The boys had run on ahead but Alice checked they were out of earshot. She held out her hand to Tim’s wife. “Hi, I’m Alice. You must be Tim’s sister, Sasha. He told me all about you.” She turned and indicated the retreating boys. “Joel and Rufus, right? You must be so glad your brother’s not the cheating bastard your husband is.”

Sasha stared at her as if she was talking gobbledygook.

“I think you’ve confused me with someone else,” Tim said quickly, moving forward as if it would encourage Sasha to resume walking.

“No, I haven’t. I’m Alice Hunter,” she said, stressing her surname in case Sasha wanted to contact her. “I live here in the bay. Anyway, I better not hold you up. The fireworks are starting soon.”

Alice ran down to the beach and immediately met the Waxmans, who’d packed up their game and were heading back.

“You’re all pink. Must be close to nine o’clock,” Harry teased.

“That means fireworks! Come on, Holly, race you back.” Hunter took off like a rabbit chased by a greyhound. Holly followed.

Alice slid her arm around Harry’s waist as they walked. “Remember the two-timing texting bastard I told you about? I just ran into him and his wife. After I got over the shock, I didn’t second-guess a thing and I introduced myself to her. She might choose to believe whatever tale he spins her, but for the first time since I found out he was cheating on her with me, I feel clean.”

“Good for you. I reckon you should write a book about the perils of online dating.”

“I’d rather spend my time painting.”

He gave her a quick squeeze. “About your art. How would you feel about a studio in the backyard? It’s not like we don’t have the room.”

“Holly would love it.”

“That goes without saying, but what about you?”

“I’d love it too.” Ideas started popping. “I could start an art school.”

“Is the bay big enough?”

“The bay’s perfect for people from Melbourne wanting to take some time out to paint and draw and throw clay.”

“Alice! Dad!”

Holly was standing with Alice’s family and waving to them from the growing crowd. Karen had her hands resting gently on Hunter’s shoulders and he was animatedly telling her something. Libby’s hand was in Nick’s and Leo sat on his shoulders, his hands dug into Nick’s curls. Indi was on Peter’s shoulders.

Lucy raced over to Harry. “Can I sit on your shoulders?”

“Sure.” He scooped her up. “How’s that?”

“Look!” Lucy pointed to the first explosion in the indigo sky, delighted by its white cascading light. “Happy New Year.”

Holly wriggled in between Harry and Alice.

“Happy New Year, Hol,” Harry said.

“Duh, Dad. Bit early.”

“I reckon this one might be worth celebrating twice, don’t you?”