All the tension Nick had carried into the house returned as if it had never left. “How about I show you on Sunday when you come over for dinner.”

Jess’s lips pursed at his captain’s tone. “Tomorrow would be better.”

“Jess—”

“While you’re here, you can replace the two rotten boards on the back steps.”

“There are no rotten boards! Jess, this has to stop. I’ve tried to be understanding. I’ve tried to be the good guy and support my wife’s best friend, but this is getting ridiculous. If you’re determined to keep it up, I’m telling Libby that many of your call outs are fake.”

The sleeping dragon inside her lifted its head and blew a blaze of fury. “You could do that.”

His eyes narrowed to slits as if he was desperately seeking the position of a tripwire in the dark. “What?”

“You could tell her, but just think about it. I’m not the only person who hasn’t been completely honest with her, am I? So, perhaps one night after one drink too many, I let it slip exactly what happened that time behind the surf lifesaving club.”

His laughter rained over her. “I didn’t even know Libby then. You and I were just two teens fumbling in the dark.”

Jess shrugged, not remembering very much fumbling at all. “All I’m saying is, when a secret comes out, people start wondering what else they haven’t been told. That’s not a road I want to go down. Do you?”

The large veins in his neck throbbed and he swallowed. “No.”

“Good. We’re on the same page then. See you at lunch tomorrow. Meanwhile, you better get going or Libby will start to worry.”

Jess watched him stride out into the easing rain until his silhouette was consumed by the dark. Since she was fifteen, he’d been the one walking away from her without looking back. But she’d watched and waited long enough. It was time for things to change.

Chapter Five

Alice read the note on the kitchen table. Having dinner at the RSL with Hilary & Ken etc. You’re welcome too. Love Mom.

It was Friday night and as much as Alice enjoyed the company of her parents’ friends, spending time at the RSL on a night off wasn’t up there on her bucket list of things to do before she died. Not to mention the message it sent to the town—poor Alice Hunter alone again on a Friday night and eating dinner with the oldies from the University of the Third Age set. She checked her phone again, telling herself she didn’t have a problem—she had the ABC News app installed and she was merely keeping up with local and world events. Even so, she wasn’t deaf to the mocking laugh in her head.