Carefully, Paula picked up the shawl and held it out. It fell in soft folds and she could see it had been knitted in a circular fashion, the intricate pattern as fine as a spider’s web. She couldn’t help but bring it to her face and brush its softness across her cheek. It smelled faintly of lavender. “It’s beautiful,” she said. Tears brimmed in her eyes again.

“I’d better get going.” Rowena plucked some fluff from her shirt. “You will need to mash those potatoes and put the meat in a casserole with the potato on top and some grated cheese and breadcrumbs. Brown it in the oven for about fifteen minutes.” She picked up her bag from the dresser and waved her hand in the direction of the box. “There are a few other baby things of Dan’s in there. Might not be much use. You can decide. And Dan had better come over and go through his cupboards. He still has clothes and bits and pieces there. I don’t know what’s important and what’s not. There’s a lovely old chest of drawers that might be nice for the baby’s room.”

She bustled to the door. Paula was riveted to the spot clutching the beautiful shawl. Rowena stopped and looked back at her.

“Oh, and I’ve already washed that shawl. It has to be done by hand. Not very practical, I suppose. I know you young people like to throw everything in the machine these days. See you.”

Rowena waggled her fingers at Paula and sailed through the door. Tarzan made no attempt to follow. Paula chewed her bottom lip as she listened to the footsteps retreat. Once she heard the bang of the outer door, she sank onto a chair and let out the giggle she’d been trying to control. Life with Rowena was full of surprises. Paula almost believed she would miss Dan’s aunt, once she married and moved to Adelaide.

Chapter 8

CHAPTER

8

“Hello, Tom.” Paula stepped back from the door. “Would you like to come in? Sorry I took so long to answer. We’ve painted the baby’s room and I was in there cleaning up.”

She half turned, expecting Tom to follow her but he remained hovering in the doorway. A blowfly buzzed past his head. No doubt it had detected the smell of the bones she was cooking to make a broth for soup. She wasn’t a confident cook but through the winter she had learned the art of making delicious soup, with the help of Dara and Chris.

“Sorry.” Tom stepped in quickly and pulled the screen door shut behind him. The screen was a recent addition. There had only been the old wooden door when Paula had first moved in.