Euan frowned at his sister. “Anna understands these things better than me,” he said. “I have enough trouble sorting out my own love life.

“That’s such an avoidance,” Maggie snapped. “Bloody Anna! She interferes far too much.”

Maggie went into the kitchen and started clattering plates in the sink. Euan followed her.

“She’s a close family friend. Anyway, what’s the difference? You’re interfering.”

Maggie stopped stacking plates and turned to look at him. “I am family. Besides, I’m trying to get you to make a decision so that everyone knows where they stand and you can all get on with your lives. I’m not trying to make the choice for you, Euan. Only you can decide whether you want Flynn to stay and play a full role in the family business. If you can’t let him do that, then cut him loose and let him go somewhere else. He deserves a chance to make a go of things just like you did when you were his age.”

Euan glared at his sister. She wasn’t usually this direct. “Perhaps you’re right…”

“Thank goodness you can see sense.”

“I mean about me needing to make my own choices. I need some thinking time. Flynn’s in Perth and who knows when he’ll be back, Keely’s teaching all day and Dianna’s not coming till tomorrow. I could do with some solitude.” He looked pointedly at Maggie.

“I’ll be gone when I’ve finished the washing. Then you can have your wish of some peace and quiet.” She brushed past him to the laundry door. “Oh, and one other thing that your precious Anna hasn’t got right. Flynn and Kat are just good mates. It’s as plain as the nose on your face that Keely is the one for him. They just need some time to realise it for themselves.”

Maggie swept through the laundry door and shut it firmly behind her. Euan shook his head.

Chapter 33

CHAPTER 33

Keely was anxious. For two days she’d been anxious. It hovered at the edge of everything she did, robbing her of sleep and draining her ability to think clearly. She’d just finished her second day of teaching. There were still things to be cleaned up before she could go home, but she couldn’t bring herself to move from behind the desk where she’d crumpled into a chair once the last group of students had left.