The Australian Affairs Collection. Margaret Way

driveway is not far now,’ Ben added. ‘Yes, there it is.’

      Jess slowed, then turned into the driveway, passing through widely set stone gateposts, one of which doubled as a post box, the other having the name ‘Valleyview Winery’ carved into the stone and painted black so that it stood out. The driveway was relatively straight and nicely tarred, bisecting gently sloping paddocks which held rows and rows of grapevines.

      ‘So, does this place belong to Andy or his parents?’ she asked, Jess only then realising they hadn’t really talked about Andy, or the upcoming wedding, at all. They’d been totally taken up with each other.

      ‘His parents. And the house is actually not as old as it looks. His folks built it while we were at boarding school together. His dad was a stock broker in Sydney but made enough money to retire early, so he decided to indulge his hobby and start up a winery.’

      Jess suppressed a sigh. She should have known Ben’s best friend would be rich.

      ‘And what does Andy do?’

      ‘He’s now the official wine-maker here. He did law like me when he first left school, but decided after we graduated that it wasn’t for him, so he went to France and studied wine-making with the masters. Then he came back and took over. Till then his dad hired a professional wine-maker. Apparently, it’s not an art you can learn from a how-to book.’

      ‘I dare say.’

      As they drew near to the house, three people emerged onto the front veranda. Two men and a woman. Jess presumed it was Andy and his parents. The younger of the two men separated himself from the others and hurried down some side steps which led to a large tarred area at the side of the house where she was about to park.

      ‘This do?’ she asked Ben as she pulled to halt.

      ‘Perfect,’ he said, already unclicking his seat belt. In no time he was out and hugging his best friend with a big bear-hug.

      Andy wasn’t as tall as Ben, she noted as she climbed out from behind the wheel, but he was nice looking, with dark hair, brown eyes and even features.

      ‘Long time no see, bro,’ Andy said, finally disengaging from the hug.

      Ben shrugged. ‘Been busy in the Big Apple.’

      ‘You know what they say, mate, about all work and no play. Still, you’re in Australia now, the land down under where the weather is hot and so are the girls. Speaking of hot girls, I presume this is Jess,’ he added, giving her the once-over with appreciative eyes.

      ‘How intuitive of you,’ Ben mocked. ‘Jess, this smart Alec is Andy.’

      ‘Hi, there, Jess,’ he said, and came forward to give her a peck on the cheek. ‘Lovely to meet you.’

      ‘Are you sure it’s all right for me to stay here?’ she said in reply. ‘I wouldn’t like to put your mother to any extra trouble.’

      ‘No, no, she’s fine with it. The cottage is always ready for guests and Mum’s very easy going. Come inside and have some afternoon tea. And some of Mum’s blueberry muffins—the ones you like, Ben. You know, Jess, I’m not sure what it is about Ben here, but women fuss over him like mad.’

      ‘Search me,’ she returned with a straight face. ‘It’s not as though he’s handsome or charming or anything like that.’

      Andy stared at her for a second, then laughed a big belly laugh. ‘Oh, that’s priceless. You can keep this one, Ben, if you like.’

      ‘I do like,’ Ben whispered in her ear as he slipped a possessive arm around her waist and steered her towards the house.

      But, even as she quivered inside with delicious pleasure at his touch, Jess knew Ben had no intention of keeping her. They would be together whilst he was here. And then he would go back to America and it would all be over.

       CHAPTER NINE

      ANDY’S PARENTS WERE as lovely as their home. Jess had been half-expecting that they would be snobbish, since they were wealthy and owned a winery. But they were anything but. Whilst obviously well-educated and well-spoken, both of them were very down to earth and welcoming, insisting immediately upon introduction that she call them Glen and Heather.

      Afternoon tea had been set up in the main living room which had French doors leading out onto the veranda. Heather explained that it was a little too breezy today to have it out there, a wind having sprung up seemingly out of nowhere.

      Jess had just finished her cup of tea and was popping a second delicious mini muffin into her mouth when a nearby phone rang. Not the ring tone of a mobile. The unmistakable sound of a landline.

      ‘Do excuse me,’ Heather said, moving over to a long sofa table which rested against the wall and on which sat a phone, along with some very nice pieces of pottery.

      Jess tried not to listen but it was impossible once she heard Heather make a sound which was halfway between a gasp and a groan.

      ‘Oh, my dear, that’s most unfortunate,’ she said to whoever she was talking to. ‘So what are you going to do? Yes, yes, I’ll get Andy for you right away.’

      Andy’s attention must already have been grabbed because he jumped up immediately and rushed to take the phone from his mother. It didn’t take Einstein to realise he was talking to his fiancée and that something had gone wrong. Heather, thank God, quickly enlightened the rest of them.

      ‘Catherine’s matron of honour has been rushed to hospital with a threatened miscarriage. Anyway, she’s okay, but she has to stay in bed for at least a week and can’t be at the wedding tomorrow. She’s naturally very upset. Catherine is too. I suppose she’ll just have to move the other bridesmaid up to be opposite you, Ben. It means it will be a very small bridal party, but what else can she do?’

      Murphy’s Law had struck, was Jess’s immediate thought. And cruelly. She felt terribly sorry for them all, but especially the bride.

      ‘She could always put Jess in her place,’ Ben suddenly suggested.

      Jess threw him a horrified look. ‘Don’t be ridiculous, Ben. Andy’s fiancée doesn’t even know me.’

      ‘In that case, we’ll take you over to her place and she can meet you,’ he said in his usual taking over fashion. ‘She only lives next door. It’s not an ideal solution, Heather,’ he said, turning his attention to Andy’s mother, ‘but it is a solution.’

      ‘Well, yes, I…I suppose so,’ Heather said before Jess could object again. ‘It would also make Krissie feel better. She thinks she’s spoiled her best friend’s wedding. Not to mention the wedding photos. Catherine was only having the two bridesmaids and now she’s down to one.’

      ‘It’s a perfectly sensible solution,’ Glen said with typical male pragmatism. ‘Andy!’ he called out. ‘Ben here said Jess would be willing to take Krissie’s place, if it’s all right with Catherine.’

      Jess held her breath whilst Andy explained Ben’s suggestion to his bride.

      ‘She’s Ben’s new girlfriend,’ Andy went on when he was obviously asked for further explanation. ‘Her name is Jess. They only met recently. Over some business deal in Sydney. Anyway, Ben got his rental car totalled by some drunk and Jess offered to drive him out here… She’ll look great in the wedding photos.’

      Jess cringed, not sure now if she wanted the bride to say yay or nay. Still, it wasn’t as though she wouldn’t have been at the wedding anyway. And if it made everyone a bit happier… After all, weddings were supposed to be happy occasions.

      Andy turned to face Jess. ‘She says thanks heaps for the offer. Says you’ve really saved the day, but she would still have to see you asap. Something about whether the dress would fit you or not. It might need altering. Krissie was pregnant,