“Hello, Keely.” Kat waved. Her thick brown hair was swept up onto her head and covered with a scarf, and gold earrings gleamed from her ears, matching the bracelet that jiggled on the arm she rested along the back of the seat. She looked the picture of elegance.

“Hi, I didn’t realise you were…” Keely stopped as Flynn opened the door and indicated the front seat for her. “No, I’ll sit in the back.”

“That’s my spot.” He grinned. “I’m the thorn behind the two roses.”

“I don’t want to be a bother. I don’t have to go.”

“It’s no bother,” he said, clambering into the cramped space.

“Not all.” Kat patted the seat. “Hop in.”

Keely stepped into the little car but the seat was lower than she anticipated and she lost her balance. She fell the last distance to the seat with a thud.

“Careful,” Flynn said. “That caught me out earlier.”

“I’m the impromptu add-on, I’m afraid,” Kat said. “Flynn has kindly offered to give me an ear to confide in.”

“Is that what I’m doing? I thought you were buying me a drink.”

“That too.” Kat chuckled, put the car into gear and sped up the track.

“That’s if you get us there in one piece,” Flynn yelled.

Keely grabbed at her hair, which was flying in all directions and whipping around her face. So much for a leisurely drive!

* * *

Anna waved to them from the front gate as Kat cruised past. She did a quick U-turn and pulled up in front of Anna. Keely felt her hair slowly settle around her like leaves after a whirlwind. A quick glance in the side mirror gave her a glimpse of the wild tangle on her head.

“Hello, you three. What are you up to?”

Flynn jumped out and opened Keely’s door. “Keely’s off to creative business at Mary’s and Kat and I are going to the pub.”

“That sounds like a good evening for everyone,” Anna said.

Keely was trying to push her hair back into some order and reach for her backpack at the same time.

Flynn offered his hand to help her out. She struggled up onto the footpath and stood next to Anna, clutching her pack to her chest with one hand and trying to tidy her hair with the other.

“You need to tie your hair up when you travel in an open car.” Anna smiled at Kat, who was now removing her scarf.

Keely grimaced through her hair and adjusted her hold on her pack. She would have worn one if she’d known.

“How long will you be at Mary’s?” Flynn asked.

“I’m not sure.”

“The pub’s just down the road from Mary’s. Do you want to come down for a drink when you’ve finished?”