Naturally, Joan Wetherby has been protesting quite loudly around town that a widow of my standing should not allow a strange man to take up residence on my property. She even raised the issue at the last CWA meeting, can you believe? Suggesting my actions were condemning the entire town to moral degradation. Said I never did give due respect to the relationship between a man and woman, and that I have gone completely mad as is evidenced by the fact I continue to refuse to wear shoes to our meetings. I have had my fill of that woman.

I resigned. Needless to say I shall not be winning any ribbons at the next fair for my baking.

Father’s health worsens. He has stopped lecturing now and he and Mother spend their time in their apartment. I visit often and even suggested to Father I move there while he is so ill. He laughed and asked if I was trying to kill him faster. You see, it seems Mother is around him far more when I am there than when I am not and the peace of her absence is what is keeping him going. I write to him every week and he is still able to read my letters for himself and takes great joy in them.

Lucy has a cousin in Kingsford who has offered to put me up for as long as I need should it come to that.

I must go. Fabricio will be here shortly to cook dinner for Lucy and me. One of his many talents. He is actually quite a wonderful fellow. I wonder if he has a cousin we could impose upon to take on Joan and whisk her back to Italy?

Missing you dearly,

Forever yours,

Ivy

PS The Rangers play their first grand final next week – against the Wolves. The entire town is abuzz and we all plan to attend. Even me.

Nicole folded the letter and put it back. She looked at her phone. Damn. She was late for trivia. Again.

When Nicole got to The Royal, the others were sitting there, chatting quietly. Jason had held off on the questions at the behest of Mandy and a promise of a tray of lamingtons. But the second Nicole walked in, he started.

‘Which Greek goddess has the symbol of the moon, or the deer?’

Nicole looked to Mandy who stared back at her with a blank expression. She turned to Danny. He smiled and gently brushed her thigh with his hand. That was no help. And it made her blush. He wrote down the answer: ‘Artemis’.

As the questions rolled out, Danny got up to refresh everyone’s drinks. He placed a hand on Nicole’s shoulder as he passed and squeezed gently. It was a simple gesture, but a powerful one.