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How embarrassing. I had no idea that was about to happen. I don’t know where the tears came from but I’m grateful that Dalton didn’t make a big deal of it. It was nice being back in his arms again after all this time. I’d tried to forget the memories of his large arms holding me firmly, soothing me as his hands roamed up and down my back, his lips on my hair.

I spend the rest of the day keeping busy till after he leaves, door fixed and rehung, along with another bigger lock on it.

Mum bought us lunch and Sarah and I sat in the break room, enjoying our warm chicken salads and taking a well-earned rest. The shop has been crazy busy since it opened, especially with a big Racing Carnival happening in a few weeks. A lot of ladies are coming in to buy an outfit for the Races, so both of us have been kept busy all week.

The doorbell dinging signals another customer and I sigh as I get up to go see to them.

“Well, well. Look at this. Miss ‘I’m a supermodel’ decided to come home and play shopkeeper for a while”

“Mandy” I say politely, greeting my old high school enemy as she looks me up and down, a deep scowl covering her face. “Is there something I can do for you? Because if not, I’m really busy.”

“Yeah I need a dress for Race Day. Mind if I have a look around and see if there’s anything here worth buying?”

I sweep an arm out, indicating for her to help herself, gritting my teeth against the harsh words that want to come out, despite the long passage of time since I saw her last.

“I hear you’ve already got your claws into a few blokes in town and you’ve only been back a short while. You don’t waste any time, do you?” she says as she swishes her hand through the dresses on the rack before her.

“Excuse me?! I ask turning to face her, anger filling every cell in my body. “What exactly have you heard?”

“Just that you lost your boyfriend only a few weeks ago, and already you’re stringing along a few guys, now you’re back. You must have really loved him eh?” she says sarcastically.

“Mandy Baker, get your skanky arse out of here right now before I throw you out!” I hear yelled as Sarah comes striding down the hallway, her hands on her hips, determination showing on her face. “You’ve always been jealous of Haven, but you aren’t gonna insult her in her own shop. Now leave, before my foot finds your skinny arse.”

Looking up at Sarah, she replies “Oh don’t worry I’m going. There’s nothing here worth looking at anyhow. Dalton prefers me in shorts and bikini tops anyway...or nothing at all.” She finishes with a gloating smile, before flouncing out the front door and walking to her car.

“Shit” I say, running my hand up over my long hair. “She hasn’t changed a bit since High School has she? I thought Dalton had more brains than to hook up with her. She doesn’t seem his type.”

“She isn’t. His type I mean. I don’t know what she thinks is happening between them but I can assure you it isn’t. It’s just in her imagination. Dalton hasn’t looked at another woman since Kelsey’s death. For a while, he was a hermit out on the farm, just coming in to get supplies and leave again. It’s only recently that he’s actually been socializing again.”

“Thank God for that. I was about to tell him we couldn’t be friends anymore if what she said was true. I honestly never pictured them together.”

“I can’t imagine why she would think they are...or were...or whatever. I only know Dalton hasn’t any idea about what she just said. Actually I might tell him next time I see him. I’m sure he’ll think it’s hilarious.”

“I know this is a small town, but I hope he’d choose better than that...geez I’ve never liked that girl. She’s just all kinds of wrong.”

Hugging him tightly, tears filling my eyes, I realize how much I’d missed him, even though he’d come to Melbourne for the funeral. It’d all happened so quickly I’d barely had time to talk to him, so I prolong the hug as long as I can. Luke and I have always been close, even though having an older brother sometimes cramped my style, I love him dearly, even if I sometimes didn’t like him much. Back in High School when Dalton and I had first started going steady, he’d been painful – trying to keep us apart as much as he could, thinking that Dalton wasn’t good for me. Once he realized how much Dalton cared, he backed off somewhat, but he was always there in the background, making sure I was okay.

I smile at the memory of us having to sneak off for the night from a party at a friend’s house without Luke finding out. My parents had been away for a few days and we took advantage of the empty house while Luke was distracted. That was the night we lost our virginity. The night that remains one of my fondest memories. It was the night Dalton told me he loved me and always would.

Pulling back from my big brother, I swipe at the tears on my cheeks, embarrassed that he knows how much his being here means to me.

“Hey Possum...you okay?” He enquires, leaning down to study my face, and quickly running his eyes down my body. “You’ve lost too much weight. You’re almost skeletal Sis. Just as well I’m home to go get some takeout to feed you up, though I’m sure Mum’s been doing her best.”

Giving him a watery smile I nod, worried that if I try to speak I’ll break down completely.

Wrapping his arm over my shoulders he guides me to the dining table, pulling out a chair for me to slip into. “I think I need a beer after that long drive. How about you Poss? You want a wine?”

Hearing him call me by my shortened nickname, makes me smile up at him with a nod.

Possum has been his pet name for me for as long as I could remember. He used to say that my eyes were huge like a possum’s, hence the nickname.

“So tell me what’s going on? What’s this I hear about you opening a dress shop in town?” he asks sitting across from me and handing over a glass of white wine.

“Yeah. Your little sister is now a small business owner. We’ve had a busy couple of weeks since we opened, so hopefully it’s going to do well. We’ll vary the stock often, so there’s always something new in there. Sarah’s helping me as my assistant Manager, and we’re having a lot of fun. You’ll have to come and have a look around.” I say raising my glass for a drink.

“Try and stop me. I was hoping to be able to have a look over the weekend if you don’t mind. Have to be back at work on Wednesday morning so I’ll need to leave Tuesday arvo.”

“Sure. We can pop down tomorrow and have a look.” I reply, taking another small sip. “You look good Luke. Really good. So fill me in with what’s been happening with you? We didn’t really get a chance to catch up at the funeral.”

