Chapter 18 Summary

It was easy for the family at Drogheda to imagine Dane and Justine were still in Sydney, instead of away in Rome and London. They return for a month every year, in August or September. Both are still friends with Rainer. The Uncles come to Rome for Dane's ordination. Fiona is too old and infirm to travel so far. Only Meggie's chair was vacant.

At the reception afterwards, Dane teases Justine about being in love with Rainer, which she hotly denies. After seven years, they are no more than good friends, Justine protests. Walking back to the hotel, Rainer seizes Justine and kisses her. She runs away, frightened not of the kiss, but of how right it feels. Justine wavers, writing an apology note to Rainer and inviting him to dinner in London. At dinner, she tells him she has always avoided falling...