~ 31 ~
Raining and leavingCassie wakes in the night, the rain like raucous applause on the tin roof. She imagines the wheat seeds in the soil swelling with joy. The first crop they have planted in years. Alex’s parting gift. She turns in the bed and huddles the pillow close to her face.
Poppy’s smug smile greets her the next morning. He leans on the veranda rail, his face damp with raindrops.
‘It’s raining,’ she says, her voice croaky with sleep.
‘Raining! It’s been pouring cats and dogs since one. The radio says it won’t clear till late in the week.’
Cassie walks by him. ‘Just like Alex said it would.’
‘Just like Alex said,’ Poppy echoes. He stares into the white wet distance. ‘Good and steady,’ he says, ‘it’ll soak right in.’
Water slops down the drainpipes.
‘It’s good follow-up
