“Ah, but I’m rushing you, aren’t I? You are on holiday. How are you getting along with Flynn Levallier? He’s a hard-working young man.”

Kat was surprised by his change in conversation. “He seems like a nice guy…”

He put up his hand as his mobile rang. “You need time to think things over. Take a few more days and we’ll talk again.” He pulled the phone to his ear. “Yes, Tony.” His face creased into a frown. “No, don’t do anything. I’ll be right there.” He shoved the phone back in his pocket. “There’s a problem in the tasting room. You have a look at things here. Take your time. We’ll talk again later. I have to go.”

She sank into a chair and looked at the desk in front of her. Over it, she could see through the window to the vines, which she knew spread in every direction all around her. Poor Uncle Tony. Pappou might say that everyone had a bit of the business to manage but he still controlled everything.

Things weren’t turning out as she’d planned. The main reason for her holiday had been to unburden herself to her grandfather. Tell him of her plans and enlist his help to convince her parents. Now she was ensnared in an even bigger trap. Pappou wanted her to be part of his business. She stood up and paced the room. She loved it here but it was not where her future lay. She stopped and gazed out through the window again. The trouble was, when Pappou wanted something, he nearly always got it.

* * *

“So, you went ahead and bought it?”

“We don’t have a decent vehicle between us, Euan.”

The two men were standing just outside the kitchen window. Keely could hear every word.

“The Volvo is fine.”

“It’s falling apart and not suitable if we’re trying to impress customers.”

“I didn’t know we were.”

Euan had met them under the carport when they’d driven up in the new car. The tension between Euan and Flynn had been palpable. Keely had gathered her things from the offending vehicle and hurried inside. Now she stood at the bench quietly preparing the meal. She didn’t want to eavesdrop but before she could get out of the kitchen, the door slid open and Euan strode inside.

“Margaret River has changed.” Flynn followed him through the door. Neither of the men noticed Keely. “Bloody hell, the whole Australian wine industry has changed. If we don’t change with it, we’ll go under.”

“Things aren’t that bad. We can still manage as we have been.”