Dad picked me up from the train station and kissed my cheek. "Hi, chicken. Good trip?"

"Dad, it's the train, one side of the city to the other. Not an overseas jaunt."

He frowned and then murmured, "Mm...testy. Did you have a bad night?"

"I'm sorry." I put my arms around him and sighed. "It wasn't my greatest."

Mum ran around like a crazy woman and kissed me. "Hurry up, Jazz. Put your things away so you can help your father set up the tables. You know how useless he is when it comes to stuff like that."

I sucked in a breath and regretted coming so early. Once I had thrown my bag into my old bedroom, I headed out the back door.

Mum yelled. "I want them in rows."

Kyle helped to unload fold-up tables and chairs from the back of a small truck. "Hey, Jasmine," he gushed, kissed me on the cheek and patted my backside.

I slapped his hand away. "Kyle!"

He laughed. "What? Just greeting my future wife."

"Ha, ha, very funny." I screwed up my face, shifted the chairs against the fence and yelled across the yard, "How many are coming to this party, Dad?"

He shrugged. "You know your mother. All the relatives got an invite. Mel won't know half of them."

"When are Mel and Grant arriving?"

"She rang before lunch and said they'd be here around four."

We set up the tables and covered them with sheets of paper. Mum had hired a company to cater for the main meal and dessert. She supplied the nibbles. Dad had his bar organised with extra eskies. Daniel had set up speakers and a sound system for the music on Friday. Mum called us in for a coffee around three o'clock.

"Daniel says you have a boyfriend, Jazz?"

I choked on my coffee because Mum was being so upfront. "Did he? What else did he say?"

She cocked her head and raised her eyebrows. "Not much, just that you liked him a lot. Is there something we should know?"

Dad and Kyle hid grins behind their coffee mugs. I took a breath. "Yes, I like him a lot. I hope you don't mind, but I've asked him to come tonight." Before Mum could say anything, I continued, "He might not be able to make it, but said he would try very hard."

Kyle folded his arms across his chest and put on a serious face. "What about us, Jazz? I asked you to marry me last time we saw each other."

"You did what? Why don't I know about this? Oh my God! Did you hear that, Tom?"

"Mum. Mum! I shouted. The woman looked like she was going to have a heart attack. "He's pulling your leg. Kyle!" I pleaded. "Tell her it's not true."

"But it is true, Jasmine, and you said no to me."

I couldn't believe he was doing this to poor Mum. I glared at him as she stared wide-eyed at both of us. I touched her hand. "Mum, he did ask me, but not seriously. We said if in five years neither of us were married, we'd consider it because we like each other and get on."

I faced Kyle and scowled. "Now I take it back." Mum was about to speak, so I put up my hand to stop her and went on to say, "And later that night, he took another girl out and proceeded to sleep with her. Is that the kind of man you'd like me to be with?"

She laughed and tapped Kyle on the back as she stood. "Don't do that to an old woman, Kyle. I had a fit thinking I'd have to put on another engagement party so soon."

Kyle winked at me. I glared back at him, then looked towards Mum and asked, "Did Daniel tell you he had a girlfriend?"

She flicked her wrist. "Daniel always has a girlfriend of one sort or another."

"Yes," I said. "But he's serious this time. Do you remember my best friend, Belinda?"

Mum put the plug in the sink and ran the water. "Yes, a nice girl. Pretty." She turned to face me. "Oh, I hope it works, Jasmine, or you might lose your best friend."

"I'm sure, if it doesn't work, Belinda and I will remain friends," I said with confidence I was unsure of.

We finished the last of the arrangements at five o'clock. Melody and Grant arrived.

"Sorry, the traffic was unbelievable," Mel said, giving us a big hug and kiss. She gushed over the arrangements and the trouble Mum and Dad had gone to host the party. Grant stayed in the background with Dad and smiled as he followed her with his eyes. He was perfect for Melody and adored the ground she walked on.

By seven o'clock, everyone had arrived, relations I had never seen or couldn't remember had been dragged from the woodwork. Daniel, Belinda, Kyle and I sat at the same table with Mum and Dad.

Daniel leaned towards me and whispered, "Where's wanker?"

I glowered at him. "Will you stop calling him names?"

Belinda changed the subject. "Jasmine, you look beautiful tonight. I hope he comes so he can see you."

"Thanks," I said as I glanced toward the back door. "He didn't promise, but said he'd try."

Kyle tweaked my ear. "Yeah, you do look beautiful. If he doesn't turn up, can I take you home?" He winked and laughed at me. I jabbed him in the ribs.

I was pleased with the way I looked. My dress was an elegant, green polyester, low-backed, halter-neck. It had a sweetheart neckline with angled pleats over the breasts. A long diamante pin separated each cup. The dress draped from the bodice to above my knees. The delicate, high-heeled, ankle-strapped shoes I wore enhanced my legs, and I'd styled my hair in a French braid. I'd dressed for Adam and hoped he'd make it. I took a sip of my wine. If he didn't turn up, I would know for sure that I was going out with a criminal.

There was a part of me that was scared that he would show up. If what Robert had said was true, I could be in danger. Even though he had retracted some of his statements, Daniel's comments seemed to back them up. I promised Adam I'd give him a month, and I was determined I wouldn't break it.

Do you think Adam will make it to the party or do you think he's in gaol (jail)?

Photo copyright - Don't Stop The Party Hire Group.