He climbed out but she’d already turned away. By the time he’d followed her to the door, removed his boots and come inside the house was quiet.

“Rowena?”

“In the sunroom.”

He padded through the silent kitchen. No sound of a kettle or signs of a cuppa being made. He stopped under the arch. Rowena sat at her little table which was bare of anything except a large yellow envelope.

“What’s this?” he asked but felt sure he already knew the answer.

“It’s from Jacinta’s lawyer.” Rowena looked up at him, her face drawn. “She wants everything, Dan.”

“Well she can’t have it. We’ll take her to court.”

“She knows about my mistake with the loan.”

“Bloody hell.” Dan sank onto the chair opposite his aunt.

“She came here.”

“When?”

“A few days after she visited your place. She threatened me.”

“What?” Dan grabbed Rowena’s hand across the table. “Did she hurt you? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“She didn’t physically threaten me. It was about my executor powers. She implied she won’t follow up on it as long as I give her what she wants. And she wants Wood Dell.”

* * *

“I did warn you it would be a circus.” Paula’s sister Susan raised her voice above the loud wails of her son as she changed his nappy on the lounge-room floor.

“Poor baby, he’s exhausted.” Their mother bent from her chair to run her fingers gently over Rupert’s forehead. “It’s been a big day.”

Paula glanced warily at her nephew’s scrunched face. He sucked in a breath and let out another series of wails. “He’s certainly got good lungs.”

“I am trying to listen to the news, Susan. Can’t you take him somewhere else?”

Paula and Susan glanced at their father then back at each other and grinned.

“Now Rex, he’ll soon be settled.” Diane patted her husband’s arm.

“Once I get the boob in his mouth, he’ll shut up.” Susan picked up her baby.

Rupert continued to scream, his chubby little legs stuck out stiffly from his body. Susan sank into a chair and put him to her breast. There were some snorts and snuffles then the only sound was the television newsreader.

“At last,” Rex muttered.

Paula looked at her sister. Susan took everything in her stride. Rupert’s screaming had set Paula on edge but Susan didn’t appear worried. She had the baby bundled in close and her face glowed beneath her neatly cropped auburn hair.

“Do you need any help with the roast?”

Paula glanced at her watch. “No thanks, Mum. Everything’s ready. I had hoped Dan would be home but we might have to start without him.”

“No rush. We had a big lunch. Those pasties were delicious, weren’t they, Susan?”

“Divine. I’ve never eaten anything like them in Sydney.”