Free North Star by Karly Lane

didn’t bring scones today,’ Jenny informed Kate haughtily, ‘I brought Tim Tams, and if you don’t stop complaining, I’ll eat your share too.’

    At the end of the week Kate and Jenny stood arm in arm observing the results of a busy few nights of sewing and painting. The bedrooms all had a fresh coat of paint and the new curtains brightened the rooms up even more, framing newly clean windows. After sanding and varnishing, the timber floors gleamed.
    The kitchen was the biggest transformation of all. They’d dragged Gran’s old timber kitchen table out from the back room, and it was now back where it belonged, reviving happy memories for Kate of sitting at the table chatting with her gran as they topped and tailed beans, peeled potatoes and drank tea. She ran her hand along the smooth timber surface and smiled. Cheerful yellow curtains hung in the window and a leafy green pot plant sat on the windowsill. Cleared of all the junk, the kitchen was roomy and spacious and was again the focal point of the house.

    Bright and early on Saturday morning, Kate helped Jenny pack an esky with enough food to sink a ship and they headed out to tackle the yard. Nathan and the boys unloaded the mowers and a Whipper Snipper, and soon the smell of petrol and the drone of mowers filled the air.
    Kate, on her hands and knees pulling at stubborn weeds, jumped when a shadow fell across her.
    â€˜Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. Making any headway there?’ It was John, his voice touched with amusement.
    Kate wiped her brow and frowned at her dirty hands. ‘Not a great deal. I hope you didn’t put off anything too important to come out here today—you didn’t have to come and help.’
    â€˜Technically I’m on call twenty-four/seven, but I have my radio and phone with me in case there’s an emergency.’
    â€˜I really appreciate all this help. Jen and Nathan have been so great. I don’t think I could have managed without them.’
    â€˜I have a feeling you’d have found a way,’ he told her, holding her gaze steadily.
    A blush crept up her face and she bobbed her head to hide the fact his admiration had pleased her.
    â€˜You made it at last,’ Nathan yelled from across the yard when he spotted John. ‘I thought you coppers were supposed to be ready for action all the time?’
    â€˜I’ve been out upholding the law—and I am ready, so give me something to do,’ John called back, moving across to shake Nathan’s hand in greeting.
    Kate returned to her digging with renewed vigour. You don’t need any complications—just keep digging! she scolded herself.
    A few hours later she went inside to help bring out cold drinks for morning tea and almost dropped her tray as John rounded the corner of the house, bare-chested, his head dripping from a recent dunk under the hose to cool off.
    Jenny let out a soft low whistle from close behind, earning a flustered glare from Kate. ‘For God’s sake, don’t encourage him. And you shouldn’t even be looking, you’re married,’ she added in a whisper, although she couldn’t hide the small grin that tugged at her lips.
    â€˜I can look. Anyway, you’d have to be blind and half-dead if that didn’t do anything for you,’ Jenny said, just loud enough for Kate to hear.
    Looking over, John caught the two women staring and gave a lopsided grin as he pulled on his shirt and came across to take the tray from Kate’s hands.
    â€˜It’s okay, I have it,’ Kate said, refusing to relinquish her load. There was a brief battle of wills before she surrendered, realising that her hands were somewhat unsteady and she’d already sloshed half the contents onto the tray.
    â€˜Thanks,’ she murmured a little grudgingly.
    Jenny raised a knowing eyebrow at her friend as she weaved past carrying a plate stacked with scones and cream. ‘Like I