In her free time, she planned to do some more sketches of the local area and put them up for sale. She had also seen an advertisement for an art course she’d decided to enrol in, so it seemed she would be pretty busy for the foreseeable future. Standing up, she unzipped her suitcase and carried the first pile of clothes across to the drawers. This was a new beginning. Small steps, she told herself firmly.

Elle put her pencil down at the familiar sound of the incoming video call, and smiled as her sister and niece appeared on the phone screen.

‘Hello. This is a nice surprise,’ Elle said.

‘Hey,’ Lauren said, struggling to keep Lucy on her lap. ‘Say hello to Aunty Elle.’

‘Hey, Lucy. Look how much you’ve grown,’ Elle said, surprised by the change. The chubby baby cheeks were gone and in their place was the face of a little girl. She listened as Lucy babbled something unintelligible before climbing down from her mother’s lap and wandering off to play.

‘I was just talking to Mum and Dad and thought I’d give you a call too. I’m a bit jealous everyone’s overseas and having a great time,’ Lauren said.

‘It’s pretty terrible,’ Elle said with a grin. ‘How’re Mum and Dad going?’

‘They’re happier than I’ve ever seen them. What did you do to our parents?’ Lauren asked in mock horror.

‘I guess I was destined to break them eventually,’ Elle said.

‘How are you?’ Lauren asked, and Elle heard the genuine interest behind the question.

‘I’m really good. Better than I’ve ever been,’ she added.

‘I heard you’re an in-demand artist nowadays,’ Lauren said, smiling.

Her first instinct was to deny it, but then she stopped and smiled. ‘I don’t know about in demand just yet, but my sketches are selling.’

‘That’s so exciting, Elle. I’m really proud of you.’

Elle took a moment to reply as her throat felt unexpectedly thick at her sister’s praise. ‘Thanks.’

They went on to discuss Malcolm’s latest bombshell, talking for the first time in ages more as friends than as older sister lecturing younger sister.

‘Have fun, but remember to stay in touch,’ Lauren said as they wound up the call.

‘I will. I’ll give you a ring next week.’

After they hung up, Elle found herself thinking about how much had changed since she’d left home. Maybe everyone in her family had been taking each other for granted a bit too much lately, and it had taken Elle leaving to bring them all closer. She had a feeling they would all be better for the experience, and a tiny bit of confidence began to unfurl inside her. Maybe she wasn’t the family disappointment after all.