Pictures of Lily

over me. I haven’t told him how I worked at a conservation park as a teenager. I’ve tried to blank it from my past because it’s too painful to relive. Now I’ve gone and done it and I have to explain. ‘Lily, what the fuck ?’
    I sigh and close my eyes. I really, really don’t want to go into this.
    ‘I used to work at the conservation park with Michael. When I first came to Australia,’ I add, glancing at him. He’s still frowning with exasperation.
    ‘Right?’ Add confusion to that look.
    ‘I really loved it,’ I say simply.
    ‘What, when you were fifteen?’ he checks.
    ‘Fifteen, sixteen . . . I only worked there for the summer holidays, but I’ve always regretted leaving. I know it’s too late to do anything about it, but it still makes me sad sometimes.’
    He reaches over and rubs my arm. ‘Don’t be sad. Come here.’
    ‘No, I don’t feel like it,’ I say sulkily and he takes his hand away. I know I’m being high maintenance, but I can’t help it. I don’t want to go to him, I want him to come to me .
    I’d like him to ask me to explain myself more, to tell him how at least working in the field of photography seems more attainable all of a sudden, but he’s annoyed at my snub. I turn my focus to the television, and a minute later remember that dinner’s in the oven and leap to my feet. That’s the end of our so-called heart-to-heart for now.

Chapter 20
     
    On Sunday night, I get a call from my friend Vickie in Adelaide.
    ‘I’ve got some bad news. Tammy’s dad had a heart attack,’ she tells me. ‘He died overnight in hospital.’
    ‘Oh no, poor Tammy! And Shane! How are they?’
    ‘Devastated. The funeral’s on Wednesday. Do you think you can come back for it?’
    ‘Um . . .’ I haven’t been back to Adelaide since I left at the age of nineteen.
    ‘I know she’d like you to be there.’
    ‘I’ll try,’ I promise. ‘I’ll have to see if I can get the time off work.’
    ‘You can stay with me and Jaegar, if you like. It’ll be squashy, though.’ They live in a studio flat.
    ‘Thanks. I might even be able to get a cheap deal at one of the city hotels.’
    ‘Please come,’ she begs.
    After I hang up the phone I turn to Richard.
    ‘What’s wrong?’ he asks, having overheard my half of the conversation.
    ‘Tammy’s dad has had a heart attack. Vickie thinks I should go to the funeral. It’s on Wednesday.’
    He nods. ‘Do you want me to come with you?’
    I hesitate. On the one hand I would love his company. On the other, I wonder if I should go back to Adelaide alone.
    ‘Don’t worry,’ I tell him. ‘I know work’s really busy at the moment. Have you had any luck replacing that guy?’ I’m referring to the apprentice Nathan suspected had been nicking stuff. Nathan himself caught him in the act last week and fired him on the spot. They’re now a man short with a build deadline approaching.
    ‘Not yet,’ Richard replies. ‘I’m doing some interviews tomorrow. I’ll come,’ he decides.
    ‘You don’t have to,’ I assure him.
    ‘I will.’
    It’s a strange feeling returning to Adelaide after all these years. And with Richard with me, it almost doesn’t seem real. So much has changed, the airport for one. Gone is the tiny old building, replaced with a brand new glass and steel structure, and when Vickie drives us along North Terrace, I barely recognise it. The trees have been taken down and the pavements widened, opening up the views to the old historical buildings belonging to the museum, university and churches. Blocks of flats and university housing have shot up everywhere.
    Vickie works at a café in North Adelaide where she and her boyfriend Jaegar live, but she takes an hour out of her day to collect us at lunchtime and then hands over the keys to her silver Toyota Yaris.
    ‘Are you sure?’ I check. She said she’d lend us her wheels when I told her we’d booked our flight.
    ‘Of course. I’ll walk home after work and get ready. If you could pick Jaegar and me up at seven-ish, we’ll go for dinner on Rundle Street if that’s what you want?’
    The funeral is tomorrow morning and our flight is at four o’clock in the afternoon, so tonight we’re catching up with old friends. Jo and her boyfriend Ash are also meeting us later, but Tammy, understandably, is spending time with her mum and Shane.
    ‘That would be great.’ I smile warmly.
    ‘Thanks, Vickie,’ Richard adds.
    ‘No worries.’
    ‘Shall we go to the hotel