“There you are, Paula.” Her mother patted her arm again. “We were just saying before you came back that it would make much better sense for you to move into Rowena’s house.”

Paula looked from one woman to the other. Her mother was watching her expectantly and Rowena had a smug look on her face. This was obviously the conversation Alison had warned her about.

“It’s a much more modern home,” her mother continued.

“And you wouldn’t have to waste money doing it up. I’m sure Dan would agree.” Rowena’s steely gaze swept over her.

Paula couldn’t believe it. Rowena had convinced her own mother to gang up on her. “I am sure he wouldn’t,” she said with more conviction than she felt. Had Dan been discussing a move with Rowena? “You don’t need to worry, Mum. There’s nothing really wrong with the place and we love it. We won’t be moving from Wood Dell.” She stood up. “I think it’s time we went home. I have the evening meal to prepare.” Paula turned on her heels and went off in search of Alison. She needed someone on her side until Dan came home.

* * *

“Glen, I’ve caught up with you at last.” Dan kept his tone light but every nerve was on edge. He’d been trying for several days to reach his lawyer. Each time Glen had been unavailable and Dan had left messages saying not to call. He didn’t want Paula involved in whatever it was Glen had discovered about the will. Dan hoped it might be good news.

“Yes, Dan, I’m afraid there’s still more work to do on this will. I’m exploring some options but I have a greater concern at the moment.”

“What’s that?”

“The second loan you have. Did Rowena okay that?”

Dan thought for a moment. The question wasn’t something he’d expected. “Of course.” He wasn’t able to make any financial decisions without Rowena’s approval, as executor of his father’s will. “I also ran it past Bill Clavell, my accountant, and the bank went over it with a fine-tooth comb. I had plenty of equity and they said it wasn’t a problem. I used the money to go into a sheep breeding partnership with my neighbour. I know the season isn’t looking good but we can…”

“It’s not that, Dan. Wood Dell is not actually yours until you turn thirty and everything can be finalised. You can borrow against it to a small degree, which is what you did when you bought that new piece of land…the Harvey place, but the second loan is illegal. It puts you over the amount you can borrow. Rowena should never have approved it. You need to pay it back immediately.”