The Life Swap by Barbara Hannay

Author:Barbara Hannay [Hannay, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781761047718
Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia

CHAPTER TWENTY

Max McKenna’s house in Toowong was perched on the side of a hill. A typical timber-style home from the post–World War I era, with a gabled roof and a latticed front porch, it was surrounded by trees and Luna’s heart gave an involuntary happy skip when she saw it.

A more nervous thudding followed as she thanked Craig for the lift and prepared to get out of his car.

‘You don’t need me to come in?’ he asked.

‘No, I’ll be fine, thanks.’ At least, she hoped she would be fine, but her nerves wouldn’t be helped by having these two men side by side.

‘Call me if you need a lift back.’

‘Thanks, Craig, but you’ve done more than enough. I can call a taxi.’

He shrugged. ‘The offer’s there.’

‘Thank you.’ Luna was out of the car now and the lattice door at the top of Max’s front steps swung open.

A man appeared and began to descend the steps. Dressed in pale chinos and a dark green shirt, he wore glasses, which he hadn’t done in the past, and his dark hair was receding and flecked with grey.

Max. An older version admittedly, but still the same tall, broad chested figure, the same shining, intelligent eyes behind those frames. And now there were lines in his face, giving the impression of life lessons learned. Luna thought they made him more interesting than ever.

‘Luna,’ he said. ‘It’s been a long time. Good to see you.’

His deep, low voice was just as she remembered, as was the light in his blue eyes.

‘Hello, Max.’

It was possible that their gazes lingered on each other for a shade too long. Taking each other in. Remembering the past. Coming to terms with the present.

The sound of Craig’s car taking off snapped Luna back to reality. For heaven’s sake, this wasn’t a long-lost love affair. She was a woman being questioned by the police and she needed this man’s professional skills.

‘You’re looking well,’ Max said.

‘You, too,’ she replied, not quite managing to smile.

‘So – let’s go inside, shall we?’ With a sweep of his arm, he indicated the stairs. ‘And then you can fill me in.’

The memories continued for Luna as she followed him up the steps. The past was channelling through so clearly now. Her first meeting with Max at a party at Sandgate. The bonfire on the beach and their first kiss under the stars. The happy weeks that followed. So much fun and laughter. In many ways, their easy and fun friendship had felt even more significant than their passion.

Then, the chilled farewell.

Max stopped in the porch at the top of the stairs, and with a smile that held a heart-stopping shimmer, he made a gentlemanly gesture, inviting Luna to precede him into his living room. No kiss on the cheek, or hug, but what else could she expect?

The interior of his house was furnished in a comfortable and homely style, a mix of old and new that instantly appealed to her, but she knew that her opinions on his decor were irrelevant to the matter at hand.

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