“I hope some of these people will be coming our way over the weekend,” Maggie said as they sidestepped another group peering in a shop window.

“Yes.” Keely agreed, although she wasn’t sure whether to hope they came for Flynn’s sake or hope they all stayed away for Euan’s.

“Hello, Keely, Maggie. It’s nice to see you back in Margs. It’s been a long time.”

They stopped and turned back. Neither of them had noticed Anna on the footpath.

“Hello, Anna,” Maggie said. “It’s good to be here.”

“It’ll be a busy weekend ahead. I’m glad Flynn has you there to support him. I can’t spare Sean, and Euan is still not coping with the idea of hordes of people at Levallier Dell.”

“He’s coming round,” Maggie said.

“Is he? Poor Flynn was quite down in the dumps about his lack of enthusiasm.”

“Flynn can be a worrier,” Maggie said. “Things are sorted out now.”

Keely glanced at Maggie and a picture of the glum faces of Flynn and Euan flashed through her head. Maggie’s lips were turned up in a little smile and her eyes gazed steadily at Anna, almost daring her to say otherwise.

“Oh, well…that’s good,” Anna said.

“We’ve all pitched in to get things ready. Keely has been a marvellous help.”

Anna turned her attention to Keely. “After the trouble of filling out the paperwork for relief teaching I heard you’d planned to move on but now Megan tells me you are working at her school next week.”

“Yes, I’ll be on my way after that.”

Anna searched her face and Keely sucked in a breath and studied the pavement at her feet.

“I guess that lovely Katerina has been busy at River Dynasty. Have you met her yet, Maggie?” Anna asked.

“Yes, Flynn has introduced me.”

Anna leaned in closer to Maggie. “She’s just perfect for him, don’t you think?”

Keely looked at the people strolling by, the shine fading from her shopping expedition.

“As always, Anna, you are far more well informed than I.” There was a stiffness to Maggie’s response.

Further down the street Keely noticed a battered green station wagon. She took a few steps towards it. There were a couple of boards tied to the racks on top. Perhaps Marty was in town. It would be nice to see a friendly face. She went closer and bent to look in the window.

“A car thief!”

Strong arms grabbed her and Keely let out a surprised yelp.

“Hello, Keely.”

She turned to look into the laughing faces of Steve and Mike.

“Marty’s not with us.” Mike grinned. “Steve’s mate is giving him a few lessons at the beginners’ pool.”