‘These are delicious,’ Nicole said, grabbing one – her second – and stuffing her mouth as they sat down.

‘A bit of a specialty of mine,’ Mandy said. ‘Once you’ve got the sponge right, the secret’s in the consistency of the icing.’ She winked.

‘I’ll take your word for it. Not much of a domestic goddess here. As you saw. Baking never was my strong point.’

‘Happy to show you someday.’

‘I may just take you up on that.’ Nicole smiled warmly.

They finished their lamingtons in silence and Nicole worked up the courage to explain herself. She knew it wasn’t necessary, but she owed Mandy something. Just, how could she explain anything, without explaining everything?

‘I, ah, really did want to say sorry.’ She took a deep breath.

Mandy’s expression was soft and warm. ‘Honey, you don’t need to explain yourself to me. I suspect there’s a whole lot more going on with you than a bit of an interest in a woman who’s been dead for a few decades.’

Nicole raised an eyebrow.

‘I read people. It’s a gift of mine. Besides, no one with their life totally together would have taken this renovation deal.’ She laughed gently.

Nicole’s life was certainly not together.

‘Look. It’s not my place to pry, but if you ever feel like talking about it, you always have me. If not, well, we’ve plenty of other excitement to keep us busy round here. This afternoon’s match, for example …’

Nicole laughed out loud.

‘You will join us, won’t you?’ Mandy asked.

‘Well, I am the lucky socks,’ Nicole replied with a shrug. ‘What choice do I have?’ She grinned.

‘Attagirl.’ Mandy chuckled.

‘Carn, Rangers!’ screamed a man standing right behind Nicole on the hill. The deafening cheer went up from the crowd as Danny crossed over the try line, extending their lead beyond the reach of the soon-to-be beaten Giants of neighbouring town Glensdale, some hundred clicks south of the cove. Some of the Giants supporters, unable to watch their team lose, started packing up their deckchairs and picnic blankets to head back to their homes. Nicole had never heard of the town, but she knew it would be a sad place to be tonight.

‘Never were a loyal crowd, that lot.’ Cheryl shook her head.

‘That’s one sure thing about the cove,’ Mandy said. ‘No matter how far down we’re beaten, we stick by our boys to the end.’

She waved to Trevor, who looked up from the sideline with a triumphant grin across his face.

‘No matter how bloody embarrassing it is,’ Mandy whispered in Nicole’s ear.

When the boys came off at full time, met with cheers and pats on the backs, they headed straight for Nicole.

Surrounding her in a happy huddle, they cheered. ‘Three cheers for Nicole. Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah.’

Danny lingered as the rest of the players went to join their families.