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that’s her name.” Laughing, he thumped his hand down on the counter.
    “All right. I’m interested. What can you tell me?” David glanced behind him and leaned over the counter in an attempt to create comradeship.
    “Let me see. Mia’s all grown up now and been back home since she finished her study earlier this year. Works at Bluehaven Preschool. Good she is with children. Maggie, that’s her mama, is a favorite of mine. Always bringing me some of her homemade jam. Lived in the Central Coast most of her life. Jonathan, Mia’s dad keeps to himself. Not our Maggie though, she’s the heart of kindness.”
    “Preschool. Okay. What else?”
    Scratching his chin Phil said, “Of course it could be another Mia. Best you describe her to me lad.”
    David shrugged and played along. “Eyes the color of ivy, thick amber hair that sways when she moves. Creamy, soft skin and a smile that captured Bruno’s heart. Are we talking about the same person?” David frowned as he thought of the vulnerability he’d seen in her face.
    “You forgot to mention a voice as musical as a pure mountain stream.” Nodding his head, Phil reached over and patted David’s face.
    ~~~
    “Mum, I plan to go for a walk in the morning. Do you want to join me?” Mia watched her mother rinse the cloth.
    “Not tomorrow. I plan to get into the kitchen in the cool of the morning and do some baking. You go, dear, and I’ll have breakfast ready for you when you get back.”
    “I’d rather skip breakfast and have you come for a walk with me. Please?” Mia coaxed.
    “Breakfast is important, starts the day off right.”
    Mia picked up a tea towel and swished it around. Her mother watched and smiled.
    “Mum, I need to talk to you.”
    “How about I make a picnic lunch tomorrow and you see if you can have an extra hour off work. We could go to the beach,” Margaret offered.
    “Can we talk now?” Mia touched her mother’s arm gently.
    “It’s getting late and your father has already gone off to bed. Tomorrow’s better.”
    “What does it matter if Dad’s in bed and you’re down here talking to me? Oh, of course you can’t keep him waiting.” Throwing the tea towel down, Mia turned to go.
    “Mia, stop.” Her mother commanded.
    Stopping in midstride Mia spun around.
    “Please don’t be like this, dear. It’s been a long day and I’m just about asleep on my feet. I want to spend time with you, so how about the picnic?”
    “Yes all right, but I’m still sick of the way you run to his beck and call. He probably told you not to be long.” Mia stuck out her chin, showing her displeasure.
    “Mia, I don’t appreciate you talking about your father that way. Perhaps I’ll say goodnight before we both say something we’ll regret.” Reaching over, Margaret touched Mia’s arm. “Good night, I love you.”
    Mia watched her go. She bit down on her lip and the metallic taste of blood caused her to unclench her jaw.  
     
     

Chapter 5
    The decision to wait for him to contact her was harder than she’d thought. Absence may make the heart grow fonder but all Judy felt was anger. How dare he ignore her.
    Judy glared at the lady serving her and snatched her change without speaking. She spun around and knocked into the person behind her.
    “Sorry!” Judy snapped and charged towards the door.
    Stopping abruptly, she tilted her head and looked back at the woman rubbing her shoulder. Her head nodded as an idea formed.
    ~~~
    David’s thumb ran idly over the phone’s keypad as he gazed out the window. The ocean sparkled and winked at him as if encouraging him to make the call. Mia absorbed his thoughts. Her gentle way with Bruno, her wide innocent eyes and the way she ran off like a startled bird.
    The shrill of the phone startled him and his hand tightened on the hand piece. 
    “Hello,” David answered swiftly.
    “How’s my best mate? Still lazing around the beach?”
    A grin curved David’s mouth as he answered his brother.