Andy squealed, Frazer clapped a hand over her mouth, and Jemma applauded. Meg, having only just met them not long ago, said a happy, “Congrats!”

It took a few minutes for Jemma, Andy, and Frazer to stop hugging them both and sit back down. And then the questions started flowing.

“How?” Frazer asked.

“When?” Jemma squealed.

“Who asked who?” Andy yelled over all of them.

Rob looked happier than Frazer had ever seen him. The two of them were such opposites. Even their jobs as artist and as “finance something”—Frazer really did have to learn what Rob actually did—showed that. But they worked.

“Uh, Daniel asked me,” Rob said. “When is next year. And as for Frazer, ever the hardest questioner,” Rob winked at her, “the how is we’re getting married in Ireland. You are, of course, all invited.”

“And,” Daniel spoke up, “When Australia gets its shit together, you’re obviously all expected to come to the wedding we’ll have here. So, you know, if Ireland is too far, or too expensive, there’ll be that option.”

“Screw that!” Andy was practically glowing. “Who knows when that’ll happen. I’m coming to Ireland!”

“Same.” Frazer wouldn’t miss that for anything. Plus, she had only been overseas the once. What better reason to force herself onto a plane again?

Jemma turned to Meg, who looked mildly overwhelmed. “Too soon for us to make an arrangement a year in advance?”

Meg shrugged. “Not at all. I’ve never been to Ireland, I’d go without you if I had to.”

“Well,” Rob said, “If you guys broke up, we’d probably invite you over Jemma anyway.”

He ducked the balled-up napkin Jemma sent his way.

The glasses of champagne all soon went up after that, meeting in the middle accompanied by a lot of raucous laughter.

* * *

It had been amazing to sleep in her own bed again. Because Cora hadn’t realised that she’d not only missed Frazer but also her own mattress. It was as if her brain had refused to acknowledge the loss because maybe she would have left Indonesia after two days of that uncomfortable, lumpy bunk.

And she’d barely gotten to use her bed before she’d left. Everything in her house was new. Nevertheless, Cora had really, really missed it.

When she woke up the morning after her arrival, it was to a voicemail from Tia.

Still free for coffee? Great you’re back.

Strangely, Cora and Tia had exchanged a few e-mails while she’d been away. It had felt nice, as if someone motherly was checking up on her. Her own mother was still not speaking to her after Cora had told her about the divorce, then left to go to Indonesia for over a month.