I had to admit, that did sound appealing—particularly the lack of snoring, Adrian was a shocker—but I’d been thinking about sex more than ever since he’d left. Granted, I’d never wanted it as much as he had, but the thought of never having any intimacy again depressed me something chronic. ‘You don’t miss sex?’

‘I said I hadn’t dated. A girl has needs and I find ways to see to them when necessary. Although it’s been a tad more difficult since this one’—she nodded towards the pram—‘came along.’

I thought of Hayley and her string of one-night stands, but that wasn’t the only reason why I believed she and Jedda would get along well—they also shared a similar no-nonsense, fun-loving attitude. I admired their gusto and zest for life, even though I could never imagine having even half of it myself.

Jedda went inside to fetch the wine and returned to refill our mugs. ‘I’d like to make a toast. To new friends.’

‘To new friends,’ I echoed, and we clinked mugs.

‘I hope even though you’re going tomorrow you won’t be a stranger. I’d love to keep in touch and catch up next time I’m in Perth.’

At her words I teared up a little—I was really going to miss Jedda and her gorgeous little girl. It had been a long while since I’d clicked with someone in such a short period of time. ‘I feel the same. And I hope your trip to Perth will be sooner rather than later.’

‘You’ll have to call or message me to let me know how things are going with your husband,’ she said.

‘I will,’ I promised, but I didn’t want to think about Adrian tonight. Looking out to the ocean, I smiled as the last of the sun dropped down to the horizon, leaving a fiery orange belt above the water and a stunning purple sky that was getting darker by the second. On Bill’s Island the palm trees were swaying gently in the evening breeze.

‘Have you been out to the island?’ I asked.

‘Me? Yeah, but not for a long time. I’m terrified of water these days.’ Jedda took a big swig of wine and visibly shuddered. ‘This is about as close as I get. Haven’t been swimming in seventeen years.’

I didn’t need to ask her if the arrival of her fear coincided with Jack’s drowning—the melancholic expression on her face gave me the answer. I could only imagine how hard it must be to live this close to the ocean, how conflicted she must feel inside, because while the sea had taken her love, Ragged Point held all her beautiful memories as well.

‘So, does Bill still live out there?’

‘Nah, he passed away a few years back; caused a bit of a stir actually.’

‘Oh?’