By the time I have untacked and rubbed down Keith, Bonnie has returned from her ride and the yard is full of tourists needing assistance. I am only too happy to help them, but despite ferrying tack and returning borrowed hats, I make sure that I know where Kit is at all times. Tui is still dangling off him like a spider monkey, gazing at him with all the awe and adoration that I feel, yet am unable to show. Bonnie, too, looks happy to see her old friend, but I also clock her exclamation of surprise as she greets him. Clearly, my mother did not know that Kit was going to turn up today either.

My phone beeps with a message. It’s Hayley, informing me that she and Billy were delayed in Dubai, and as a result, they have missed their connecting flight out of Melbourne, causing them a day’s delay. Flicking my eyes in Kit’s direction yet again, I am ashamed of how relieved I feel to unexpectedly have the evening free.

I’m just tapping out a quick sympathetic reply when Bonnie joins me. She is sporting flattened hat hair from her recent ride, but looks aglow with happiness.

‘I can put that away for you,’ she says, removing Merlin’s saddle from my arm. ‘You’re taking the rest of the afternoon off.’

‘What?’ I ask, puzzled. ‘Why? I told you I didn’t need any time off yet – and anyway, my friends aren’t coming until tomorrow now.’ I hold up my phone.

Bonnie fixes me with one of what I have learned are her ‘Mum knows best’ stares.

‘Even more reason to take advantage, then,’ she says, and this time I see the hint of a glint in her bright blue eyes.

‘But …’ I protest, as she turns to go, ‘I don’t have any plans. I don’t even know what I’d do.’

Bonnie’s expression is loaded with undeniable suggestion, and she looks first towards Kit, then back at me.

‘Oh, don’t worry,’ she says, her tone light and teasing, ‘I’m sure between the two of you, you’ll think of something.’

48

‘Where are we going?’ I ask Kit, fastening my seatbelt as he puts the jeep into gear.

‘You remember that other big hill I once told you about?’ he says.

‘Queenstown Hill?’ I recall, and he gives me a one-handed thumbs-up.

‘That’s the fella. I thought we could climb it.’

‘Any particular reason why?’

‘That’s for me to know.’ He gives me a sidelong look.

‘And me to find out?’ I counter hopefully.

‘All in good time, you little lamp dweller.’

‘Well, that’s a new one.’

‘Really? Have you never heard your name before?’