life, her work. Her future. She chomped into another biscuit and vowed, no matter what, there’d be no regrets. Her friends would be there for her though she’d never be able to tell them the full truth. Matt would be her special good secret, hers alone.
She heard his car pull into the garage, his footsteps in the passage, his delighted raspy tone. ‘You’re here.’ She saw his captivating smile, was swept into his embrace, and held as if she was fragile and precious. She slid her arms around his waist, revelling in his strength and the satisfying sense of security.
His lips feather-brushed her forehead. She cuddled up, wanting this serenity to last, and he seemed in no hurry to end it either. Quiet harmony. An idyllic memory to cherish.
‘You kept the orchids?’
She arched her neck to meet questioning eyebrows and curved lips. ‘Of course. They’re beautiful, Matt.’
His eyes shone as he gathered her in. ‘So are you, Lauren. Beautiful and intoxicating.’
His kiss was light, gentle, spreading a warm glow from head to toes. Her lips instinctively moved with his. Her heart soared, and she wanted to freeze-frame this precious moment for ever.
With evident reluctance he eased away.
‘If I don’t let you go now, we’ll arrive in the dark. I know which I’d prefer...’
‘But the Fords are expecting us for dinner. I’m packed and ready.’
‘Give me ten minutes to shower and change.’ He dipped his head for a brief hard kiss and walked out of the room.
* * *
When they left Lauren kept silent at first allowing Matt to concentrate on the driving through peak traffic. She stared out of the window, trying to identify the suburbs and buildings, surprised by the number of new houses and renovations on main roads.
Once they hit the freeway to the hills, he turned on the radio, keeping it muted in the background.
‘Any listening preference, Lauren?’
‘Whatever you usually have on is fine.’
‘Which would mainly be news and sport. Not for you. How are you on county and western?’
He had to be teasing. One look at his profile said he wasn’t.
‘As long as it’s ballads and not yippee-ki-yay stuff.’
‘Whatever pleases you.’ He glanced over and her mouth dried up at the fire in his eyes. She quivered inside at the thought of the two nights and two days ahead.
‘I’ve been meaning to ask you for days, kept forgetting because you have a habit of distracting my mind and scrambling my brain. What’s the name of your perfume?’
She couldn’t answer, her own brain turning to mush at his compliment. He was claiming to be as affected as she was when they were together. Did he have the same heat rushes, the tingles? The heart flips?
She’d been wearing the same brand for years, had one of the fragrances in her suitcase. So why couldn’t she remember either name?
‘It’s from a small rural company who produce different aromas from Australian native flowers. I keep three and wear whichever suits my mood at the time.’
‘It’s been the same one every day since you arrived. Are the others as enticing?’
‘I’ve no idea. Why do you always wear the same sea-spray cologne?’
‘The truth?’
‘Yes.’ Please don’t let it be because it was a gift from a girlfriend.
‘I forgot to pack mine for when I changed after a game and borrowed Alan’s. Apart from when I’ve been given others, it’s the one I use.’
‘You wore it that night.’
‘For the first time.’ He flicked her an incredulous look. ‘You remembered how I smelt?’
‘You did get pretty close, Matt.’
‘Yeah, and then I lost you.’
They drove in silence for a while, both lost in thoughts of their meeting on the balcony, Matt’s focus on the road and Lauren’s out of the window.
Because of the long hot summer, the vegetation wasn’t as green as she’d hoped. Sneak views of houses between the trees, horses and sheep grazing, and colourful native plants drew her avid attention. Seeing a herd of alpacas in a small fenced area of a paddock thrilled her.
After exiting the freeway, they followed the signs through the small typical hills town and onto a winding, tree-lined road. High overhanging branches covered with autumn leaves of brilliant orange and brown shaded them from the setting sun. The verges were covered with more, tempting walkers to romp through them.
‘This is so peaceful. So Australiana. When we lived in the suburbs I used to dream of moving to a hills town. Any one of them.’ She shrugged. ‘Didn’t happen of course.’
Matt pulled over, switched off the engine and unbuckled his seat belt. He stretched his arm and unclipped hers, unfazed by the sudden apprehension in her eyes. Twisting to face her and taking her hands in his, he yearned for the glowing satisfaction he’d seen after they’d made love.
‘You had a few unfulfilled childhood wishes, didn’t you?’
She shrugged. ‘Doesn’t everyone?’
‘No.’ He ignored his ambition to work as a partner with his father. ‘Most of mine came true. I played Aussie Rules for the school, graduated from uni and travelled overseas. Considering my lack of vocal ability, becoming an international singing sensation was never going to happen.’
His heart swelled at the sight of her hesitant smile. Give him time and he’d make her radiant and happy.
‘I dreamt of being a dancer for a year or so.’ She gave a self-conscious laugh. ‘Of course, in my imagination I had no fear of appearing on stage in front of hundreds of people. The one time I was selected to read a poem I’d written at parents’ night, I took one look at all those faces, froze and bolted.’
‘So you wrote?’
‘I have a stack of notebooks full of poems and short stories, only ever shown to my best friend. Childish and not very good but fun. I haven’t written anything for years except reports or emails.’
Her fingers gripped his. His pulse accelerated. The temperature in the car rose rapidly.
‘I’ve been reflecting on my life lately and I’m beginning to realise my family and I just didn’t gel. Maybe they weren’t as much insensitive as bemused by the alien in their midst. And there were no other relatives around who might have made a difference.’
‘Will you discuss it with them when you see them?’
‘No.’ Short and sharp. ‘There’s no way it wouldn’t sound accusing and the past can’t
