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“That’s impressive. We have honey and eggs, but no livestock. Luke and I are mostly vegetarian. Hence, my veggie patch. Here, come and see.” Behind an enclosed fence to keep the roos out, the fruit orchard, with nectarines and figs and avocado trees, was lush and verdant, despite the low rainfall Freya complained of. “We have a bore, but even that’s low this year,” she said, “and we practise permaculture, companion planting, and buy local whenever we can.”
“What a lovely way to live.”
“It is. So much better than banking. Both Oliver and Luke got out around the same time. The hours were punishing, and in the end, Luke realised the cost to his health and to us was too great to justify earning the big bucks. We may not be rich, but we’re so much happier. Here, could you hold Theo while I pick some veggies?” Felicity took him gladly. “So tell me, have you enjoyed Australia, so far?”
“I love it. It’s so different from anywhere else I’ve been.”
“How long have you and Oliver known each other?”
“Only a few weeks.” Felicity tried to fend off a blush as she filled Freya in briefly on how she’d planned a trip on her own—naively, in retrospect—and how Oliver had offered to come with her.
“Really, you’ve only just met?” Freya’s eyebrows lifted. Felicity nodded, shifting Theo onto her shoulder. She felt Freya’s bright gaze still on her. “Is there a budding romance?”
“No,” she managed to keep her voice even. “Definitely not.” Then, unable to stop herself, she added, “Why do you ask?”
“There’s an energy between you. And, after… I guess you know about his nasty break-up?” Felicity gave another nod. “It would be nice if he… well, anyhow…” Freya tugged at a hefty lettuce.
Felicity focused on making fun faces at Theo. “So, you’ve met Leonie then?” she asked casually.
“Only a couple of times. She struck me as a bit superficial, very into appearances. Oh, look, I don’t know. She was sweet. I guess I’m biased against her after what she did. And I’m so glad we couldn’t make the wedding. It would have been so horrible to see Oliver go through that public humiliation.” Freya stood up with her arms full of veggies. “So what now? Are you going to rent another camper and keep going?”
“I guess that’s something that we—” Stupid, there is nowe. “Ihave to decide,” she finished lamely.
“Well, if you are going to keep camping, let me give you some veggies to take with you.”
“Thank you, Freya, that’s really kind.”
* * *
Oliver putdown his knife and fork and relaxed back in his chair. “That was some meal.” He raised his glass in a toast. “Luke and Freya, thank you for your wonderful hospitality.”
“It’s been great to see you again,” Luke said, with a murmured affirmative from Freya. “From our point of view, it was a stroke of luck you happened to break down in Adelaide. But probably you don’t share that sentiment because it’s messed up your trip.” He looked from one to the other. “So, where to from here?”
An awkward pause. Oliver cleared his throat. “We haven’t really discussed it, but I do have some commitments I have to get back to Sydney for.” Out of the corner of his eye he could see Felicity’s fork stab at a pasta coil. “So, I guess we might have to fly.”
Felicity’s head shot up, eyes sparking.“Imight continue by road.”
“Sure. Yep. Guess that’s your decision to make,” he replied lamely, feeling like he’d been put firmly in his place.
Luke smiled. “We’ll leave you to work it out. We turn in pretty early. Theo wakes us at 4.30 most mornings.”
“Of course.”
Which meant they’d be alone. And Oliver wasn’t looking forward to the talk they needed to have. He’d organised for the Shaggin’ Wagon to be taken to a local mechanic, but it would probably end up as scrap. No hope of rectifying it in the short term. Truth was, he could spare the extra few days, but the idea of trying to find another van… Okay, so no, it wasn’t that. Or the time. It was the fact they’d be squeezed in together again, in that tight space with him wanting her still, yet so damn confused.
And if she decided to fly back to Sydney with him? Then what? Felicity would be in his apartment, the one he hadn’t stayed in since the day of the wedding. Oh, Christ, what a shit-fest. The mess of it gnawed at his gut. Muffled his brain like cotton wool. He realised he’d been miles away as Luke said, “Now, about sleeping arrangements?” with a rather pointed look in his direction. “Erm, separate rooms or together?”
“Separate,” said Felicity, so fast Oliver couldn’t even open his mouth. Her dimples taunted him as she smiled. “We’re only travelling companions.”
Touché.
After offering them tea and coffee and looking relieved when they both refused, Freya and Luke bade them goodnight and left.
An awkward silence fell over the table.
“More wine?” Oliver picked up the bottle.
“No thank you.”
