“We also need to be practical.” Anna tutted. “There’s a teacher shortage. Last term Megan went back to school when she was still getting over a nasty wog because there was no one to take her class.”

“I won’t be here for much longer…” Keely stumbled over the words and was relieved when Terry asked Kat about her family winery and turned the attention of the table elsewhere.

Keely noticed Kat hesitate before she spoke. She hadn’t appeared to be the shy type, just the opposite really. Self-assured and confident was how Keely would describe her. Keely felt like a faded flower in comparison to the vibrant Katerina.

Anna’s beautiful roast congealed on Keely’s plate. She could only pick at it. Her hunger had waned, as had the shine on the evening. The talk of teaching had brought all the old demons out to haunt her again. Just the thought of walking into a classroom made her tender stomach churn.

“So Flynn, do you need any help with the Divine Wine and Dine weekend?” Sean asked later as the teas and coffees were passed around.

Flynn lowered his gaze. Keely thought he looked uncomfortable and wondered why.

“I haven’t thought about it much yet,” he mumbled.

“Well, you’d better,” Sean said. “It’s only two weeks away. I think we’ve got everything organised here. I’ll be into exams but I could give you a hand if you like.”

“You’ll have your work cut out in the cafe,” Megan said and turned to Flynn. “There are a couple of kids in my home economics class who would love the experience.”

“Margs will be bursting at the seams again and we haven’t recovered from the school holidays yet.” Anna groaned.

Mary leaned into Keely’s ear. “I love it, though,” she said. “It’s full on but it’s fun.”

“Where is Margs?” Keely asked.

Mary chuckled. “It’s what some of us locals call the town, a kind of affectionate name for a friendly place. We literally overflow when we hold special weekends like the Divine Wine and Dine.”

“Margaret River is such a big region these days,” David said. “There’s a huge gourmet weekend later in the year but we’ve been running this smaller homegrown event for twelve years. It’s a fundraiser for local charities. It’s a good way to pull the community together and the money goes to a good cause.”

“David’s on the organising committee so he’s in the thick of it.” Mary patted her husband’s hand. “The phone has been running hot at our place.”

“Pappou has had everyone working around the clock so that the cellar-door extensions would be finished in time and Michael is preparing a gourmet menu,” Kat said. “It will be a big weekend.”

“It’s good to have Levallier Dell on the list this time, Euan,” David said.

“I didn’t know it was.”