“Darling, surely you don’t mean you had to use that?”

“Yes, several times, although at least not at night. Did you have to go to the toilet all the time when you were pregnant, Alison? I’ve started waking at night to go.”

“Get used to it, baby sister. You’ll be up at night for one reason or another for the rest of your life.”

“But darling this is so, so…oh dear.”

“It was better than squatting among the lizards.”

“Paula, I do hope you’re joking.” Her mother stepped back around the stone wall and into the backyard. “Lizards and goodness knows what else. Are Isabelle and Oscar safe there?”

Paula looked over to where her niece and nephew were playing with a ball and Tarzan on the small patch of freshly cut lawn. A little pang of remorse wormed inside her. She knew how terrified her mother was of mice. It wasn’t kind to tease her about creepy crawly things. “Of course they are, Mum.”

“Oh dear,” her mother mumbled again.

“I think you’re very resourceful.” Alison smirked and waved her cup at Paula. “You’re turning into one of those amazing country women who can deal with wayward plumbing one minute and serve tea and cakes on the best china the next.”

Paula smiled. If she was being honest it was only bravado. Since her close encounter with the prehistoric monster that Dan had said was only a sleepy lizard, she’d come across several more of the ghastly reptiles but never with her pants down at least. She really didn’t like them. They had a happy knack of appearing from a bush or in the grass right by her feet and each time she’d give an involuntary squeal. Tarzan barked and snapped at them and even though Dan had reassured her the brave dog would be fine she was worried he’d get bitten. Luckily, while her family had been here, they’d only seen them on the roads.

“Tarzan’s only small. You should get a bigger dog,” her mother said, still casting a wary eye around the garden. “Surely a big dog would keep any unwanted pests away.”

“I’ve been thinking about another working dog. I’ve seen a dear little pup over at Monica Brown’s but I’m not sure. I’d like to give it to Dan as a surprise for his birthday. His old dog died a while ago. Rocket was a help with the sheep but animals are such a tie and we’ll soon have Rowena’s chooks moved up here as well.”

“Oh dear, what about the bird flu?”

Alison glared at her mother. “Mum, get a grip.” Then she grinned at Paula. “You’ll have Old McDonald’s Farm before you know it. Just promise me you won’t ever go into town dressed like that.”