“Really? My family always plays games at Christmas time. Whenever two or more sit down for a minute, someone drags out an old game or maybe the new one they got for Christmas.” She stopped as a lump formed in her throat. She’d been fine about not going to Sydney once it had been decided for sure that they wouldn’t go. Even with her family ringing this morning, she hadn’t been nostalgic. Now this discussion of games was threatening to undo her.

“Hang on.” Dan jumped to his feet. “I forgot. There’s something else. Wait there!” He dashed out the door.

Paula slapped gently at her cheeks to banish the doldrums, and he was back with his arms behind him.

“Sorry it’s not wrapped.” He swung out a large brown paper carry bag and put it on her lap.

Paula peeped inside. “My own hat.” She giggled and pulled it from the bag. It was the colour of wheat and made from woven straw. She put it on her head. “Now I won’t have to borrow your Akubra when I’m out in the sun.”

“Right, come on.” Dan dragged her to her feet. “Let’s start this turkey cooking, feed the dogs and then I’m going to challenge you to the inaugural Woodcroft Yahtzee play-off.” There was a mischievous glint in his gorgeous blue eyes. “Winner gets to decide on the prize.”

“Is that so?”

“And I warn you,” he said, “I may be rusty but I always play to win.”

Several hours later they were back on the couch. Paula had Christmas music playing and the lights flashed on the Christmas tree. They’d been dozing, both full from their late Christmas lunch and, although she’d had only a few sips of wine and the day wasn’t hot, Paula felt groggy.

“I can’t believe we’re being so lazy. Is this what the next four days will be like? If so, bring it on,” she said.

“If I keep winning Yahtzee, you may regret being on holidays.” Dan grinned. “I haven’t collected my prize yet.” He leaned closer and pushed her back on the couch.

Paula stiffened. “Did you hear that?”

“Nothing,” he mumbled as he kissed her neck.

“I thought I heard the dogs bark.”

Dan lifted his head for a second. “No.”

His kisses became more intense and she tried to relax but then she heard a distant thud.

“Dan, I’m sure I can hear something.”

“It’s my thumping heart,” he whispered in her ear.

There was a clunk from beyond the lounge.

Dan lifted his head again. “That sounded like the passage door.”

Paula peered over his shoulder just as the door from the kitchen flung open. “Arrgh!” she screamed.

Dan leaped up, missed his footing and landed on his behind on the floor.

“Bloody hell, Uncle Gerald.” He rubbed the ear that Paula had screamed into. “You really should knock.”