She went as far as the corner, stopped and looked along the street towards the pub. Loud voices, laughter and music carried on the breeze. She should just walk on and join Flynn and Kat but she realised there was another pub opposite. Flynn hadn’t said which pub they were going to and she didn’t want to be wandering in search of them. She could send him a text. She took out her phone then realised she didn’t have his number and tossed it back in her bag.

“Damn.”

She gave one more wistful look in the direction of the pubs then turned off along the side street. Anna’s shop was in darkness but the outside light was on for her to find her way to the back door. She sighed. The jewellery group at Rainbow River had been such a lot of fun and she’d forgotten about the teaching paperwork for a while.

“What are you standing out here in the dark for?”

Keely jumped and spun around. Sean was standing on the path, his hands on his hips.

“Oh.” She breathed out. “I’ve just finished at Mary’s. Your mum said I could wait for Flynn at your place.”

“You’d better come in then,” Sean said. “Flynn could be a while. He and that bird from River Dynasty have got their heads locked together in a corner of the pub. They’re so engrossed they’ve hardly noticed anyone else. I’ve been down having a final drink before exams with some mates. Flynn barely knew who I was.” Sean grinned. “He’s only got eyes for her.”

He pushed open the gate and led the way down the side of the house. Keely followed with heavy steps. The shine was quickly evaporating from her night.

It was more than an hour later when Flynn burst through Anna’s door. “Are you ready, Keely? Sorry we’re so late. Kat has the engine running.”

“If we’d have known, Keely could have slept the night here, Flynn,” Anna said.

Keely stood up from the table where she’d spent the time sipping a cup of tea and dithering over the forms while Anna and Sean prepared pastries for the next morning’s baking. Sean was on a high. School days were nearly finished forever for him. What a wonderful feeling that must be. Every stroke of the pen on the papers Megan had left stripped one more layer from the barricade Keely had built between her and her teaching. She should just say no but faced with their determination, and in Megan’s case desperation, she couldn’t summon the courage.