Bonnie now looks to Ty as she steps towards him.

There’s a softness in his face, yet he still looks worn. This process seems to be getting harder for him.

‘Will you accept this key?’ he asks, holding out the golden antique key, a symbol of hope and the possibility of love.

There are still things to be discussed, still decisions to be made, but she nods. ‘Of course.’ Her chance for love isn’t over yet.

Chapter 33

33

‘Hello! Come in, come in!’ Lara says, her arms outstretched, her voice loud. There’s already a general buzz of women, which makes Penelope feel uncomfortable. She didn’t realise other people had been invited. ‘It’s just about to start.’

‘What’s about to start?’ But she already knows. Of course Lara would be into it.

‘The One,’ Lara says. ‘You’re watching it, aren’t you?’

‘I’ve seen bits and pieces.’ Which isn’t a lie. She’s tried to watch it several times but always ends up having to turn it off.

She follows Lara into the lounge room. A pile of toys has been pushed to the side and the house is in a general state of disarray. Penelope has to give Lara credit for not caring what other people think. There is no way she’d ever have people over if her house looked like this. Mind you, she doesn’t have kids, won’t have kids, so it won’t be a problem. Instead, her place is immaculate, and since moving in no one except herself has set foot inside her unit.

‘This is Penelope.’ Lara proudly presents her new friend to the group. ‘This is Natalie, Nicole and Melinda.’

Pleasantries are exchanged. They all seem nice enough, but Penelope immediately wishes she hadn’t come. This isn’t her kind of thing.

A platter of cheese, dips and chocolates is set up on the coffee table, along with wine glasses. Without asking, Lara pours Penelope a glass and hands it over. It’s been a while since Penelope’s had alcohol, but she’s grateful it gives her something to do with her hands.

‘What a spread,’ Penelope comments, more to make conversation than anything else.

‘Oh, this is nothing!’ Lara picks up the platter, thrusting it towards Penelope so she feels like she needs to take something. ‘You should see how much there is when it gets to the finale.’

Penny bites into a cracker but the taste of bile comes up the back of her throat.

‘Oh, shh! It’s starting!’

‘Oh, he’s so dreamy,’ Melinda purrs as the opening credits roll.

‘I love this shot of him with his shirt off.’

‘This shot?’ Lara remarks. ‘He gets his shirt off nearly every episode!’ She leans forward to cut herself a piece of cheese and sips on her wine. ‘Not that I’m complaining.’

Penelope gulps her wine.