There were two courses, much to Hannah and Rona's surprise. "Gees, Sash" Hannah said, when Sacha cleared away the dishes from the first course and brought out the main course, "You've really gone all out here."

"Yeah, this is amazing, Sacha."

"It wasn't that hard, really" Sacha said. "I mean, it's nothing you should be that surprised by."

"Are you kidding?" Hannah exclaimed. "I mean - look of this stuff! My god!"

"I think it's a bit undercooked" Sacha protested.

"No way" Rona insisted. "It's perfect."

"Okay, if you say so."

"So" Hannah said, turning to Rona. "Matt couldn't make it tonight?"

"No" Rona replied.

Hannah sipped her wine, and waited in case any elaboration should be forthcoming: none was. "Oh well" she said. "Say hi to him for me."

"Uh-huh." Rona looked around the table. "Sacha, could you pass the salad?"

"Sure thing." Sacha did so.

"That's really good salad" Hannah said. "What's that stuff in it, tastes kinda . . ."

"Aniseedy?"

"Yeah."

"Thai basil."

"Oh, cool."

"How's work going, Sacha?" Rona asked.

"It's going good. Yeah. Keeping busy. Not that exciting, but it pays the bills."

"That's good" Rona nodded. "Hey, could I have some more of that wine?"

"Sure." Hannah took Rona's glass and poured some wine into it.

"What is it?" Rona asked, reaching for the bottle.

"Just a cleanskin. South Australia. Nothing fancy."

"It tastes good."

"Yeah."

"It's pretty young."

"Yeah."

Rona looked at the label, taking in all the information she could: region, variety, year, A.B.V. She took a sip from her glass, and put the wine back on the table. Hannah poured some into her own glass. She chased some rice around her plate with her fork.

"There's some more if you'd like it" Sacha said.

"No, I'm just absolutely stuffed full thanks" Hannah replied. "I've gotta say again, though - really good food, Sacha."