do you want to stay at my place?’
Seb shook his head and it seemed to take him a little time to get his thoughts together. ‘Nah, I need to go home.’
‘Right, but you’re half cut and the pub will still be open by the time we get back. It’s not a great look for the owner to turn up drunk.’
‘I’m not drunk,’ Seb mumbled.
‘Of course not,’ Dylan scoffed.
Silence filled the car and Dylan thought that Seb had fallen asleep.
‘Maybe we should go to the farm?’ Seb whispered as he leant back and closed his eyes.
‘Good idea,’ Dylan said as he gave Seb a quick glance.
About twenty minutes or so later, Dylan pulled into Carrington Farm’s drive and drove up to the house. He was relieved to see the lights of the house come into view, at least the family was still up. A brief frown marred his face, maybe that wasn’t such a good thing—at least not for Seb. By the time he’d stopped the car and managed to manhandle his friend out, the lights on the front verandah had been switched on and the front door creaked open.
Felix walked down the steps to meet them.
‘Seb had a few drinks,’ Dylan said. ‘And he wanted to crash here, rather than at the pub.’
‘A few?’ Lix echoed. ‘What the hell happened? He’s never like this.’
‘Not one hundred per cent sure,’ Dylan replied. ‘But something about a bad day and a run-in with Gemma seems to have been a part of it.’
‘Ah,’ Lix said as if the whole thing was crystal clear.
Felix grabbed hold of the other side of his brother and together he and Dylan managed to half walk, half stagger Seb up the steps and into the house.
‘Where do we put him?’ Dylan asked.
‘I reckon the couch is the best bet.’ Lix had already begun to veer in that direction.
‘Good call,’ Dylan replied as they manoeuvred Seb over to the couch and dumped him down. He straightened up and blew out a breath. ‘You’ll be all right with him?’
‘Of course,’ Lix said. ‘You can take off.’
‘Anyone else here?’
‘Maddie is out with some friends, so Tam and I are officially babysitting Rori. Both she and Lucy have gone to bed but Tam’s down by the summer house; you should swing by and say hello on your way.’
‘I should get going.’ Dylan slapped a hand on Lix’s shoulder. ‘I’ll catch you later.’
‘Yeah, no worries,’ Lix said. ‘Have a good night.’
Dylan bounded down the steps and headed towards the car. He was about to open the door but his hand paused on the handle. He looked across the dark waters of the dam to where a trail of solar lights marked the narrow path to the summer house.
The bright moon bathed the dam in its sensuous light, the night air was warm and scented with a hint of honeysuckle. He tilted his head back and looked up at the twinkling night sky. Maybe he should go and see Tam; it wasn’t as if he was in any hurry to get home. He walked down towards the dam and began to follow the path around its edge. The chorus of frogs stopped their song as he walked past but resumed their boisterous croaking as soon as he had moved further along.
He knew he should turn around and walk back to the car. He’d wanted her, dreamt about her and been secretly infatuated with her for years. But if he and Tam ever got together, what would that do to the dynamics of the family? And if it all went pear-shaped and they broke up, what then? Seb would hate him and there was a good chance that he’d lose the closest thing he had to a family. That thought should have been enough to stop him in his tracks, but the lure of seeing Tam propelled him down the path.
The summer house was on the opposite shore from the main house so it took him a while to get there. He called out as he approached, to give Tam a heads-up.
‘Hey, Tam, it’s just me—Dylan. You there?’
Other than the frogs in the distance, Dylan was met with silence. He wondered if she’d already headed back to the house. If she had gone back using the other path, it was quite likely that they would miss each other.
‘Tam, are you there?’ he called out.
There was a splash in the water which drew his attention.
‘Dylan? What are you doing here?’ Tam asked. She was standing naked in the shoulder-deep water.