Six Months Earlier
The flight from Sydney to Brisbane had been a short one after the long haul from London, and Cassie, Isla and Rory had been exhausted and elated when they’d emerged from the plane into a dazzling Australian spring. Raf was there to meet them, and Cassie had held back tears when he’d hugged them tightly. He’d driven them to the band’s hotel and, from the moment they’d arrived, they’d had an absolute blast. The band had one final appearance coming up in the Sunday legends slot at Glastonbury and then Blue at Midnight would be over, consigned to history and the memory of all who loved them.
In between gigs, Raf had surprised Cassie with a trip away, just the four of them. They’d flown north and picked up a Jeep, driving further up the coast and taking a ferry to Magnetic Island. Isla and Rory were ecstatic at this new adventure, and she had been happy too, grateful to relax. It was bliss not to have to plan every moment, and she’d given herself up to the experience, aware that such treats didn’t come around very often.
Their secluded beachfront house had huge windows offering exceptional views of their swimming pool and the ocean beyond it. Isla and Rory had changed immediately and flung themselves into the water, exhilaration bringing a return of their more carefree selves. They messed around for hours as Cassie meandered around unpacking and settling in, marvelling at the views and the dazzling light after the gloom of a dreary London autumn.
She laughingly shooed Raf away to the pool when he tried to help prepare dinner. The tour was going brilliantly, but she saw how wired and yet exhausted he was when he came off stage and the band rolled on to the next date, another city, another stage. Giving him the space to kick back and escape was her way of thanking him for all he’d done to make this trip unforgettable.
The following morning she swam early and was relaxing on the steps of the pool when Raf appeared. He dropped a hand on her shoulder in greeting before stripping off his T-shirt and carving through the water with sharp, efficient strokes. Suddenly she found it impossible to tear her gaze away as a quiver raced across her skin, leaving her flushed and captivated by the width of his shoulders, and a body sculpted from years of drumming and working out. She was very aware of his public profile, especially here, but it didn’t intrude much into her family’s life. In private he was just Raf, her friend, not the world-famous rock star drummer. But now she was seeing him as countless other women must, and she made herself steady her breathing.
She was sitting, arms behind her back, when he swam over. She wondered if she was imagining the suggestion of awkwardness in his quick smile as she tried not to stare at the water glistening on his suntanned chest, the outline of a bicep as he ran a hand through soaking hair. They’d swum together countless times on holiday in Galloway, but now she was very conscious of her bikini, one she’d bought out here and hadn’t even been sure she’d wear. Not on the beach at least, with the slight roundness of her stomach that had never gone away since giving birth. Cassie had tried to diet away the curves her mother had lamented until she’d learnt to appreciate them.
‘Looking forward to our day out?’ Raf joined her on the steps, and she was utterly conscious of his wet body beside hers as he propped himself on his elbows, the width of his thigh against her paler one. The braided leather bracelets around his left wrist never came off, and she didn’t think she’d ever seen him without the silver chain and cross beneath it, a twenty-first birthday present from Pippa and their younger sister Tilly. ‘But just say if you’d rather hang out here.’
‘No, I’d love to go, and the kids will too.’ She glanced at his profile, struck by an electrifying bolt that she was horrified to realise was desire. She inched away, putting a little distance between them as she reminded herself sharply of her responsibilities and his loving role in her family’s life. But those thoughts vanished as he stretched, raising both arms above his head. It was probably her hormones and would pass once she’d returned home.
© Suzanne Snow 2026
