“Blake tells me you had an encounter with a brown snake.” Sue grinned and ruffled Lilly’s head, then unwrapped the damp towel from her. She took the clothes Del had left on the table and quickly dressed her. “Heard this little missy saved the day.”
“She certainly did. I was terrified, but Lilly had it all under control. Just as well Blake has taught the children what to do in these situations.”
“Exactly. Out here they have to know what to do. Not like in the big city. Different kinds of challenges for them here.”
Del looked at her. “Ones they seem to handle with ease too.” The kettle flicked off and she made tea for the both of them, and poured a juice for Lilly. Del took a seat at the table and wrapped her hands around the warm cup.
“So, tell me honestly, do you like it out here then?” Sue smiled over Lilly’s head.
“Yes I do. It’s certainly different from what I know, but that was the whole purpose of the trip in the first place.” Del smiled. “So much has happened in these since I arrived, my head is spinning.”
“Seems like you’re not the only one who is having those sensations.” Sue winked and took a sip of her tea.
Del’s cheeks flamed and the other woman laughed, slapping her hand on the table. “I knew it. As soon as I saw you, I knew you could do it.” She wiped her finger under her eyes, brushing away the tears of laughter.
“I don’t get it. What are you talking about?” Del looked at her enquiringly.
“Blake. As soon as I saw you standing in the shop out of sorts, I knew. You could be the one to snap him out of his doldrums. I was right, wasn’t I?” She wrapped her arms around Lilly and squeezed her tight, snuggling into the little girl’s neck. “About time he moved on with his life. Reckon you’re the one who will do it.”
Del sighed. “It’s not that simple, Sue.”
“What are you talking about, girl? Of course it is.” She stroked Lilly’s hair. “Honey, how would you like to go and play in your room for a few minutes? This is big girl talk. I’ll come and get you soon, okay?”
Lilly looked up at Del and smiled, slipping her thumb out of her mouth. “Okay.” She slid down and skipped from the room.
“Some things are just meant to be, Del, and this is one of them. Believe me when I tell you this.” Sue sipped her tea and chose her words. “I know my nephew and I consider myself a pretty good judge of character. When you walked into the shop you were lost. Hell, I could see it a mile off, and I don’t mean being in the Outback away from your city connections either.” She gave a soft laugh. “You were out of your depth and floundering around looking for something. I just pointed you in the right direction. Simple really.” She shrugged her shoulders.
“Nothing is that simple, Sue.”
“What aren’t you seeing here? The man just about worships the ground you walk on and, from what I can see, he does something to your little heart too. Plain and simple in my book.”
Sadly Del shook her head. “There is a connection there, I can’t deny it, but there are other factors to consider.”
“Such as?” Sue put down her cup and leaned back in her chair, an expectant look on her face.
“I’m not sure if this is really afternoon tea conversation.” Sue’s probing was making her feel just a little bit vulnerable.
“I like you, really I do. If I didn’t there would be no way in hell I would send you to be part of this little family. They mean more to me than anything else in the world. If you’re worried about spilling all the details of your past to me, don’t. I don’t judge people, not my style.” She scratched a spot on her cheek. “Thing is, everyone talks to Aunty Sue and the reason being is that Aunty Sue never breathes a word of it. Take it to my grave, I will, so if you need a shoulder to cry on or a sounding board, let rip cause here I am.”
Tears filled Delilah’s eyes. “He does something to me, there is no denying that, but there are too many obstacles in the way, Sue. We both come from such different backgrounds.”
“Pfft…as if that matters. Concentrate on the here and now, makes life so much easier.”
“Easy to say but I have my career.”
“Tell me something; what means more to you at the end of your day—your career or the rest of your life with a man who adores you?”
Del choked on a laugh that turned into a sob. She lifted a hand to cover her mouth, afraid it would turn into a bout of full on crying. It took a few minutes to calm down before she could talk. All the while Sue waited and watched with a calmness that soothed Del’s mind.
“I was in love once…at least I thought I was. Peter was everything I thought I wanted and needed. It was the icing on the cake when he asked me out.” She ran a finger under her eye to wipe away a tear. “My career was just taking off. I’d signed a contract for the first season of my show with an offer on the table for the next two years.” She dabbed at another stray tear. “I was in heaven and having Peter by my side was perfect, or so I thought. Things went well for a while. I attended all sorts of functions, meeting everyone from actors to directors. My fame spread and I loved it, it went to my head.” She took a sip of her now cold tea and grimaced. “Peter started making noises about getting married. What more could I possibly want from life? It was perfect
