by Cate Kendall
She walked over to clear the cups from the front table, when a shadow fell over it.
‘I’ll just clear this up and the table will be free,’ she said without looking up.
‘That’s okay, Red, I’ll wait.’
She squealed and spun around.
Nick wrapped his arms around Jessica and squeezed so tightly he thought he’d break her.
‘Where have you been? I needed you!’ she scolded.
‘Do you still need me?’
‘No,’ she said proudly, ‘I did it on my own.’
‘Well, I’ve timed it perfectly then, haven’t I?’ he said. ‘I should have said this long ago, Red, but will you please not go anywhere ever again? Will you please stay with me?’
She cocked her head and pretended to think. ‘Okay,’ she said and they grinned, holding each other’s faces in their hands.
Acknowledgements
Lisa Blundell:
Thank you to Mark Smith of Sunrise Energy Management for his determination to make this a better place to live, and his knowledge of terra preta as a good basis for a big idea.
The bio-char system in this novel has been subjected to creative licence for the sake of the story. The concept, however, is real and for information on the magic of bio-char or terra preta start at Wikipedia – the links take you from there.
Cousin Leonard is an actual popular band although their number one hit success in the book is my personal future projection for them: www.cousinleonard.com
Thanks to Rie Southwell of Chook Leaf and Danni Brancatisano for their fashion knowledge.
A special thank you to my husband, Ian Blundell, for his knowledge of science and great research skills. But more importantly, for his untiring patience and support.
Finally thanks to Leisa Wharington, Steve from the coffee shop, Lisa from Hardware and all the other lovely Balnarring locals who inspired this book.
Michelle Hamer:
It takes so many people to make a book and I feel privileged to have such talented, generous people supporting Cate Kendall’s endeavours.
Big thanks to our publisher Larissa Edwards, our editors Jessica Dettmann and Chris Kunz, and the Random House marketing team.
Thanks as always to my agent, Selwa Anthony, and to my co-writer, Lisa Blundell.
At home Harley, Ruby, Darcy and Ollie continue to be my own personal cheer squad.
Kell, Ads and Benji, thanks for the bed in the spare room, the dating advice (so he will call, right?), the telephone counselling and the hilarity of hard-rubbish day. You all mean so much to me.
To Tracey, who always has my back. My world makes more sense with you in it.
To John, thanks for trying to make me laugh when the editing made me grumpy. Thanks also to Kyan, Mirrami and Pier. I can’t wait to see your book in print one day, Pippi!
To Jasmin and Vince, thanks for the coffee-and-crying sessions – and everything else!
Thanks to Suzy and Zak, who make family life so much fun.
And to Mum and Dad. You helped to get me through the year in so many ways. This one’s for you.