Payton’s voice jolted me into action. ‘Thank you. It’s so good to see you.’ I pulled both Jedda and Bindi into a hug and yanked them inside. ‘Come see the patient.’

I closed the door and Jedda followed me into the living room.

‘Surprise!’

Payton’s eyes lit up and her mouth formed a large O. ‘Bindi!’

Jedda laughed and let her daughter down onto the floor. She toddled over to Payton and climbed up on the couch beside her. The movie was immediately forgotten as the two of them got reacquainted.

I turned to Jedda. ‘Can I get you a coffee?’

‘That would be good. And, I’ve got cake to go with it in the car.’

While I made the drinks, Jedda went outside to retrieve the ‘cake’ and returned with her arms loaded up with containers.

‘That looks like more than a cake,’ I said.

She shrugged as she put them on the counter. ‘When I heard what had happened, I thought you might be a little busy to cook. These meals and snacks should get you through a few days.’

‘Hang on …’ A thought struck as I handed her a mug. ‘It’s Friday. Who’s looking after the cafe?’

‘I closed it for the day. Priorities, girlfriend. Friends in need trump work every time.’

‘How’d you get into the shack?’

‘Security is pretty dismal without Charlie there, but don’t worry, I have tricks that meant I didn’t have to break a window or anything.’

I almost spat out my mouthful of coffee. ‘Of course you do. But how did you know I needed my car and all my stuff?’

‘Your spunky hunk of a man.’ Jedda wriggled her eyebrows. ‘He called me yesterday afternoon to let me know dinner was cancelled and—’

‘I’m sorry,’ I said, having completely forgotten. Yesterday was such a blur I couldn’t even remember if I knew Dan had called her. ‘I should have rung you myself.’

‘Don’t be ridiculous. You were concentrating on your daughter, which is what you should have been doing. But Dan kept me updated, and this morning he asked if I’d mind bringing your car down. He’s going to drive us back, but said to call when we’re done as he wasn’t sure if your ex would be here and he didn’t want to cause problems.’

‘He thought about all that?’ My heart swelled.

‘Yep. I have to concede he’s not a bad sort; not surprising he’s not really an Emerson.’

‘He told you that too?’

‘Yup, we had quite the chat. I reckon you should bottle him.’

‘What?’