Love for her father blossomed in Kelly’s chest as her mind flicked back to the day in question.

“The dairy company had a strict policy on cleanliness, trucks included. As you can imagine, the roads, or should I say dirt tracks to milking sheds are rather…”

“Shitty?” Ashleigh supplied.

“Exactly.” Kelly chuckled, wrinkling her nose.

The size of some of the cow patties she’d seen over the years flabbergasted her.

Needing to take a load off her tired legs, Kelly slumped into the nearby armchair.

Following suit, Ashleigh returned to her seat on the sofa.

“On that day, over a decade ago, Nicole and I scrubbed those trucks until they shined like polished silver. The manager of the dairy company stopped by, snapped our photo, and presented us with vouchers to a fancy restaurant. The way our fathers puffed out their chests, beaming with pride, was worth more to me and Nicole than the lavish meal our families feasted on that night.”

Kelly didn’t know if she believed in the afterlife, but liked to think he still watched over her. More than once she’d felt his presence before telling herself she was being silly.

“This was my dad’s chair.” She pushed her foot on the floor, lulled by the gentle rocking. “When he died, mum put it in the garage. I guess the pain of seeing it empty was too much for her to bear. I never forgot it was there and when Nicole and I moved into this flat, I asked Mum if I could take it.”

Ashleigh’s gaze, full of empathy, never wavered from Kelly. The fact she seemed genuinely interested kept Kelly talking.

“Mum burst into tears, wrapped me in her arms, and said, I’ve dusted that chair off more times than I can remember. At times, when you girls were fast asleep, I’d go out to the garage and sit in your father’s chair. Sometimes I’d smile, other times I’d get angry at him for leaving us.”

A tear slid down Kelly’s cheek. “I know she didn’t mean that in a nasty way, it wasn’t like Dad had a choice about dying.”

Suddenly feeling self-conscious, Kelly sniffled. “Anyway, mum was delighted and here I sit spilling my guts to you as if I’ve known you forever.”

Ashleigh set her empty glass on the coffee table. “That’s the thing, Kelly. I feel it too, it’s as if we’ve known each other for a lifetime.”

A phone chirped and they both glanced down.

“It’s mine,” Ashleigh declared, swiping the screen.

Fascinated, Kelly watched Ashleigh’s expression go from neutral, to smiling, to bashful. She glanced up and saw Kelly watching.

“It’s Craig.” She cleared her throat, but didn’t elaborate.

Seeing her opportunity to dodge a bullet, Kelly took it. “Well then, you better get going, don’t keep the man waiting.”