“Where’s Steve?” Keely looked towards the door. She hoped he was designated driver. Both Marty and Mike looked a little worse for wear.

“He’s with the old guy over at the bar.” Marty nodded over his shoulder and swayed.

“He says he knows every surf spot between here and the top of WA,” Mike said.

Keely looked the other way to where Steve was in earnest conversation with Euan at the bar. He looked steady enough. There was an empty table beside her.

“Shall we sit down?” she said.

They all reached for chairs to drag up to the table.

“We’re heading north next week,” Mike said. “Steve’s mate has to go back to work in Perth. We’re going to try the surf further up the coast.” He nodded in Euan’s direction. “The old bloke says that’s where the best action is at this time of the year.”

Keely looked from Mike to Marty. They were both smiling at her, and Marty’s look was almost imploring. She felt a pang of sadness. They were moving on. Their paths might never cross again. She hadn’t spent a lot of time with them but it had been comforting to know they were around.

“What about you, Keely?” Marty asked, and he looked steadily into her eyes. “Are you heading north yet? Do you want to come with us?”

“I’m not sure.” She looked away, fiddled with the little scarecrow stand on the table, brushed at some scattered crumbs. “I’ve got a few days’ work here next week.”

“At the winery?” Marty asked.

“No, at the school.” As soon as Keely said the words, her stomach tumbled and the day seemed dull.

“Can we buy you a drink?” Marty asked.

“You don’t need to do that.” A glass of wine appeared in front of her and Keely looked up into Flynn’s unreadable expression. He held out a hand to Marty and Mike in turn. “I’m Flynn Levallier.”

“So, the guy at the bar is your old man,” Mike said.

“That’s right.”

“I guess you know all about the surf like he does.”

“Not really. Surfing’s not my thing. Can I get you blokes a drink?”

“Maybe a glass of red,” Mike said. “What do you reckon, Marty?”

“Sure, my shout.” Marty reached for his wallet.

“No, put that away,” Flynn said. “You’re friends of Keely’s, this one’s on the house.”

Keely watched him walk away. It was great to catch up with Marty and Mike but she wished it were Flynn she was sharing a drink with.

“Nice bloke,” Mike said. “No wonder you’re not interested in Marty.”

“Mike,” Marty groaned.

Keely felt the heat in her cheeks and there was no hair to hide it.

“Hello, Keely.”

She looked up and felt the burn deepen. She’d never actually officially met the guy standing beside her but she knew who he was.