Looking at me with his deep green eyes, he smiled. “I’ve met someone. Was nearly gonna ask her to come with me this weekend but I didn’t, because I wanted you all to myself for a change...no distractions.”

“Sooo, who is she? What does she do? How long have you been seeing her?” I ask, smiling broadly at him.

“What; are you a Detective Sargent now??? Or has Mum been in your ear? I haven’t told her anything but I think she suspects, because she’s been grilling me very time we talk.” He says with a laugh.

“Spill. C’mon. You need to cheer me up and this’ll do it. At least one of us is happy and in a meaningful relationship. So...tell me all.”

Gazing at his little sister across the table Luke tells her seriously, “I think she’s the one Poss. She’s gorgeous, smart, outgoing and a great cook...which you know is top of my list of wants in a wife. Her name is Talia, and she’s a Geologist like me. We work together, which is how we met, and we’ve been friends for months, but it’s just lately that it’s gotten more serious. I think for the first time in my life, I actually love someone...and I’m looking at a future with her – house, kids, two cars, maybe even a dog – the whole 9 yards.”

“Wow...good for you! I can’t wait to meet her. Finally; someone who I can tell all your childhood secrets too...like that time you went skinny dipping out at the creek but forgot the tide was out, and a busload of tourists came around the bend. And the time you bought home a handful of baby snakes only to find out they were deadly. Oh this is going to be so much fun!”

“Now I know why I left her home this weekend. I don’t think I’ll bring down to meet you after all. You know too much that she doesn’t need to know.”

Looking over at him I say with a laugh, “Thank god you’re here. I missed you so much.” And with an embarrassed half laugh I swipe at my eyes, brushing away the tears that spill over.

“Hey...come on. It’s okay. We’ll always be here for you. You know that. I’m only ever a phone call away if you need me. I can jump on a plane at any time and be with you no matter where you are.”

“Who’s looking after who...or is it whom??” mum asks setting down the grocery bags on the kitchen counter nearby.

Getting up to greet her Luke says, “Whom Ma...How are you?” giving her a peck on the cheek as she hugs him tightly.

“I’m good Son...really good. You look well. You eating right? Getting enough exercise? You look a little pale, now that I look closely. Are you getting enough sun? You know you need your Vitamin D. You need to go and sit outside while you’re home...enjoy the sun a bit.”

Laughing at her concern Luke replies, “I’m good Ma...Just fine. Stop worrying.” Looking behind her he asks “Where’s Dad? Did you leave him at the supermarket?”

“Na, the pub. He wanted to stop in for a drink with his mates at the Pier. I dropped him there but he won’t be long. He’ll be here for dinner.”

“Wouldn’t mind another beer myself. I might go and join him and make sure he gets home okay.” Luke says.

“Want me to drive you? That way you can have a couple of drinks and I’ll come pick you up when you’re ready.”

“Sounds good. You don’t mind if I leave you for a while do you Ma? I promise to drag him home before dinner.”

“Of course not Honey. He’s very good. This is his Friday night routine. He’s always made it home on time before...but you go...have fun.” She says leaning in for a kiss.

Helping Mum cook dinner is a distraction that I badly need. Seeing Luke again has brought up emotions in me I’ve managed to keep hidden. I’m worried that if he pushes too hard I’ll break down like I did before and I don’t want to do that...I want to be strong. I feel like I’m weak if I let my emotions get the better of me. I mean, I loved the guy but I wasn’t in love with him at the end...yet a small thing can make me come apart at the seams. I hope I can get through the next few days without losing it completely.

A text message makes my phone vibrate in my pocket and I pull it out quickly, thinking it may be Luke, but I see its Dalton. I have no idea how he got my number but I open my phone to see what he says.

Dalton: Hey. The offer to come out for a swim still stands if you’re interested. Milly’s bugging me 2 see you again.

I read it in surprise. I’d completely forgotten about his invitation and now that Luke’s here I can’t go anyway.

Me: Sorry. Luke’s in town so I’ll have to take a rain-check.

Dalton: Bring him along too. It’s gonna be hot tomorrow. We can do a BBQ later if you want.

Me: Okay I’ll ask him and I’ll let you know.

Dalton : :)

I’m not sure why but the thought of spending the day at the farm with Dalton brings back happy memories of when we together as teens. He was either at my house or I was at the farm with him. Rarely were we apart.

“I don’t know...just seeing him again is bringing back all the good memories we had together, and I still feel...something...for him. It seems we’ve both lost people we loved and I’m not sure if that’s why I still feel close to him or if it’s just because we were together for such a long time.”

“He hasn’t had it easy these past few years with that pretty wife of his dying tragically like she did, that’s for sure. If I remember rightly you two didn’t part because you had bad feelings for one another, it was purely because you left to move to Melbourne, isn’t that right?”

“Yeah true. It’s just the other day...oh no...never mind...its fine. I’m just being silly.”

Running her hand up my bare arm Mum looks at me in that understanding way that Mums do, and says, “What happened? Did you and he...have a ...moment?”

“Yeah I suppose we did, but not like you’re thinking. I fell apart at work the other day and he held me, and it was...nice. Just like old times. And now he’s invited Luke and I to the farm tomorrow for a swim, and I’m not sure if I should say no and keep my distance or accept and see what happens. What do you think?”

Mum’s silence tells me all I need to know. I glance up from my veggie peeling to see her studying me and thinking hard. Finally, she says, “It’s hard to avoid anyone in this town – it’s too small. I think it’d be nice for the both of you to go out there...as friends. He may be able to help you. He’s been through the grieving process...and I know that you think you’re fine, but I can see that you aren’t. Talk to him...let him know what you’re feeling and maybe he can help.” She pulls me in for a quick hug and kisses my temple as I nod silently, too scared to speak for the fear of bursting into tears.