Nettie flicked her hand in the air several times an irritated growl rumbling from her 'for God's sake'. A stubborn ribbon of sticky tape clung to her fingertip. She twisted herself into an awkward position attempting to pull the tape away with her teeth whilst ensuring her hand remained steadfast on the package she was attempting to wrap.

As if sensing her frustration, the wrapping paper tore. Feeling the paper slack under her palm Nettie closed her eyes and drew in one long deep breath. Her forehead was sticky with sweat. The midday summer heat was back with a vengeance after a surprisingly cool summer last season. Strands of dark brown hair clung to her sticky face.

Welling her chest with air she held it captive for a moment before exhaling. An intense irritation flooded into her fingers causing a twitchy red hot feeling she had far too much experience with. Nettie focused on her breathing, almost chanting to herself, in one two three...hold out one two three hold...in one two three. She restrained herself from taking the package on the table in front of her and throwing it as hard as she could against the wall. 'Progress...' She mused to herself when she managed to fight the urge and as soon as it appeared the hot irritation subsided.

Opening her eyes Nettie took stock of her surroundings. The woman sat on a stool in front of a large wooden desk - or what Nettie assumed was wooden. Given the price she got it for off an old woman online and the fact the table was surprisingly light weight Nettie had assumed it was mostly plywood.

Grounding herself Nettie focused on the details around her, the gentle thrum of noise from the café next door, the low-pitched electric buzz from the lights above her, the lazy movement of dry hot air being whirled around by an extremely ineffective desk fan, the walls of her small store stocked with vibrant plants, candles and other 'odds and ends' as her mother used to call it and finally her dark green eyes floated down to the box in front of her.

'I should have never offered gift wrapping services.' Frustration welled up behind her eyes before she caught herself sliding the box to the space next to her. She crumpled the wrapping paper into her hands enjoying the satisfying crinkle before flicking it into the bin at her feet. The ball of paper joined several other makeshift basketballs. Smoothing a new layer of wrapping paper in front of her she placed the box in the centre, rewound the instructional video on her phone and began again.

It wasn't long before Nettie was in her element, she successfully completed the first box and moved onto the next, her confidence slowly growing her eyes fixated on her task. The sudden chime from the door almost made her drop the scissors she held in her hand.

'Whoa Net, easy hon you'll poke your eye out with those.' The lump in Nettie's throat dissolved once she laid eyes on Hannah. Hannah let her overly fake southern drawl comfort her friend as she approached placing a coffee cup in front of Nettie. That accent of her always amused her. Hannah was as far from the south as you could get but she did have a long family lineage before her father made the decision to relocate the family. Why he had chosen a rural town in Australia she had no idea. It had always felt as if her father was running from something and what better place to run than the middle of nowhere. 'I come offering gifts?'

The two women had been long-time friends, they practically grew up together. Hannah was, however, smart enough not to leave their small town the second she could unlike Nettie.

'Sorry Han...' Nettie dropped the scissors letting her hand instead wrap around the iced coffee her friend had outstretched. Condensation was already hugging the outside of the plastic cup a droplet of water dripping down her hand. It was as if Hannah was making an offering to an angry God. 'I know how it is hon,' her voice trailed off as if she caught herself mid-sentence and thought better of finishing it.

The air became uncomfortably still, between them danced an unspoken conversation, words that were better left unsaid. Clearing her throat Nettie shifted uncomfortably on her seat, 'well?' She questioned.

Fake indignation shot across Hannah's face, her mouth agape, her two blue eyes darting away from Nettie's dark uncompromising stare. 'Can't a friend just drop in to see how you're going?' she mused with a tell-tale mischievous purr.

'Not when it's you.' She said sharply. Placing the cup down she waved her hand to a pile of boxes all wrapped up and meticulously stacked upon one another, 'and as you can see I've been busy.' There was almost a triumphant note in her voice.

'And you know who else has been busy...'

'There it is.' Nettie snorted.

'Shush just wait until I tell you, you'll be besides yourself!' Hannah placed her own coffee cup in front of Nettie. Her palms laid flat on the desk as she bore straight into Nettie's eyes. Hannah was always one for the dramatic, especially when it came to gossip.

'Sinclair is back.'

Furrowing her brow Nettie tried to place the name, she rolled it over her tongue almost as if she were inspecting it. 'Sinclair?' Hannah let out an exasperated sigh at Nettie's exaggerated production. 'Not a clue who you are talking about.'

