Flynn studied his father across the table. The lines were deeper on his face, his hair wispier. He looked thinner, older. They were both good winemakers. Surely Flynn had developed his passion at Euan’s knee. Flynn had been so excited when Euan had finally given in and let him create two blends but, as the months passed, he was disappointed when Euan showed little interest in their progress. Now he was wiping away Flynn’s dream. They had a dry white blend, the SBS, which showed great promise and Euan was telling him he couldn’t do it next year.

“Damn it, Euan.” He thumped the table and pushed back his chair. “You haven’t even tasted it. It’s a bloody good wine. There’s interest in these blends in the market and you’re dismissing it without a chance.”

Euan stood opposite him. His voice was low. “You’ve had your little experiment. Anyway, you’ve still got the red blend. I’ve let you have full control of that.”

“But the SBS is good, too.”

They glared at each other across the table. The silence was broken by a knock at the door. Kat waved from the other side of the glass. Flynn lifted his hand in acknowledgement.

“I thought you were taking Keely to town,” Euan growled.

“Kat is coming along for the ride.”

“You’re spending a lot of time with that girl.”

“That’s one part of my life you have no control over.” Flynn grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair and let himself out.

“That looked a bit intense.” Kat nodded back towards the house as he followed her to her car.

“Euan and I don’t see eye to eye on everything.”

She stopped, stepped closer, peered at him. “You look upset, what is it?”

“Nothing I can’t sort out. Don’t worry about me. You sound like the one with the problem. What’s up?”

“Let’s not talk about it yet. I’m looking forward to that drink.”

They got into the little red sports car.

“We need to go via the studio to pick up Keely,” Flynn said as Kat started the motor. “Turn right after the house.”

* * *

Keely heard the vehicle and was already shutting the front door of the studio when Flynn stepped under the verandah.

“Ready to go?”

“Yes.” She bent to pick up her backpack. She was looking forward to going to Mary’s gathering. She’d had a satisfying afternoon sorting through her jewellery kit and she’d finished another bottle decoration. Now, as she followed Flynn around to the car, she was also looking forward to the drive with him.

She paused as she came to the back of the studio and saw the red sports car parked at the end of the track.