“No, Mum, with the plants and the drippers for the garden, you’ve spent heaps already. Anyway, it’s not just the money. Dan is far too busy to help with it at the moment.”

“That’s why you should get a plumber to come and do the lot.”

Paula was beginning to wish she hadn’t shown them her ‘spare ablutions block’. “It’ll be fine.”

“Oh dear. I wish…”

“Look, Mum,” Alison called from the back fence. “I think that daisy’s going to live after all. I can see some tiny green shoots on it.”

“I told you it would do better if you chopped it right back.” Her mother strode off to inspect it. “No need to buy all new plants like you wanted to do. Some of these old bushes just needed some love and care. They’re well suited to the dry climate. And Paula is lucky to have sheep manure on hand. In the city we have to buy it.”

Paula smiled as her sister winked in her direction. It had been especially nice to have Alison visit. They’d had lots of long chats about pregnancy and Alison had filled her in on what family and friends were doing back in Sydney. Paula didn’t miss that life but she had to admit it had been enjoyable to have company.

Dan was working long hours again. She felt a little guilty that she’d hardly seen him while her family had been staying. He was often gone all day and came in for a late meal, then fell into bed. She’d stayed up most nights talking with Alison and then woken after he’d gone each morning.

The sound of a vehicle made them all look up and, to her surprise, Dan pulled up at the gate in the dual cab.

“Saved by the return of the man of the house,” Alison said quietly in Paula’s ear. “I think it’s best if we don’t mention plumbing again.”

Paula rolled her eyes and Isabelle and Oscar careered past to meet Dan. They squealed with delight as he picked one up in each arm and swung them around. Tarzan barked, adding to the commotion.

“Considering my children have hardly had anything to do with Dan, he’s certainly a hit.”

“It’s that farm-boy charm,” Paula said with a smile. She moved over to where Dan was placing the now-giddy children back on the ground. “I wasn’t expecting you for lunch.”

“Bit of a hold up,” he said, “so I thought I’d come and spend some time with my favourite women and children before they leave.”

“Dan, I’m glad you’re here,” Diane said. “I want to talk to you about…”