Pictures of Lily

why you quit work like that.’ I shift uncomfortably in my seat, ever aware of Richard’s presence beside me. ‘She always said you had a way with the koalas. I think she thought you’d return one day, but I guess you’ve moved on to bigger and better things. Josh says you work in publishing now?’
    ‘I wouldn’t say it’s bigger or better,’ I start to protest.
    ‘Sounds pretty exciting to me,’ Michael says.
    ‘I’m just a receptionist,’ I add lamely.
    ‘Just a receptionist,’ Richard scoffs, then to Michael, ‘she’s too modest.’
    ‘She always was,’ Michael agrees with a knowing look. ‘What about you, Richard? What do you do?’
    I would give anything to ask after Ben, but I can’t.
    ‘Why did you quit?’ Richard asks when we’re back in the car.
    ‘I was starting school, it was no big deal.’ I brush him off. ‘What did you think of him? He’s nice, isn’t he?’
    Richard nods. ‘Yeah. Really nice.’
    ‘I can’t believe my mum dumped him.’
    He raises his eyebrows. ‘No comment.’
    I grin, relieved I’m off the hook with the questioning. ‘Where to, now?’
    ‘Can we drive past the conservation park?’
    ‘That’s it there.’ I point to the boundary fence.
    ‘What’s that?’ he asks, looking up towards the top of the hills.
    ‘Carminow Castle.’
    ‘Can we go up there?’
    ‘Okay.’ I admit defeat. ‘I’ll take you up to Mount Lofty to see the view.’ I cannot believe I’m doing this.
    ‘Nice!’ Richard breathes, gazing down at the city and the ocean beyond it. I brought him through the lobby, somehow finding the willpower to resist the side of the building that looks down on Piccadilly Valley. Even here though, I’m haunted by a vision of dark-blue eyes staring into mine in the darkness.
    My phone starts to ring, rousing me from my reverie. I dig it out of my bag and peer at the caller ID.
    ‘Hi, Josh.’
    ‘Hey, you’re back.’
    Richard glances at me and I indicate that I’ll take the call away from the crowds. He nods in understanding so I wander off slowly.
    ‘Only for the funeral.’
    ‘I know. Terrible, isn’t it?’
    ‘Awful. Kev always seemed so full of life. Is Shane okay?’ I look over, and when I see that Richard is reading one of the information plaques, I continue walking.
    ‘He’s pretty cut up,’ Josh answers. ‘Have you spoken to Tammy?’
    ‘Not yet. I’ll try her later.’
    ‘What are you up to this arvo?’
    ‘I’m giving Richard a tour of the hills. We’ve just been to see your dad, actually.’
    ‘I know – he called me.’
    ‘Aah, so that’s how you knew we were here.’
    ‘That’s right. Do you fancy meeting me in Stirling for a quick drink? Tina might be able to get off work.’
    ‘Sure, but I thought your garage was in Mount Barker?’
    ‘It is, but I need to take one of the cars for a spin. I can pop out for an hour.’
    ‘What about Tina?’
    ‘She works in the hairdresser’s in Stirling. I’ll give her a buzz now to see if she can take a break. See you at the pub in half an hour?’
    ‘Perfect.’ I end the call and stare down at the rolling hills of Piccadilly Valley, speckled with green and grey gums. This is where I told him I loved him. Did he ever tell me he loved me? No. Did he love me?
    Did you?
    His eyes stare back at me inside my mind, but he doesn’t answer.
    It’s almost as though I expect some epiphany to come to me, standing here. Something to tell me what to do. But there’s nothing. My heart says nothing. I turn and walk back to join Richard.
    I don’t mean to drive past Ben’s house, really I don’t, but somehow we end up taking a detour on the way to Stirling. As we approach I spy a red Suzuki parked on his drive and my whole body stiffens. I slow down and stare out of Richard’s side of the car, painfully alert. And then the door opens and a woman walks out. She has curly dark hair and is wearing a long, tie-dyed maxi dress. I see the tiny hands of a small child wrap around her legs from behind and then we’ve passed them and I sit bolt upright in shock and stare out of the rearview mirror.
    ‘Who was that?’ Richard asks, glancing out of the back window and then at me with concern.
    ‘I don’t know,’ I reply.
    ‘You looked like you might know her.’ He’s confused at my reaction.
    ‘I thought I did, but I don’t,’ I quickly tell him, my heart pounding.
    Who was she? Who were they? He said he’d never sell it. Did he move back here? Did he bring his