Meant To Be Read Online Free PDF Page B

hadn’t been to one before.
    Jake let the car roll on slowly across a large rubble car park where a few young, spindly gum trees had been planted. They would make good shade one day and return some of the character to the area, Emily thought. She cast her eyes down the undulating landscape with its neat rows of bright green vines on their timber and wire trellising. The scene was very striking against the wider patchwork of pale yellow, grey and brown stubbles remaining from the recently harvested winter crops. They were on a small rise, and in the far distance she could just make out the blue of the Spencer Gulf.
    â€˜Isn’t it a shame they left those lovely stone buildings back there to rot? They could have reused one of them instead of putting up something completely new,’ Jake said, bringing the car to a halt. Emily was having the same thought at the same moment. ‘Don’t get me wrong. I’m a huge fan of corrugated iron,’ he continued. ‘I just think it’s sad to see all that old charm and quality workmanship going to waste.’
    â€˜Hmm,’ Emily agreed, looking at the structure in front of them. Its high-pitched roof and row of skylights gave it a certain charm. But still it looked somehow temporary. Perhaps whenthe trees and shrubs grew it would look more in keeping with the surrounding landscape.
    They parked, got out, and walked across to the building. She followed Jake through the bank of café doors and looked about at the interior – concrete, corrugated iron, and visible steel beams. At first glance, the place was just a shed with nicer doors and windows. Though, looking more closely, she realised that only the main beams were visible. The building was lined in corrugated iron, no doubt with insulation between the inner and outer sheets. There was a solid timber bar running almost its whole length. Emily was turning around and slowly taking it all in when she heard a familiar voice.
    â€˜Well, look what the cat dragged in.’
    Her face lit up as her gaze settled upon a couple at a table in the corner.
    â€˜Barbara! David! What are you guys doing here?!’ She rushed over and hugged them both.
    â€˜The riff raff they let in,’ Jake said, grinning at them. ‘Hello you two.’ He hugged Barbara and shook David’s hand.
    â€˜Sit, sit,’ Barbara urged, patting the wooden bench beside her.
    â€˜What can I get you to drink, Em?’ Jake asked, wrapping an arm around her waist.
    â€˜Their rosé recently won a prize,’ Barbara said.
    â€˜Would you like one, Barbara? David?’ Jake said.
    â€˜No thanks, we’re having an alcohol-free day,’ David replied.
    â€˜At a winery?’ Emily laughed.
    â€˜We came for coffee and hot chocolate.’ He suddenly seemed a little uncomfortable. And Barbara was looking down at her hands in her lap.
    â€˜Another bottle of water then?’ Jake asked, picking up the empty one.
    â€˜That’d be good, thanks,’ Barbara said.
    â€˜Yes, water, thanks,’ David said.
    Emily noticed her friends visibly relax. So what if they didn’t want to drink? She wasn’t about to make them feel awkward by quizzing them on it. In her opinion, most people drank far too much anyway.
    â€˜Em?’ Jake asked.
    â€˜I think I’ll just have water too, thanks,’ she said, smiling at him.
    â€˜Righteo,’ Jake said cheerily. ‘Water all round it is then.’ He tucked the empty bottle under his arm, collected David and Barbara’s used mugs, and walked the few metres across to the bar. Emily sat down next to Barbara, who leaned in towards her.
    â€˜Jake’s looking a little brighter,’ Barbara said.
    â€˜Yes, he is, isn’t he?’ Emily watched him. They didn’t know about Jake’s adrenal fatigue, but this wasn’t the time to share. ‘He’ll be fine. It’ll just take some time,’ she replied.
    â€˜And