‘It’s probably not a bad idea,’ he agreed, glancing quickly at his smart watch as we paused alongside our cars. ‘Well, I guess …’

This was my chance. ‘I was thinking it was time to book that couples therapy we discussed,’ I blurted. ‘When’s a good time for you?’

When he blinked, I added, ‘I know your schedule is pretty busy next week, but you have a few free spaces the week after. And my counsellor said she can do evenings or weekends if stretched.’

‘Um.’ Adrian cleared his throat and for one brief moment I thought he was going to renege on his promise and that I’d been wrong about us making progress this past week. But then he said, ‘Okay, week after next sounds good. Let me know the time and day and I’ll get Kristen to reshuffle my appointments if necessary.’

‘Thank you,’ I breathed. He wouldn’t lock in an appointment if he wasn’t serious about us getting back on track, would he?

Adrian merely nodded. ‘See you Sunday at soccer. I’ll bring you a coffee.’

And if that wasn’t even more confirmation that we still had a future together, I didn’t know what was!

Chapter 29

29

Ragged Point

On my fourth trip to Ragged Point, I didn’t feel any of the anxiety I had on my first visit. More optimism filled my heart than it had in months. Adrian and I were talking to each other again, and I looked forward to seeing Jedda, continuing my work on the shack and also going out to see the island. Yet, within seconds of driving into the tiny town, I could tell something was amiss.

Cars lined the main street, locals were streaming in and out of the general store pushing trolley-loads of goods, and in the few other businesses, people were dragging in signs and taping up windows. Outside the post office, Don the postmaster was lowering the Australian flag. I slowed as I passed Brewed Awakening to see Jedda struggling to carry in the outdoor umbrellas.

What on earth was going on?

It wasn’t easy, but I managed to find somewhere to park about a hundred metres down the road and my door almost flew off its hinges as I opened it.

‘Stay here,’ I barked to Charlie, my hair flapping about my face in the gusty wind. It was then I noticed the massive pine trees down by the seafront swaying madly from side to side and the waves beyond them larger and more fearsome than I’d ever seen.

It had been a little blowy when I’d left Perth a couple of hours ago but, eager to get on the road, I hadn’t thought much about it. Early April was often like this—one beautiful sunny day followed by a cold cloudy one, giving a hint of what was to come. But Perth’s weather had nothing on this.