The second Kelly stepped inside, Nicole almost knocked her off her feet. She wrapped Kelly in a bone crushing hug. “Thank God you’re home. I’ve been worried sick.”

The comment caught Kelly off guard. There was no way Nicole could know about her shitty day. “Why? I told you where I was going.”

“Because she’s a worrywart.” Steve waved hi from the sofa. “A friend posted on Facebook that there’d been a nasty prang on the Himatangi turnoff. Nicole put two and six together and came up with three.”

“That doesn’t even make sense.” Kelly kicked off her shoes and slumped into her chair. Never had it felt so soft. The sides wrapped around her like a comfort blanket. Although, she liked to think it was her dad’s spirit giving her a hug.

“Why didn’t you reply to my text?”

“Oh, shit.” Kelly dug her phone out. Three unread messages; two from Nicole, one from Jo. “I turned my phone off as soon as we arrived at the hospital.”

“What the fuck?” Nicole was on her feet again.

Steve leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Care to explain?”

Despite everything, a smile spread across Kelly’s face. “Boy, have I got a story for you. Listen up, kids.”

After grabbing her water bottle off the coffee table, Nicole dropped onto the sofa. Steve flung an arm across her shoulders and leaned his head on top of hers.

Warmth flooded Kelly’s heart. The love they had for each other was palpable.

Mindful that Lucy would be back in less than an hour, Kelly gave them a condensed version of their trip to Te Papa. The good, Jo and Tim. The bad, Lucy being evicted. The ugly, the accident. And the rest, the hospital, Colette’s attempt to make amends.

“I’m so sorry you went through all that, Kel.” Nicole pursed her lips. “Lucy must be distraught. What’s she going to do?”

And there it was. Kelly’s chance to lay it on the table.

“I told her she could move in here, but she insisted I ask you guys first, which I agreed is only right.”

Silence.

“I know the flat’s small but we’re all respectful and I’m sure it would work.”

Still nothing.

Panic set in and Kelly’s heart raced. She hadn’t expected to have to plead her case.

“Come on, guys,” Kelly implored. “You’re hardly here anyway.”

Nicole shot Steve a look. Steve lifted a shoulder in a classic you’re on your own gesture.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, spit it out, would you? I’ve had a day from hell, it can’t get any worse. If you’re against the idea, just say so. I won’t break.”

Liar.

Like a delicate piece of china about to shatter, Kelly barely managed to hold it together. Tears pricked her eyes, and her throat felt tight.