Trouble in Nirvana by Elisabeth Rose Page B

with him.”
    “If you can get him to leave, Rosie, you’ll be the local hero,” Mike exclaimed.
    “Evening, folks. Who’s having what?” Maureen appeared with their meals.
    “Thanks.” Primrose inspected her roast lamb, peas, carrots, and baked potatoes.
    Tom smiled. “Nothing like a good old-fashioned roast. My Mum’s are the best, though.”
    “Where are your parents, Tom?” No tension, no flirting. Just plain interest.
    “Cowra. I grew up on a farm. Not big enough to support more than one family, though. Dad still works it.” He shook pepper over his spuds.
    “Do you have brothers and sisters?”
    “One brother still at home helping Dad. Two sisters. Both married.”
    Primrose nodded and continued to eat in silence. Tom came from a happy family, she could tell just by the way his face changed and softened when he thought of them. They’d given him a solid base to build his life on. She and Danny had grown up with sand slipping and sliding under their childish feet, never sure where home would be from one week to the next, never sure whether their father would be there and if he was what state he’d be in or who would be the target of his rage.
    “So quiet,” murmured Tom under cover of Mike requesting chutney from Maureen.
    Startled, Primrose swallowed the mouthful she was chewing. “I’m concentrating on my food. It’s delicious.”
    Tom nodded but the expression on his face implied he didn’t accept her glib excuse. His grey eyes watched and assessed. She shifted uncomfortably. She didn’t want to be serious tonight. He’d accepted her apology, surprised her by listening to her gripe, and even more by flirting earlier, and it was fun. So was Mike’s attention although his big bear-like build wasn’t nearly as sexy as Tom’s lithe muscular frame.
    “How’s your curry, Mike?”
    “Tasty but not as hot as the ones I had in Thailand. Reckon you could strip paint with them.” With that he proceeded to tell them all about his two week Thai holiday, which effectively prevented Tom probing any further into her mental state. Tonight she wanted to forget the crappy childhood, the crappy fiancé, her crappy life and the mess she’d made at the commune. She wanted to drink wine, flirt with Mike and Tom and have a good time. Tomorrow could take care of itself. Same for yesterday and all the yesterdays before it.
    ****
    Their table picked up two extra contestants in the form of Mike’s brother and sister-in-law but even with the boosted brain power the Meat Tray prize went to another loudly cheering team.
    “Miserable effort,” cried Mike as everyone pushed chairs back and prepared to leave. “Remind me to get a better team next time. I’m off home.” He yawned. “Early start in the morning. Make sure you come to visit, Rosie.”
    “Will do.” Primrose gave him a salute followed by a kiss on the cheek.
    He grinned and went off with his relatives.
    “Home time?” asked Tom.
    Primrose wrinkled her nose. The lumpy mattress wasn’t calling yet. It was only just after eleven but the crowd had thinned. “Is there anything else to do?”
    “Not unless you want another drink.”
    “No, thanks.” Primrose picked up her bag. “Guess that’s it then.”
    “Are you all right to drive?” Tom followed as she walked across the near empty room, his voice anxious. He held the door for her and she stepped out into the oppressive warmth of the still night. Headlights splashed across her body as cars turned for home, doors slammed, and voices called final goodnights. Tom’s white ute was across the street. Her Golf was around the corner opposite the little town park.
    “Sure. But I feel like some fresh air.”
    “Like some company?”
    “Yours?” Primrose smiled, standing close, looking up into cool grey eyes, head tilted. Had she wanted him to be the one? Had she come into town tonight hoping he’d be here? Somewhere deep inside the answer was yes. She’d known as soon as she turned and saw