‘We wouldn’t say no to some help,’ Taylor admits, scratching his head as he stares at the screw in his hand.

Owen and Liam immediately walk over and kneel down, leaving Hannah looking at me enquiringly.

‘What can I do to help?’ she asks.

Nico looks at me for direction, too.

‘Okay. Hannah, come with me. Nico, when Dee-Dee and Odile have finished cleaning the floor over there, maybe the three of you could unpack the rest of the interlocking mats? It’s that entire stack of boxes against the wall. You’ll have to lay a few rows at a time, clearing a space and cleaning the floor as you go. I’ll take Hannah over to the cottage to help Kellie begin setting things up. Nico, there are still a lot of craft boxes to be moved out of here.’

‘Great. I’m on it,’ Nico replies, giving me a wink.

He’s like a totally different person today and it’s good to see him so eager to press on.

Hannah and I head over to the cottage and I’m feeling content.

‘Kellie is a little star. She came for a week and stayed on. There hasn’t been a craft teacher here for many months and Dee-Dee’s textile class is so busy she doesn’t have time to cover both. I stepped in briefly, but it’s not my thing. Kellie has a lot of patience and will give anything a go.’

Hannah nods, taking it all in. ‘How long will she be here?’

‘Well, I don’t think Kellie is planning on leaving us for a little while, but her term here depends on a number of things. She’s been through a lot recently, and I think she’d really appreciate a little company; someone of her own age. You know, relatable.’

Hannah gets my drift.

‘It’s not at all what I’d imagined, Fern, but I’m so glad you found this. It’s very you. Backpacking isn’t your style and now I can see why you and Aiden decided to do your own thing. We are going to see one of your paintings before we go, aren’t we?’

I smile at her, taking in every little nuance of her face. She’s relieved that I’m settled and has satisfied herself I’m okay. It’s strange knowing that Hannah is worrying about me now, when it’s always been the other way around.

‘We’ll see,’ I laugh. ‘I’m still a little hesitant to show anyone my work, but my confidence is growing daily. Anyway, it’s wonderful of you all, pitching in to help out. And much appreciated. Everyone’s livelihood here depends on this exciting new phase. They are a bunch of good people genuinely wanting to do good things.’

‘What sort of visitors come to stay?’ she asks, genuinely interested.