“Bec’s moved back into the main house with Mum now that she’s so far along, so I’ll have Nan’s old granny flat to myself. It’s not a whole cottage but…”

“Kate…”

“I just want you to know that you have other options in the meantime.”

Tilly’s brow furrowed. “In the meantime?”

“Before next term starts. You know, while you’re figuring out where you want to rent in the city again to be close to St. Matthew’s.”

The way Tilly’s eyes tracked over her face—curious, reticent—made the hair stand on the back of her neck. Had she said the wrong thing? Oh God. The ramp lifted higher, splitting the sunset and making it harder to read Tilly’s expression. Higher, higher. Finally secured, the ramp locked loudly. Darkness set in.

If it wasn’t for the sunlight streaming through the narrow divide between the ramp and the undercarriage, Kate wouldn’t have been able to see the torment in Tilly’s eyes. “You know, nothing’ll change.” Her hand relaxed around Tilly’s. “We can take it so slowly. I mean, you could have the granny flat and I could sleep on the pullout in my niece’s room, in the main house. I just…I want you to know that you have options, Til. You don’t have to stay holed up at St. Joan’s being made to feel ashamed.”

“But I like it there. I feel safe—”

“You feel safe with me too,” Kate interjected, her hand jumping from Tilly’s to caress the muscle above Tilly’s knee. “I know you do.”

For a long moment, Tilly was quiet. “I never said anything about renting in the city to be near St. Matthew’s,” she whispered.

Kate sat forward. “Yeah, I just assumed that was what you’d do considering it’s what you did last time you were at St. Matthew’s.” There was another option?

Tilly’s lips wavered. “I have to tell you something.”

Kate’s heart slowed. “What?”

“I haven’t accepted St. Matthew’s. I…I’ve been offered a position at St. Joan’s for next year.” Her voice tore at the edges. “Full-time.”

The hot air in the car grew thick. As Tilly wiped at her cheeks, Kate pulled her hand from Tilly’s knee. “Oh.”

The sudden onslaught of light was blinding. Kate shielded her eyes to find Colin standing in front of Tilly’s bonnet, torch in hand and pointed on them. Growling, Kate reached over Tilly and smacked her hand in the centre of the steering wheel. At the quick blast of the horn, Colin jumped through his skin.

Kate held up two fingers, shook them at him as Tilly chuckled through tears. Two minutes, Colin. Please. In a huff, he lowered the torch and headed off again.

Not even the sweet sound of Tilly’s laugh could quell the fear swelling in her heart. “Til…you cannot take St. Joan’s for next year. Please.”

Nervously, Tilly pinched her crucifix between her thumb and forefinger. “If something happens and the St. Kilda house falls through, or if that interview you have lined up for Lawson Grammar doesn’t work out, maybe you could come back next year too?” Her gaze was downcast, like she already knew Kate’s answer. “I’m sure they’d love to have you stay on. I know Cynthia’s moving into the cottage, but she could move back into the boarding house once we get the pipes fixed in her old suite.”