She rolled the new office chair under the old solid wood desk and took in the rest of the room. The old sleep-out had finally been cleared and set up as an office, albeit a very basic one. The rough cement floor beneath the desk was covered by a mat she’d bought at Dara’s shop and she’d hung some pictures on the wall. On top of the desk her laptop sat beside the new computer they’d bought several weeks ago when the satellite dish had been installed. Dan had moved the old metal filing cabinet from Rowena’s and Paula had placed a plant on top of it. She’d seen pictures of the long, tall plant in magazines and realised she had a patch of it growing beside the rainwater tank. With its deep green leaves edged in yellow it was quite distinctive and she’d read it didn’t require much care, which was perfect for her lack of green thumb. Evidently the plant was called mother-in-law’s tongue which had made Paula smile.

The phone rang again just as she was about to pull the door shut behind her. Paula hesitated, then went back inside. Perhaps it was Dan saying he didn’t need her to go into town now. She dropped her bag on the desk and picked up the receiver.

“Hello.”

“Rowena?” enquired a clear male voice.

“No, this is Paula. Rowena has a different…”

“Oh, have I got Mrs Woodcroft?” The voice emphasised the ‘Mrs’.

“Yes.” Paula replied reluctantly. Was this another of those call centre operators?

“Dan’s wife?”

“Yes.”

“My name is Glen Barrett, Dan’s lawyer. I need to speak with Dan. Is he at home?”

“No, he’s out in the paddock.” Paula wondered what Glen wanted. Dan had never elaborated on the appointment he and Rowena had attended in Adelaide with their lawyer. She assumed this was the same man. “Is it to do with his recent visit to you?”

“I’d like to speak with him fairly soon. I left a message on his mobile but he hasn’t replied.”

“He’s working in a poor signal area. Can I take a message?”

“Just ask him to call me back as soon as he can.”

“Okay, but…”

“Thanks, Mrs Woodcroft. Goodbye.”

Paula looked at the receiver and frowned. What could be so urgent about the paperwork for Rowena’s retirement fund?

She scribbled the lawyer’s name on a piece of paper and once again picked up her bag.

Paula found herself glancing at the clear blue sky as she drove into town. There was not a cloud in any direction and, outside, the vehicle was buffeted by a warm wind. She would have to make the trip again tomorrow for her next doctor’s appointment. If only Dan could have waited till then for his machinery parts.