"Oh, something about a frustratingly beautiful woman who need a good spanking and how his hand was itching to deliver her one."
"What?" I exclaimed.
"Honey," Abi said, cocking her hip and giving me a purposeful stare. "Ryan Pierce is from the school of see 'em, like 'em, want 'em, take 'em."
"The what school?" I asked on a laugh. This woman was hilarious.
"It's the same school my Ben went to. The same school Genevieve's Dominic went to. The same school Eva's Nick went to. And the same school Katie's Jason went to," she said counting them all off on her fingers.
I guessed Genevieve was the blonde at Sweet Seduction, but I didn't know either Eva or Katie. But I think I was getting the picture.
"Would that be the chest thumping, me Tarzan you Jane school, by any chance?"
She burst out laughing. "Oh, I see you've met some of the alumni already? Then you should be well prepared for what Detective Ryan Pierce has in store for you."
"Oh, girlfriend," I said in my best impersonation of sass, "he doesn't stand a chance."
She guffawed as she led the way out onto the deck and placed the steaks next to the barbecue, which had been turned on at some stage, I was guessing by Ben. Who to my utter surprise was pushing a now awake Daisy on the swing under the Cherry Tree.
The image stopped me in my tracks. Daisy had never had a father figure to push her on a swing before. I hadn't dated much in the nearly six years since Rick died, and certainly not enough to bring a man into her life, so she could establish a relationship with him. It was too hard to see her get attached and then have to say good-bye.
It had been hard enough for me and I was an adult and married.
"How're you holding up there, drinking buddy?" Abi said, offering me a second beer.
"He'll make a great dad," I said, nodding towards her man.
"Yeah, he will," Abi replied wistfully.
"Any plans for kids?" I asked, thinking we were well past social boundaries by this stage.
"Not yet. Gen's pregnant, she's the first of our group to bring a new life into the mix. Everyone's cock-a-hoop about that. Ben and I need a little longer enjoying each other before we have to share with anyone else." She must have realised what she'd said, because she quickly added, "Sorry, that was thoughtless of me."
I offered a genuine smile. "No need to apologise. And don't get me wrong, I can't imagine a life without Daisy in it. She is my life. But Rick never knew I was pregnant, neither did I at the time. And sometimes I wonder whether things would have been different if we knew. Or if she wasn't there for me afterwards how things would have gone, you know?"
Abi nodded, throwing a couple of steaks onto the grill. The sound and smell of sizzling beef permeated the air. I moved and sat on the raised edge of the deck.
"Ben usually does this," Abi said, flipping a steak. "But I think he's having too much fun entertaining young Daisy there."
I smiled. "Maybe kids are closer on the horizon than you imagine," I suggested, thinking she'd been pretty much a natural with Daisy from the moment we arrived.
"You never know," she declared, keeping her attention on the meat.
A car engine sounded out as it drifted down the drive, and before it came into view I watched Ben still, casually place a hand to his waistband at the back of his trousers, and step in front of Daisy on the swing.
My heart leapt into my throat at the reminder that our lives were not normal, were not safe. That drinking beers in the waning sunshine on a big deck as our dinner grilled on the barbecue, were probably luxuries we shouldn't be entertaining right now. I slowly lowered my beer bottle, shifting my hold on the neck, so I could throw it if need be, as Abi turned around with just the spatula and tongs in her hand.
This was ridiculous, as far as safety went. We could hardly be called an alert and well armed guard.
The car came into view for Ben first, who removed his hand instantly and offered up a wave instead. Then when Abi saw the Ford Focus come to a stop and simply returned to the grill, singing happily, "Let's get this party started," I finally allowed myself to relax as well.
Blonde number two from Sweet Seduction bounced out of the car, curls bobbing, smile in full force, and shrieked at the top of her lungs, "I heard this was party central tonight. At least it is now I'm here!"
"Kelly," Ben growled, gently pushing Daisy on the swing again. "I hope you brought more beer."
Kelly let out a mock gasp and said, "For shame, Ben Tamati. You don't know me at all, do you?" Then reached into the rear seat of her car and grabbed a crate full of clinking bottles of booze.
Spinning around to face us, she asked, "Drink anyone?" Just as Daisy leapt off the swing and ran straight towards her shouting excitedly, "Kelly! I painted a room full of penguins!"