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‘Those of you who don’t have children don’t understand what we have to go through,’ Libby said, ‘though thank goodness, I only have one to worry about and she’s safely married. But we never stop worrying, do we?’ She looked around the group.

Cleo and Grace nodded.

‘I heard the police have been warning young women to watch out and not to go out alone at night,’ Greta said in a whisper.

‘Well, surely it’s only common sense? I’m glad to live in this secure community,’ Dot said, wrapping her arms around herself, as if, by doing so, she could prevent anything bad from happening.

Her words seemed to signify the evening was at an end, and they all began to gather up their belongings and hand their books back to Libby who placed them in the library box, before handing out next month’s read.

Cleo looked at the title and shuddered. In the present climate,Local Girl Missingby Claire Douglas wasn’t the most appropriate choice.

As soon as she reached her car, Cleo pressed Hannah’s number on her phone. She needed to hear her daughter’s voice, to reassure herself all was well. But the call went to voicemail. Berating herself for being so needy, Cleo turned the car radio’s volume up and drove home with a cacophony of rock music blaring in her ear.

Sixteen

Will knew he should contact Cleo Johansen again. It was almost a week since they’d started the ploy, and one dinner at the surf club hadn’t been enough to deter Joy Taylor from her pursuit of him. It would be no hardship to spend more time with the pretty, dark-haired woman. He even had Owen’s approval, though that presented a problem, given there was no truth to the relationship. But maybe they could do something with Coop and Ailsa again.

He hummed to himself as he filled a bowl with muesli and dropped a slice of bread into the toaster while he waited for the coffee to be ready, its fragrant aroma filling the kitchen. He missed Owen in the mornings, missed his son’s bleary morning face, his groans at having been wakened, and the way he always managed to spill milk on the table and leave his dirty dishes lying by the sink. Now the kitchen was always tidy – too tidy.

Will had a busy day ahead. First there was a surfing class with Year 8 students from Bellbird State College. Ted Crawford’s grandson, Zack, was part of this group and, whereas many of the students looked on the surf lesson as an opportunity to skive off school and play around in the water, Zack was different. He was a promising student who looked to be following in his grandfather’s footsteps to become a champion surfer.

He reminded Will of Owen at that age – all energy and enthusiasm and willing to learn. He’d go far.

In the afternoon, Will had arranged to catch up with Coop to fill him in on the carnival committee before tonight’s meeting – Will’s first as chair of the group. It was an awesome responsibility and would help fill his empty evenings now Owen had moved out.

The carnival would take place on Easter weekend and there was a lot to organise before then, including a fundraising drive. Then, as soon as the carnival was over, there was the triathlon to plan for, held in October, the same month as Breast Cancer Awareness, a charity which was dear to Will’s heart.

The morning flew by, with Will having to pull a couple of the boys aside and give them a stern talk about their attitude towards the girls in the group. While he enjoyed these sessions, he was glad he wasn’t a teacher who had to deal with them all day, every day. At least the surf lessons were ones in which they’d chosen to participate.

Will had arranged to meet Coop at the club for a late lunch, so, after a quick trip home for a shower and change, he headed there.

‘Hi, Will,’ Nate greeted him, when he reached the bar. ‘You just missed your friend.’ He winked.

‘Coop been here already?’ he asked, puzzled, and not understanding the wink.

‘No, your lady friend, the redhead. She was looking for you.’

‘Oh!’ So, Joy Taylor had been here. He’d had a lucky escape.

‘Your usual?’

‘Thanks.’

Will leant on the bar and checked his phone, Sure enough, there were two missed calls and a text message.Where are you? I thought we could have lunch together. I’m at the surf club. Ring me. Joy x

He sighed and slid the phone back into his pocket. This only reinforced his decision to arrange another outing with Cleo. He was still frowning over the text when he felt someone clap him on the shoulder.

‘Problems?’ Martin asked, waving Nate over.

‘That blasted woman. She won’t leave me alone. Calls, texts. I just managed to miss her here. Nate says she was looking for me.’

‘Can’t you just tell her to sod off?’

‘If it was that easy.’ Will sighed. ‘She seems impervious to anything I say. No, Ailsa’s plan is the best bet. How about we arrange another double date?’

‘Double date?’ Martin chuckled. ‘Takes me back to when we were teenagers. Are you afraid to see the woman on your own?’

‘No, but…’ Willwasscared to spend time alone with Cleo. He wasn’t sure why. She was a dainty little thing, but he could tell she’d have a fiery temper when provoked. Maybe he was afraid of rousing her anger, of stepping out of line. He was so out of practice with women. Apart from Dee, he’d never spent time alone with a woman since he was in his early twenties. Things had changed a lot since then.

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