‘Thank you.’ She smooths over her floral wrap dress that she splurged on last weekend. She’s going to be too dressed up for the pub, but it’s her birthday and she wants to look better than she feels.

‘I thought we were meeting you there?’ Darcy glances at the clock on the dresser. Their reservation is still half an hour away.

‘I wanted to see you.’ He moves closer, taking her hand. ‘I’m sorry about this morning.’

She braces herself, waiting for his speech, wondering what tactic he’ll use to try and convince her that they should move back here.

‘I won’t take the job,’ he says, his light brown eyes staring into hers. ‘I’ll come back to Sydney after this term finishes, just like we planned.’

Darcy shifts, unable to let herself smile just yet. She’s surprised he’s given up so easily. It’s unlike him. ‘Really?’

He nods. ‘I want to be with you, Darce. If you don’t think we can make it work if I stay here, then I’ll come back to Sydney.’

Darcy suddenly feels awful. ‘I don’t want to give you an ultimatum.’

‘I know, but like you said, there’s no work for you back here.’ He gives a small smile. She can tell he’s more resigned than excited about his decision.

‘Are you sure you’re going to be okay back there?’ After all, he had told her he was drowning in Sydney.

‘Of course.’ He squeezes her hand. ‘I’ll be with you.’ He leans in and gives her a kiss.

He’s just said everything she wanted to hear. She should be soaring but instead a dull flatness moves through her body.

On the way to the pub, Drew doesn’t stop talking about the fete. He gives her a detailed account of who won each prize at the school raffle. Darcy tries to concentrate on his words, but her mind keeps drifting back to Sydney, back to the weekend she would be having if she’d stayed there. She’d probably be having drinks with Ed and Sienna about now …

‘You all right?’ He pulls up and turns the engine off.

‘Just tired.’ She leans the side of her head against the backrest of the seat. ‘Maybe we could just get some takeaway? Mum and Dad wouldn’t mind.’ Her parents were meeting them for dinner but had left earlier, her mum trying to give them extra alone time.

‘It’s your birthday. We’re not getting takeaway! Come on, once you’re inside you’ll feel better.’ Drew ushers her from the car. He squeezes her hand as though their earlier fight had been forgotten. And maybe it should be, but Darcy can’t seem to let it go.

They walk into the pub and Darcy goes towards the bar, assuming they’ll order a drink before dinner, but Drew gently pulls her hand. ‘This way.’