We headed to the front, my heart hammering all the way. As well as us, there were four women contenders and seven men, Sam’s mum Michelle and Dan among them. All looked far more confident than I felt, but somehow when Garry called Jedda and me forward, I forgot all my inhibitions—maybe the rum helped—and sashayed along the imaginary catwalk beside her, pouting to the audience and swishing my long fake hair from side to side.

Gail, Jim and Cassie shrieked from our table, giving us a standing ovation, and there were even a few wolf-whistles from other members of the audience. I rushed to the side, unable to believe what I’d just done as the next woman took her turn.

‘You’re a natural,’ Dan whispered to me as I passed him.

I bit my lip as an unfamiliar heat washed through me.

I was sure Michelle, who had made the most amazing Australia Post Box costume, would win so couldn’t believe it when they awarded me and Jedda the prize. We won a bottle of Jack Daniels and a plastic crown between us and I told Jedda she could keep both. ‘Give the crown to Bindi—I’m sure she’ll have more use for it than I do.’

‘Thanks,’ Jedda said and plopped the crown on her head. ‘Dear God, I hope Sam managed to get her to sleep as I’m not at all up to the task tonight.’

‘Fingers crossed.’

‘Come on, I’ll drive you home.’

‘I can walk,’ I protested, silently thinking it might be more of a stagger. Although I’d slowed down, I’d still had way more to drink than I usually would, but I was lucid enough to know Jedda shouldn’t be driving anyone anywhere. ‘And I think you should leave your car here and walk too.’ It was even closer for her anyway.

‘I have to agree with Ashling,’ came a deep voice from behind us. ‘And I’m walking in the same direction so we can walk together.’

‘Oh, good job, Daniel Emerson.’ Jedda leaned past me and rested her hand on his chest.

He smirked. ‘Hardly a job.’

She blinked and then narrowed her eyes at him, his words seeming to remind her of her misgivings. ‘You look after her, you hear me,’ she said, jabbing her finger into his chest. ‘Because if anything happens to her, I’ll kill you.’

He grinned, clearly amused. ‘I promise I’ll see she gets home safely.’

‘I can look after myself,’ I told Jedda, leaning forward to give her a kiss goodnight before Dan and I headed to the door and joined the mass exodus from the hall.

Chapter 26

26

‘Beautiful night,’ I said as we set off along the beach road, leaving crowds of people piling into cars and the lights of the town centre behind. Thankfully the moon shone brightly, giving us enough light to see the road ahead.