“The daisies and some other plants in the front and side garden. I forgot to tell you the sheep got in there.”

“How did that happen?”

“I think it was when your cousin came. They must have left the front garden gate open.”

“Mum thinks we’ve got mice.” Susan waved a cup in Dan’s direction. “Tea?

“No thanks.”

“They’re elephant mice, if the destruction in the garden is anything to go on.” Rex came in from the verandah with a grin on his face and stepped aside to hold the door for his wife.

“Oh, Paula, how did the class go?” her mother said. “Did you meet the doctor? What’s happened to your lovely garden? It looks like something has eaten it?”

“Slow down, Mum. Paula’s had a busy day.” Susan put a cup of tea on the table for Paula. “You’ll wear her out with all your questions. Besides, she can only answer one at a time.”

“I’m sorry, darling. Are you okay?” Her mother propelled her to the chair in front of the tea.

“I’m fine, Mum.”

“How was the birthing class?”

“I’m not sure if it was what I expected but it was good to meet some other mums.”

“Sorry, everyone, but I’m off to bed.”

They all turned to look at Dan.

“I’ve an early start again tomorrow.”

“Goodness, it’s eleven o’clock,” Diane said. “We should all be in bed. Will Rupert be all right?”

“He’ll be fine, Mum,” Susan said. “I’m sleeping right beside him.”

“I won’t be long,” Paula called after Dan but, by the time she’d had a chat to Susan, finished her tea and turned off the lights, he was sound asleep.

Chapter 34

CHAPTER

34

“Oh, it’s you in here, Dan.”

Dan’s head flew up from the books and papers spread over the desk in front of him. His father-in-law was looking at him around the office door. “Hello, Rex. I thought you’d gone for a walk with the women before your big lunch with Rowena.”

Rex stepped in to the office. “And I thought Paula said you were working up in the shed. I wondered what the noise was in here.”

“I’m waiting for a mechanic to come and look at the truck. Thought I may as well tackle some paperwork. I have to plan how much seed we’ll need for the next year.”

Rex stood in the middle of the room as if he was inspecting it. He stared at one of the prints Paula had hung on the wall.

Dan quickly bent and slid the papers he’d been working on into the bottom drawer.

“Having trouble with it?”

Dan spun back to Rex who had turned his intense gaze to him. “With what?”

“The truck.”