Homebush Temple was a dynamic place, despite its unassuming appearance: marriages were negotiated and arranged; families surreptitiously observed potential husbands and wives for their children; the Year 12 results of young Tamils were compared; rumours were started and scandals exaggerated; births were celebrated and divorces whispered about; Sri Lankan politics were debated, and more marriages negotiated. In her prime, Nala could arrange a marriage, a dinner and a game of cards all before she had circumnavigated the temple once. Rajan did not consider this a valuable skill. What did he know? People prayed, they connected with God and with each other.

She proudly showed off her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to the ladies who greeted her warmly. Everyone wanted to kiss her. Rajan told her off, lecturing her that ‘this kissing business is unhygienic and unseemly. Especially at your age, you have to be very careful about germ transfer.’

‘It’s true,’ added Ahalya, who shared Rajan’s aversion to germs. ‘Germ transfer can be deadly.’

Nala laughed out loud, tears in her eyes. Dhara had been so proud of her grandchildren.

‘Sshh,’ said Priya, ‘the priest is coming.’ Her face had aged. She held out her arms nervously and then insistently to Ahalya and Rishi. Smrithi couldn’t look at her, but she pushed her children forward and they ran happily into their grandmother’s tight embrace. Priya exhaled.

Nala leaned over and whispered to Smrithi, ‘You know, you are very lucky I’ve lived to see you move back to Sydney. I never thought I would make it.’

‘I know, I really thought you’d be dead by now,’ Smrithi replied.

Nala burst out laughing again, earning her more annoyed looks from her husband. Smrithi’s son ran up to Rajan, offering him a handful of sticky, sweaty sugar candy. Rajan laughed, and surprisingly accepted his unhygienic gift.

Nala caught Smrithi watching the exchange between one of the youngest and the oldest. Her granddaughter smiled, finally looking a little more comfortable.

After they prayed, Nandan took her home to her apartment. The rest of the family was on its way over. She had been cooking for days, despite her children’s instructions not to ‘go overboard’. She would throw Priya overboard if she scolded or advised her one more time.