Paula turned to Rowena who was hastily brushing at her eyes. “You’re still executor of your brother’s will and not compelled to give Jacinta one cent if you don’t want to. Glen has found out a bit more since you spoke to him last. Evidently Stewart wasn’t aware of Jacinta and her mother’s plan to get their hands on Wood Dell. He’s in the process of setting up an agribusiness where they live. He has no intention of moving to South Australia.”

“Yes!” Dan yelled and fell onto the bed dragging Paula into his embrace. “That is the best news,” he mumbled into her hair. They both looked to Rowena who still hadn’t spoken.

“After the news of your son, Dan.” There was a hint of reprimand in her soft reply. “Yes it is.”

Paula could see more tears forming in Rowena’s eyes. “How about you go and find us a cup of tea, Dan?” Paula suggested.

“Or something stronger,” he said as he hurried off.

Now that it was just her and Rowena, there was an awkward silence. Rowena sat back in the chair and glanced around the room.

“You’ve got some beautiful flowers,” she murmured.

“Yes.”

“How much longer will the baby need to be under this light Dan was talking about?”

“We don’t know.” Paula pictured her baby in the nursery, naked except for the little patches to protect his eyes from the light. “We’ll take you to see him in a while.”

“Paula…I…”

“Don’t, Rowena.”

“Please let me finish. It seems I’ve made some dreadful mistakes but I’ve been thinking about all the angst I’ve created and you being left alone and worrying. I would hate to think that anything I did caused you to go into labour early.”

Paula grinned. “Rowena, you are an influential woman but I don’t think even you could do that.”

“I brought a gift.” Rowena waved towards a parcel at the end of the bed.

Paula undid the ribbon and folded back the tissue paper. “Oh, it’s beautiful.” She lifted the long white gown up for a closer inspection.

“If you ever decide on a name, I am assuming your son will be baptised. That gown was another of Grandma Woodcroft’s creations.”

Paula ran her fingers over the soft fabric and admired the delicate stitches.

“She made it for Dan. I found it when I discovered the other baby things I gave you but it had a few tiny holes in it. A friend of mine repaired it and it’s washed up well…by hand of course.”

“Thank you.” Paula climbed off the bed and hugged Rowena.

“Everyone okay in here?” Dan struggled in juggling the cups. “They don’t sell beer at the cafeteria.”