Paula made her way to the backyard but there was no sign of them there. Inside the enclosed verandah she slid off her boots and the sound of Rowena’s raised voice echoed from the kitchen. Uncle Gerald was nearly deaf, so conversation with him was always at high volume.

Paula stepped up through the back door and into the short passage that led to the bathroom and laundry in one direction and the kitchen in the other. The savoury smell of meat cooking reached her. She was sure she’d turned off the stove before she had gone with Dan.

Rowena looked up from the saucepan she was stirring as Paula entered the kitchen.

“There you are, Paula. I was just telling Uncle Gerald you wouldn’t be far away. Your back door was wide open. Would you like a cup of tea? I’ve just made one.”

Paula looked from Rowena to the old man sitting at her table. He had on his usual white shirt with the sleeves rolled up and suspenders to hold up his brown pinstriped trousers. He gave her a cheery wave and she smiled back.

“Sit down and I’ll bring it to you.”

Paula was speechless. She felt like a guest in her own home. Rowena was cooking the evening meal and Uncle Gerald had a cup of tea and a plate of dainty cakes and biscuits set out in front of him. Paula knew they weren’t from her kitchen. Tucked up on his lap was the traitorous Tarzan who was looking too comfortable to pay her much attention. Some guard dog she had. She glared at his one open eye as she slipped onto the chair beside Uncle Gerald.

“Has Dan had you working?” Rowena said.

“Dan is always working,” Uncle Gerald said. “Just like his grandfather that one – busy, busy, busy.” He took a slurp of his tea.

“I had to drive the vehicle back from the corner paddock. He’s shifting the spray unit to the Harvey place.” Paula felt a little smug. Dan might tease her but at least she was beginning to get her head around the place names.

“Where’s Tom?” Rowena asked.

Uncle Gerald looked towards the door. “Where?”

Rowena clicked her tongue. “I said, where’s Tom?”

“That’s what I said.” Uncle Gerald frowned at Rowena.

“At a football meeting,” Paula said quickly.

Rowena put a cup of tea in front of Paula.

“Football’s finished. They won, you know,” Uncle Gerald said and put his cup down on the table with a decisive thump.

“Did you go to the game?” Paula asked. She was distracted by Rowena buzzing around the kitchen.