The wind whipped hair across her face and sucked the moisture from her mouth. Paula picked up the empty laundry basket. Spud sat up and watched her expectantly. She glanced over at Tarzan but he hadn’t moved.

“Come on, little fella,” she said to the pup and they both escaped into the cool of the house.

Paula had one more load of washing to hang out. The machine had stopped and she went to retrieve the last lot of clothes. The sooner she got the washing out and in, the sooner she could stay inside out of the heat.

The familiar smell of grey water greeted her.

“Not again,” she moaned at the sight of the old troughs full of water. She stuck her hand into each one feeling for the plughole, hoping that something had fallen in to block it, but there was nothing there.

She hauled the wet clothes out of the washing machine. At least she could hang them out. The basket was heavy to lift and she stepped carefully down the step from the laundry by the toilet door then stopped. If the troughs were full maybe the toilet had backed up as well. She put down the basket and gingerly pushed open the toilet door.

Spud followed closely by her feet as she peered into the bowl. The water level was halfway up the pan.

“Damn!” she muttered.

At least the water was clear but she couldn’t use the toilet. She’d have to use the outdoor one again. Just thinking about it made her want to go. The baby was taking up a lot more room these days and her bladder seemed to have shrunk.

The old chair she’d used as a toilet seat was in the car shed along with the shovel she needed to dig another hole. She shut Spud in the house. There was enough for her to contend with. She didn’t need him sticking his nose where it wasn’t wanted and she would shut Tarzan in the enclosure that circled his kennel.

By the time she’d dug the hole and placed the chair over it, she’d worked up quite a sweat. The combination of the strong wind and the powdery soil had coated her in dust. She was glad she’d dragged on an old pair of maternity jeans that Jane had given her and one of Dan’s old t-shirts. Her socks felt wet inside the rubber boots she’d pulled on in case of snakes.

She couldn’t wait to get back inside and strip off. Pity she wouldn’t be able to have a shower. She’d have to ring the plumber straight away. Why did these things happen when Dan wasn’t around?

Strangely, now that it was organised, she no longer had the urge to use her makeshift toilet. At least it would be ready for when she did need it.