That wasn’t entirely true.“I had to make a clean break.”But he had never forgotten what Aunt Maggie had done for him.
They walked through the hedges, and Ethan spotted Chelsea taking video footage with her phone over in the public area of the garden.Her hair was loose for the first time, flowing past her shoulders.She wore a shirt with kind of frilly sleeves and a navy-blue skirt and was smiling and gesturing while she spoke.
She looked happy and comfortable.
“Chelsea looks as if she’s done well for herself,” Josh commented.
Ethan nodded.“She’s some kind of media publicity person now.She’s working with Lauren to promote the Honeybrook Fair and she’s recording the restoration of Lilydale on social media in the hopes of bringing more people to the area.”
“I hope she succeeds.Honeybrook needs a break.”
Ethan frowned.“Why is it so bad?”
Josh shrugged.“Not enough jobs.None of our generation stayed and stores can’t make a profit.There are some farmers who are still doing well, but few people come through town now the new highway gets you down south faster, and fewer stop.”
Ethan hadn’t cared for the town, but if Chelsea was to be successful, it needed to bounce back.“Those campgrounds still open around the lake?”
“Yeah, but they’re not in good condition.Someone trashed the toilets out there and the council doesn’t have the funds to repair them.”
“Shame.”They’d spent some fun weekends camping by the lake.Usually it was when his foster parents thought he was working at Aunt Maggie’s.
Chelsea spotted them and waved, walking towards them with a smile.
Damn.He’d missed her smile, the way it lit up her face and made him feel about ten-feet tall, because she was genuinely happy to see him.
Josh laughed and shoulder bumped him.“Glad to see some things haven’t changed.You still get that goofy look on your face when you see Chelsea.”
Ethan didn’t deny it.“She always was the best thing to happen to me.”
“Thanks, mate.”
Ethan grinned.“But you were my first real friend.”He sobered.“Sorry I didn’t keep in touch.”
“Don’t sweat it.”
They fell silent as Chelsea approached.“You two look like you’re up to no good.”
“I was just telling Ethan how good it is to see you both,” Josh said as they followed her back towards the house.
“Did you find anything?”
“Got some prints, but they might be yours.Can you come to the station later so I can check?”
“Sure.I need to do some shopping, so I’ll drop by then.Can I get you a coffee?”
Josh eyed her coffee maker draining on the sink as he got out his notebook.“If it’s proper coffee, you can.”After she laughed, he said, “Tell me more about the property developer.”
While Chelsea told Josh about Johann, Ethan made his friend a coffee and then told him about his interaction with Darren.
When they were done, Josh said, “I have to be honest with you.Unless the prints aren’t yours, there’s nothing tying either of them to the vandalism.However I want you to keep me informed about any further interactions with them.”
Chelsea nodded.“Can I clean the cottages now?”
“Yeah.I’m done with them.”He finished his coffee.“Thanks.Hopefully I’ll see you around town.”There was a slight wistfulness about Josh’s tone.
Ethan hadn’t thought about his friend much over the years, because so many of his memories of Josh were tied up with Chelsea, but it sounded as if Josh needed someone to talk to.
Ethan clapped him on the shoulder.“We should go for a beer.”
