“I didn’t think anything of it then. I didn’t know I’d done the wrong thing. I thought if Jacinta could see all the costs of running the place she might not think it such a gold mine and realise how difficult it would be for us to pay her much.”

“It just gets worse.” Dan shook his head then he sat up. “We’ve been assuming Jacinta wants everything, but what if she just wants a payout?”

Rowena snorted.

“It’s possible, isn’t it?’

“Possible that she might accept a payout but not possible we’ve got any way of paying her without selling off land and if we did that we’d have to pay out our own loans first. Anyway, Wood Dell isn’t a big enough property now to start selling bits of it off. That’s why we bought Harvey’s place and we’ve got as much debt as collateral will allow.”

Dan slumped back in his seat. He knew all this but he couldn’t help trying to find a way out of the mess they were in.

“Think about my offer of the money.” Rowena switched off the aircon. “We’d better get inside before Paula comes looking for us.”

* * *

Loud laughter echoed around the table. Paula turned from the bench and took in the scene. Bruce had just told a stupid joke and made everyone laugh. Even Louise, who had trailed behind Tom almost quivering with shyness at the start of the evening, was now leaning back in her chair, giggling. Andrew jumped up from the pile of trucks he’d been pushing around on the floor and climbed on to his father’s lap and James chortled happily in Jane’s arms. Ted hadn’t said a word out of place and Heather appeared to be enjoying herself.

Paula turned back to the dishes she was stacking, happy she had organised the barbecue. Everyone was having a good time and even though the fellas had muttered when a light rain had started to fall, they seemed to have forgotten about it for the moment.

“What are you smiling about? Surely you haven’t succumbed to that weak joke of Bruce’s?”

Paula looked up as Dara put another stack of plates beside her. The deep creases in Dara’s face were turned up in a big grin.

“I am enjoying the moment.” Paula grinned too. “I don’t care if Bruce tells lame jokes, I’m just pleased to see everyone relaxed. I never thought I’d say it when I first came here but I really enjoy entertaining at home and, thanks to you, my cooking is improving.”

“It’s just confidence and practice. Did you make the cake?” Dara wiggled a finger towards the huge chocolate cake smothered in frosty icing and dotted with candles.