Dan hovered in the doorway. He really couldn’t wait for her to prepare food. Tom would have the field bins full by now. He needed to get over there with the truck.

“Get going, Dan,” she said with a grin on her face. “I’ll be fine and I’ll have something ready for us to eat when you come home.”

“Thanks. I do appreciate all you do.”

“We’re a team, Dan.”

He swept her into his arms and kissed her, unable to meet the trusting look she gave him. When he let her go he was happy at least to see her grin had turned to a wide smile. If only it was as simple as a kiss and a hug to make their future secure. He turned on his heel, guilt eating at his insides. “See you later.”

* * *

The phone began to ring just as she reached the kitchen.

“Paula, is Dan there?” Heather’s voice was faint but urgent.

“I think he’s at the shed,” Paula said. The fire had been several days ago, surely it hadn’t flared up again. “Is something wrong?”

“I don’t know what to do…it’s Ted…he’s in a terrible state…”

“Are you all right?”

“Yes…well, no. I don’t know what to do.” There was a tremor in her voice. “Do you think Dan would come? He might be able to talk to Ted.”

“I’ll get him.”

“Please hurry. I’m…I’m frightened.”

“You hang on. We’ll be right there.”

Paula threw down the phone and picked up her keys. She knew Dan was planning to drive the truck and she didn’t know where the dual cab was. It would be easier to go in the Audi. Maybe they should call the police. Heather was afraid of Ted, had he become violent? Paula didn’t want Dan caught in the middle of it.

She drove flat out past the shed. She could see the truck moving slowly down the track towards the gate. Tooting the horn madly, she squeezed her car into the space between the truck and the fence. Dan would know what was best.

He jumped down from the truck before she had time to open the door of her car.

“What’s wrong?”

She reached over to open the passenger door. “Get in. We have to go to Ted’s. Heather just rang and…Dan, I think Ted must have hit her.”

“What! Are you sure? Ted wouldn’t hurt Heather.”

“She was really upset, said you might be able to talk some sense into him.”

“Hang on.” Dan went back to his truck and turned it off before climbing into the car beside her.

“Do you think we should call the police?” Paula edged forward past the truck then sped up along the track.