Ceebee sees Isaac and bursts out crying.
'Hey, it's okay.' He opens his arms and holds her until she lets go.
'He wore a fucking suit like we were at a business meeting—I mean, seriously, who fucking does that?' Isaac shrugs as Ceebee searches her bag. 'We were gonna be engaged!' She flicks a small red Bic into a tiny flame.
‘Sorry.’ Isaac points to a no smoking sign.
‘Fuck!’
‘I thought you gave up?’
‘I did—I have—I mean, fuck.’ Ceebee checks all her pockets.
‘What’s he doing back in Australia?’
‘Some app thing or something. I don't know. You know Max. I don’t know. I don’t care.’
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‘Are you going to see him again?’
‘He wants to.’
‘When?’
‘Tomorrow night—for dinner. He says he’s only in town for a couple of days.’
‘Why didn’t he tell you he was coming?’
‘He said he wasn’t sure if he was going to let anyone know. He reckons he only decided to call at the last minute. He's getting divorced.’
‘What?’
‘Yeah, I know, right—apparently, it’s pretty messy.’
‘Is he still a bogan rich-boy?’
Ceebee frowns. ‘I don't know. He kinda looks the same, just older, maybe fatter. He seems very serious.’ They stare at each other and burst out laughing.
‘What are you gonna to do?’
‘Not sure.’ Giant flame balls erupt from the pylons between the old Churlows restaurant and the Yarra River, maybe not as large as they once seemed. ‘Is it too early for a drink?’ Isaac glares. ‘I’m joking.’ She loves that Isaac cares about her health. ‘Is that guy in the corner smoking?’
‘I think so.’
‘Wait here while I bum a smoke.’
‘Fuck that—I’m coming with you.’
‘You don’t smoke.’
‘I don’t! But I’m not missing out on anything.’
She hugs him. ‘Thank you.’