‘Yes. We had a massive barney about it.’ I recall that night in Josh’s car. ‘I never got a chance to tell you.’
‘What about you? Did you pass your driving test in the end?’
‘First time.’
‘Thought you might.’
Neither of us is referring to that night at Mount Lofty. I can’t imagine how we could ever bring it up. It was such a strange, illicit situation – an almost-thirty-year-old falling for a sixteen-year-old girl. It would be like Josh falling for Kay! I put that thought out of my head.
‘I never went back to the conservation park after you left,’ I tell him.
‘I know.’
‘You know?’ I glance up at him, surprised.
‘Dave told me. I was sorry to hear it.’
I say nothing.
‘You were so good with the koalas. It takes a certain sort of person to be able to deal with them. Not everyone has the right temperament.’
Janine had said the same thing. ‘I missed it,’ I admit sadly. ‘I cried and cried when I heard they’d relocated Olivia to another conservation park and I never got to say goodbye.’
He nods sympathetically. ‘It’s tough when that happens.’
‘I know it’s part of the job . . .’
‘. . . but that doesn’t make it any easier.’ He leans back in his chair and regards me. ‘I am sad you gave up on photography. I really thought you had something.’
I shift in my seat. ‘It’s hard to get into that line of work.’
‘That’s not an excuse if you’re still passionate about it. Are you?’
I meet his gaze. ‘Maybe.’ Pause. ‘I actually went to a photography exhibition not that long ago.’
‘Did you?’
‘The guy was an arsehole.’
Ben chuckles.
‘It’s so odd to bump into you now, because I did get my camera back from Mum’s recently. I have started taking pictures again.’
‘Really?’ He sits up with interest. ‘Can I see them sometime?’
I smile. ‘Sure. If they’re not too horrendous. I haven’t got any developed yet.’
‘Are you still using film?’
‘Yes. I know, digital cameras have improved like you said they would, but I’ve only just got back into it all.’
Ben grins and the waitress appears with some menus.
‘Do you want dessert?’ he asks me.
‘No, I couldn’t eat another thing.’
‘Just the bill, thanks,’ he tells the waitress. We fall silent. ‘It’s good to see you again,’ he says after a while.
