Page 52 of Outback Hearts

The applause became a roar.

‘This is because of Alex’s initiative, Jake’s hard work, and you,’ Bill continued, gesturing to the crowd. ‘This community. Your generosity, your vision, your refusal to let Garnet Creek fade away. Thank you.’

More applause. Amelia felt tears prick her eyes. Jake’s hand found hers, squeezed gently.

‘It’s happened,’ he said quietly, just to her. ‘Dad’s dream has happened.’

As the formal program ended and the party atmosphere took over, Amelia noticed someone approaching who made her tense: Margaret Thornton, walking alone towards where Jake and Alex stood.

The crowd noticed too, conversations trailing off, everyone watching.

Margaret stopped in front of Alex, her expression unreadable. For a long moment, no one spoke.

Then Margaret said, voice carrying in the sudden quiet: ‘I was wrong.’

Alex blinked. ‘Sorry?’

‘I was wrong,’ Margaret repeated, louder. ‘About this project. About you. About what Garnet Creek needs.’ She paused, seeming to struggle with words. ‘I’ve lived here my whole life. Seventy-two years. I’ve seen every attempt to revitalise this town fail. So when you proposed this restoration, I assumed it would fail, too. I opposed it not because I wanted it to fail, but because I was trying to protect us from another disappointment.’

She looked around at the crowd, the partially restored building, and the obvious community support. ‘But you’ve succeeded where others failed. You’ve brought energy and life and hope. You’ve proven that with enough determination and community support, we can save what matters.’ She turned back to Alex. ‘I was wrong to oppose you. And I apologise.’

The silence stretched, broken only by the evening breeze through the trees.

Then Alex extended his hand. ‘Apology accepted. Fresh start?’

Margaret shook his hand firmly. ‘Fresh start.’ She looked at Jake. ‘If you need any help going forward—administrative support, council advocacy, whatever—I’m offering. I know people, I know how this town works. Let me help.’

‘We’d be glad to have your help,’ Jake said, clearly stunned but gracious.

Margaret nodded once, sharply, then turned and walked back through the crowd. Jennifer followed, looking equally shocked.

The moment Margaret was out of earshot, the entire crowd erupted in excited chatter.

‘Did that really just happen?’ Davo asked, appearing beside Amelia.

‘I think Margaret Thornton has become our ally,’ Amelia said, still processing.

‘Stranger things have happened,’ Brian said. ‘Actually, no. This might be the strangest thing I’ve ever seen. Margaret admitting she was wrong? That’s unheard of.’

But Harriet was smiling. ‘She’s proud,’ she said to those nearby. ‘Too proud to admit mistakes easily. But she’s also honest. When she’s genuinely wrong, she owns it. You’ve earned her respect, and that’s not easily done.’

The party continued until after dark, people lingering, reluctant to leave. The lights strung around the site twinkled against the deepening sky. The building looked magical, promising, like it was already halfway to its former glory.

Around nine, as the crowd finally thinned, Jake found Amelia on the scaffolding again—their spot, where they’d had so many important conversations.

‘You keep coming up here,’ he said, climbing up to join her.

‘Best view,’ Amelia said. ‘And it’s peaceful.’

They sat side by side, legs dangling over the edge, watching the remaining party-goers below.

‘We did it,’ Jake said quietly. ‘Fully funded, community support, even Margaret converted. Against all odds, we’re actually going to finish this project.’

‘Never doubted it,’ Amelia said.

‘Liar,’ Jake said fondly. ‘You doubted it plenty. I saw you that morning after the vandalism. You thought we might have to quit.’

‘For about five minutes,’ Amelia admitted. ‘Then forty people showed up to help, and I remembered why we were doing this.’