RICKY'S POV:

"What's that?" Brax asked a few mornings later as I walked up the driveway, reading a letter addressed to us both

"A letter from Aaron's pre-school," I informed him "they're holding a parent/teacher evening on Friday night so we can find out he's getting on and see some of his work."

"Okay," he replied "I'll find someone to work my shift for me."

Nodding my head in agreement, I smiled at him warmly… "Love you."

"Where did that come from?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow at me

"Is a wife not allowed to tell her husband she loves him?" I inquired

"You are," he replied, kissing me gently "and I love you too. I better be going…"

"I thought we were finishing off the last minute bits for Katie's party?" I questioned

"Stop panicking; everything is gonna be organised by Saturday, I promise." he assured me

"I know it is," I admitted "but I just wanna make sure things are done when they're meant to be so I can have it all sorted in my head and not be running around like a headless chicken on the day."

"You're gonna be running around like a headless chicken anyway…" he chuckled

"Brax…" I sighed

"Sorry," he replied "so I'm guessing I'll see you at the restaurant later?"

I nodded my head, signalling yes… "See you later."

"Love you." he stated, kissing me softly before grabbing his keys and leaving the house

CASEY'S POV:

"Welcome back!" Denny proclaimed, hugging me tightly as I walked into our form room that morning

"Thanks." I replied, smiling at her warmly as she pulled away

"How're you feeling?" she questioned, raising an eyebrow at me

"Still a bit sore, but nothing I can't handle." I replied

"Good to see you back, Case!" Ben proclaimed, slapping my back as he walked past

"Did he have something to do with it?" Denny inquired as he reached his seat

I shook my head, signalling no, swallowing a lump in my throat as I glanced in his direction before sitting down myself…

BRAX'S POV:

A little after the dinnertime rush that afternoon, Ricky made her way into the restaurant and over to the bar… "Hello."

"Hello," she mirrored "so, what do we have?"

"We have the balloons, the cake, the music sorted, we have the face painter booked and we have the food organised. Everything's under control" I informed her "what about the guest list?"

"Excuse me…" an unfamiliar male voice spoke as I waited for Ricky's reply

"Twenty, including us." she replied

Nodding my head in understanding, I turned to the guy who'd spoke… "How can I help?"

"Are you Darryl Braxton?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow at me

"Depends who wants to know?" I inquired

"I'm Kyle. I was asking around for jobs and John Palmer told me you were looking for a new waiter?" he informed me

"I've not seen you around before. Where are you from?" I asked

"I've not long been here from Perth," he replied "here's my CV."

Taking the piece of paper from it, I scanned it… "All this looks good. Why don't you go and wait in my office and I'll be through in a minute?"

Nodding his head, signalling yes, he made his way through to the office and I turned to Ricky…

"I've gotta get going anyway," she informed me "see you tonight."

"See you tonight." I mirrored, kissing her gently, watching her as she left the restaurant

"Right, Kyle…" I greeted him as I walked into my office a couple of minutes later "you've had some experience I see, but what about your references? They're not noted down…"

"Unfortunately the business I used to work for closed down," he admitted "and the owner suffered a breakdown. That's the only experience I've had, I'm afraid."

"Right," I replied, continuing to scan his CV "what are you like with people?"

"I'd like to think I'm okay," he informed me "I can socialise if that's what you're wondering?"

Nodding my head, I continued to scan his CV… "Okay, you've got a trial, but it's a very important trial. We're hosting my daughter's birthday party here on Saturday afternoon, and everything has to be perfect. Do well with this task, you've got the job."

"I won't let you down." he assured me

"That's what I like to hear," I replied, holding out my hand for him to shake "welcome aboard."

"Thank you." he stated, smiling at me warmly

So, who's Kyle? And Casey's back at school but still feeling intimidated by Ben. Will it ever stop?