Paula cursed herself for mentioning it. She didn’t want to spoil the mood. “I had some unexpected visitors the other day,” she said quickly. “Dan’s cousin.”

The cup of tea Rowena was putting in front of Paula rattled on its saucer. Paula reached forward quickly to steady it as the contents slopped wildly from side to side.

“Dan doesn’t have a cousin.” Rowena spun away to the sink.

“Well, this woman said she was his cousin and when I said Jacinta had been…”

“Jacinta was here!”

Paula looked up at the alarm in Rowena’s voice.

“Yesterday. She said they called past your place but…”

“They?”

“Jacinta and her husband, Stewart.”

“No one else?”

“I didn’t see their car but I don’t think so.”

“Why would Jacinta come here?” Rowena slid into her chair without pouring herself a cup of tea.

Paula was confused by her reaction. “Is Jacinta Dan’s cousin or not?”

“Her father, Freddy, was my cousin.”

“Does that mean she’s a second cousin. Is that how it works?

“I suppose so.” Rowena’s voice was distant and she brushed at the crumbs of coconut on the table.

“Dan’s never mentioned any cousin,” Paula said.

“He didn’t know about them until recently. Dan’s father was close to Jacinta’s father, but they’re both dead now. Freddy’s wife Beryl and I didn’t get on. I didn’t see the need to keep in touch.”

“Maybe having a baby made Jacinta curious.”

Rowena’s eyes snapped to Paula’s. “She had the baby with her?”

“Yes and no. She’s pregnant. Due the month before me, I think.”

“Well, I don’t know why she would call in here.” Rowena stood up again and started stacking dishes into the sink with such ferocity Paula thought something was sure to break.

She was baffled by Rowena’s agitation. “Jacinta said they were having a holiday before the baby was born and called in on the off-chance of seeing you and Dan, I guess.”

“Knowing Jacinta she would have had a purpose.” The metal plug clanged against a plate. “She was always trouble.”

Paula placed a hand over her stomach where the baby was stretching. She didn’t like the tone of Rowena’s voice. It was almost… foreboding.

“Where’s Dan working today?” Rowena’s question came out of the blue.

“I’m not…I don’t know.”

“What about his lunch? I’ve plenty of leftovers. You really should make sure he’s got food, Paula.”

Rowena’s words stung.

“He has got food. I packed his lunch myself.” She stood up. “He didn’t tell me exactly where he’d be but I’m sure if you called him on the radio you could find out and run some out to him.” Paula knew her voice was sharp but she couldn’t help it.