Trouble was, it had foiled Natalie’s escape plan. She hadn’t said anything to Brenda, of course. After she’d rung off she’d been close to the little town where she was now having lunch. She’d pulled in and sat a moment in her car. Her eyes had filled with tears for the loss of the opportunity to be with her friend. The visit had been whisked from her grasp and had taken the excitement of her escape with it. Heavy legs had carried her inside the bakery where the smell of pastries stirred her hunger.

Now as she nibbled carefully at the piping hot pasty she considered her options. She could simply turn around and go home again but a feeling of disappointment accompanied that idea. Or, she could keep driving and simply pick another destination. The thought of that both thrilled and terrified her. She’d never gone off on her own before, couldn’t imagine what that would be like.

The brochures were still on the back seat of her car but she took out her phone instead and googled holiday destinations. She added ‘escape’ and ‘winter’ and the first thing that appeared on her screen was Best Winter Sun Holiday Destinations in Australia and at the top of the list was Broome, Western Australia. Perhaps Google had read her thoughts, like it tracked her online history. She’d wanted to go to Broome since the article on pearls had piqued her interest along with the idea of a thirtieth wedding anniversary holiday. That hadn’t happened but she had only thought of it as deferred, and had imagined Broome would be a place she and Milt would explore together, but now…The doubt washed over her again.

Outside a shower of rain blew in along the street. Not enough to be of any use. She stared out at the bleak day. Several people rushed past, huddled against the cold. In the warmth of the bakery, Natalie was trying to make a decision when her phone rang. The sudden sound startled her. She stabbed yes to accept without looking to see who it was.

“Natalie?”

She stiffened.

“Natalie, are you there?” Nancy Phelps’s voice boomed in her ear.

“Yes.” Damn! Why had she answered without checking the caller ID first?

Nancy kept talking, her voice loud in Natalie’s ear. “You missed the netball meeting last week but I’ve still put you in charge of the catering. Young Bonnie said she’d do it but she’s so unreliable. I said she could help you. You’ve got more common sense than the rest of the committee put together.”