He picked up the glasses, handed one to her again and tapped his against hers. “Here’s to a new venture for the two of us.”

“I said I had to think about it.”

They both sipped. The slightly bitter taste reached her tongue first and then the bubbles of the sparkling ale slid a refreshing trail down her throat.

“You haven’t got long. I’m leaving next week.”

Bree took another sip and this time the fizz was from the excitement building in her stomach. Could she do this? She wouldn’t be able to go when Owen did but maybe after tailing. Her dad could employ someone and she could take a break, try life with Owen, test their relationship in a different space.

“It’d only be for six months, Bree, nine at the most.”

“Nine!” She almost choked on the beer.

A few hundred kilometres away in Adelaide, Laura King sat in the middle of the little flat she shared with her friend Spritzi and looked at all her worldly goods stacked up around her in boxes and bags. Not a lot to show for six years of flatting but enough to cause some concern. Her car was a Hyundai hatch and while the boot was spacious for a small car, she wasn’t sure it would be spacious enough for the piles she was planning to pack into it.

“Here you are, girlfriend.” Spritzi came out of the shoebox they called a kitchen and handed Laura a coffee. “Are you sure you don’t want to take the coffee machine with you?”

“Mum and Dad have one.”

“What about your bed?”

“Mum and Dad have them too.”

Spritzi gave an eye roll. “It’s your bed.”

“It won’t fit in the car. With any luck your new flatmate will need it.”

Spritzi shifted Laura’s stack of pillows and quilt along the battered couch they’d picked up from kerbside rubbish when they’d first got the flat and plonked herself down.

“I’m sorry I can’t hold the space for you but you know I can’t afford the rent on my own. Bella’s coming Thursday to check the place out and with any luck she’ll move straight in.”

“Of course. And I’m not sure when or if I’ll be back so you have to get someone else.”