Keely stepped through the front door of Anna’s Kitchen. It was buzzing with people lined up at the counter and Anna was busy serving them. Keely waited to one side and looked at the sweets on display behind the glass counter nearest her. Anna had all sorts, from scones and muffins to little glazed fruit tarts and cakes filled with cream. They looked tempting but Keely didn’t feel hungry. She was still a little tender from the doctor’s prodding fingers.

Euan had dropped her in town earlier for her check-up. She’d had to sit quite a while in the busy surgery before someone could see her. The doctor had been thorough. A woman only a little older than Keely, she’d been chatty, wanting to know all about the op and how she’d ended up in Margaret River. The doctor had pronounced progress was good, the dressings had come off and the wounds were healing well, but she suggested Keely should continue to take things easy for a few more days.

Her next stop had been at River Rainbow. She’d spent a bit there again. Thank goodness she’d been able to unblock her card once her phone was returned.

She smiled at the memory of the delightful half-hour she’d just frittered away with Mary. Finding someone with a knowledge of jewellery-making was a pleasure for both of them. Mary had started telling her about a jewellery group that met at River Rainbow but when Keely had realised the time she’d apologised and hurried off to Anna’s. Euan had arranged for Flynn to collect her from the cafe when he came into town in the late afternoon. She knew he hadn’t been happy about it and she didn’t want to give him cause to be annoyed if she wasn’t there when he arrived.

She looked around. More customers came into the shop but there was no sign of Flynn. A yelp erupted from behind the counter.

“Sam, you’re in Gran’s way,” Anna snapped.

“Tom hit me,” a small voice wailed.

Keely leaned over the counter. “Can I help, Anna?”

Anna’s harried look changed to relief. “Oh, Keely dear, that would be wonderful.”

“What would you like me to do?” Keely walked around the counter, uncomfortable with the scrutiny from customers caused by Anna’s gushing response.

“I wouldn’t expect you to understand the workings of the coffee machine, dear.” Anna patted Keely’s hand. “Do you think you could keep the boys amused out the back? Tom’s meant to be doing homework. I’m on my own here till Sean gets in and it’s suddenly got busy.”

Keely clenched her teeth at Anna’s tone. She could manage a coffee machine quite well. She’d worked at a cafe in her uni days but she wasn’t about to explain that to Anna, in front of all these people.