Page 2 of Return to the Waratah Inn

“That’s what I’m here for, my love.”

“Now, tell me about your lawn bowls competition. How did it go?”

Mima cocked her head to one side. “You’ll never guess what happened.”

“I’m dying to know.”

“Neville—you know, the guy who’s always prancing around declaring how good he is, how his ball just glides across the grass, and we mortals couldn’t possibly understand where his talent comes from?”

Kate giggled. “I remember Neville.”

“Well, he tripped and fell on the first bowl. His ball didn’t even make it to within a metre of the jack, and he couldn’t take another turn because he’d twisted his ankle. Judy had to get him an ice pack and sit with him for the rest of the competition. She missed out entirely.”

“Neville’s such a troublemaker,” Kate teased with a grin. “And Judy is a bit of a gold digger.”

“She’s got her eyes on his Kirra Beach penthouse, that’s for sure. And I say go for it. You only live once—it might as well be in a penthouse overlooking one of the most gorgeous beaches in the world. Even if you do have to pander to Neville’s ego to get it.”

“Well, well, well, Mima. I’m surprised at you!” Kate pretended to look scandalised.

The two of them chuckled heartily.

After they finished the tea and cake and finalised the menu for the next week, Mima helped Kate out of the armchair, and they both waddled back to the kitchen.

“I’m going to finish up the lunch shift for you, love,” Mima said.

Kate shook her head sternly. “No, I’m fine—I can do it. Honestly, I was only having a whinge. I’ll be okay now that the sugar has kicked in.”

Mima waved her off. “Honey, I can’t let you do that. You look like that baby is about to drop out onto the hardwood floor. You should stay off your feet. When are you going to take maternity leave? I think that should’ve been about a month ago, if you’re looking for my input. Which I’m sure you’re not.”

She helped Kate into a chair at the small dining table beside the kitchen where they all used to sit and eat together before the extension.

Kate inhaled a slow breath. “I know you’re right, but I couldn’t bring myself to step away and let someone else take over. Who should do it? I’ve got a stack of resumes on my desk in the office, how do I choose someone?”

“Well, never mind all that now. You sit here, I’ll get you another cuppa, and you can put your feet up while I get things sorted in here. There’s hardly anything left to do anyway.”

“Thanks, Mima. You’re the best.”

She poured Kate another cup of tea, then headed into the adjoining kitchen. There was a small black stereo on the bench, its antenna pointing high above it. Music played so softly, Mima could barely hear it above the din of activity. As she walked by it, she turned the knob, raising the volume.

“Here come the men in black…” The song burst from the stereo speakers, along with a jaunty rhythm that made Mima want to break into the jitterbug, but she was afraid she might fracture a hip if she did. Instead, she swayed along to the rhythm as she got to work wiping down the bench tops with a clean cloth.

“What’s this song?” she shouted over the music. “I like it!”

Kate shook her head. “Mima, you’re such a rock star!”

Mima hammed up her dance, cracking the cloth in the air like a whip until Kate’s bump wobbled with laughter.

Just then, Kate blanched. She pressed a hand to her stomach and let the china cup clatter onto its saucer. Mima turned down the music.

“What’s wrong, love?”

“I think my water broke.”

Chapter Two

January 1998

Cabarita Beach