Euan’s face crinkled into a grin and deep smile lines formed on Flynn’s as his lips turned up. Keely held her breath. She was growing to love that smile.

“Yes, Noddy, I know we don’t always provide a gourmet meal but we have damn good wine,” Euan said.

There were some cheers and murmurs of agreement.

“Anyway,” Euan continued, “Anna has outdone herself with another superb birthday cake, which Flynn is going to cut.”

He handed Flynn a knife. There was a moment’s pause as both Levallier men studied each other then Flynn stepped forward.

“Before I do, I’d like to thank Euan and Pam for organising tonight. Thanks for coming everyone and for the food you’ve brought, especially Anna for the cake.” Flynn’s eyes searched the crowd.

Keely glanced around. She couldn’t see Anna but she noticed Kat standing near the food table.

“And thanks to our South Aussie visitor, Keely. She’s done a lot towards preparation for tonight and I really appreciate her help.”

Keely could feel the warmth spread up her neck to her cheeks and she pressed back against a wall, not wanting to be seen.

“Cut the cake,” Noddy yelled from close beside her and there was soon a chorus singing ‘Happy Birthday’, as Flynn did the honours.

Someone shouted out a toast and three cheers. Kat offered Flynn a glass of wine and then there was the sound of clinking glasses as the group closest to him urged Flynn to give Kat a kiss. Keely watched him hesitate then Kat moved closer and kissed him.

It was a brief brush of their lips but Keely’s heart sank. She knew they were good friends, an item, her mother would say, but she found herself wishing she were the one kissing Flynn. Not here in front of everyone, but somewhere away from the crowd, just the two of them.

“They make a lovely couple, don’t they?” Anna murmured in her ear.

Keely shivered and spun around. Anna was standing on her other side.

“They’re good friends,” Keely mumbled and looked down as she recalled Anna’s words about the way Keely looked at Flynn.

“More than that, I’d say…”

Raised voices from the group beside them made them both look around.

Noddy was climbing onto the keg table again.

“You want finely tuned bodies, check out this one,” he called to one of the girls beside him.

He hauled his lanky frame up, downed the shot glass of liquid then undid his belt. His jeans slipped down to reveal a pair of gangly legs emerging from snug-fitting boxers.

He slapped his behind. “How’s that for a fine set of chiselled buttocks,” he called. Then he whooped and leaned forward in a surfing pose, but at that moment the table wobbled and he lost his balance.