'Did all that city smog rot your brain, the Sinclair Leo Sinclair.' Hannah emphasized his name hoping that it would somehow spur on Nettie's memory.

Once again Nettie let the name roll around her mouth, Leo Sinclair. An instant recognition washed over her, 'the kid who was convinced in second grade that he was actually an anthropomorphic human lion hybrid who worked for the FBI?' Amusement tinged her voice.

'That was first grade... but yes and also your first...' Hannah stopped when Nettie raised her hand up shushing her, 'my first crush I know, I was 13 and honestly this was after witnessing his weird lion crime fighter craze which makes it far more embarrassing.'

Nettie was genuinely amused, she remembered those early teen years fondly, she remembered thinking at the time that life was daunting. Responsibility constantly looming over her, the strain of maintaining her parents' expectations. Now having lived the life she did she yearned for those easier times.

'Well, it did not help his mother called him Leo the Lion, I heard that's still his screen name.' Nettie attempted to hide her interest, 'I don't think anyone says "screen name" anymore. So, I guess he's back? Back back?' There was a twinge of guilt tightening in her chest now.

So many of her friends left Cronana because it was too small or too boring. What Nettie would give to have her time back. To take her 18-year-old face in her palms and beg her to stay, to beg her not to follow what she thought were her dreams. She wanted to beg her to enjoy the slow pace, live in the boredom and to feel safe.

Suddenly Nettie was brought back to earth with Hannah's fingers in front of her clicking aggressively, 'did you hear anything I just said?' There was a spark of... anger? In Hannah's eyes, it was there for a split second before quickly melting into concern. 'Sorry.'

Her voice quickly softened into what Nettie called Hanna's "Mama Bear" voice. It was calming and that drawl rolled her words effortlessly, 'I know it's been hard to adjust.' Nettie shot her friend a knowing stare, the "Please Just Shut Up" stare. Hannah raised her hands, 'sorry yes, sorry. Anyway, I was saying that he is back, but I don't know much more than that.' As she spoke her fingers playfully slid over the lip of her coffee cup. 'I do know he has moved back into the farm. By himself.'

Once again Nettie's felt her curiosity grow 'You just said you didn't know anything?'

'You hear things ya know, comes with the territory.' She snipped her fingers as if she were cutting hair, 'ain't much to do in this town other than gossip especially when ya'll in your sunset years.' Hannah cooed, bending herself down she rested her elbows on the table. Her eyes now intently staring at Hannah, her voice hushed to a conspiratorial whisper. 'So's, I heard he's back for good, and by himself. Julie says he got divorced four years ago but only just decided to come back.'

Nettie snorted, 'Julie, really?'

'I know she's good for her word,' Hannah protested. It was true Julie was the life blood of the town. Married to the towns Reverend she was the head gossip of her church group, a short rotund woman who would never miss an opportunity to criticise another under the guise of concern. Irony amused Nettie, she was sure that had to be a sin and if it weren't it should be thou shall not talk shite about thy neighbour.

'As much as I have enjoyed our little chat, I do have to get back to it.' Nettie once again gestured to her packages. It was as if she were fishing for a compliment having not received one the first time. There had been a surprising increase in sales ever since she started making videos and posting them on the internet. It turns out there was still a market for hand made candles and finally after 12 months since starting her business was starting to see a profit.

'You forgot the labels.' Hannah quickly spinning around before catching the rage she knew was going to be thrown at her.

'Wha...' Nettie looked over in horror. Laying to her left was the untouched sticker book of shipping labels. Hannah was right; she had wrapped the packages but had no idea of knowing which package was which. That all too familiar hot irritation bubbled inside her this time it washed over her like roaring waves crashing over sharp coastal rocks. Hannah made her swift exit she was well versed in her friend's famous white-hot temper which Nettie liked to say she got from her Irish blood despite being far removed.

Nettie wrapped her hands around one of the small candles. Her arm reeled back ready to throw it at the wall with all her might but at the last second, she stopped herself. The muscles in her arm twitched and ached as if trying to release their energy. Drawing in a deep breath and placed the candle back down...right on the edge of the desk. It took only a second for the candle the go topping to the ground. As if being watched by a vengeful ghost the glass landed on just the right angle to shatter scattering diamond like shards across the floor.

Releasing her held breath Nettie sighed, 'progress...'.