‘He suggested we go to Fiji, you know,’ Carole confessed. ‘But how can I leave my babies behind?’ She smiled and patted Mandy’s hand. ‘Who’s this, then?’ Carole looked at Nicole.

‘Hi. I’m Nicole. I’m living in Ivy Wilson’s cottage.’

‘Really? Where is Ivy, then? Is she with you?’

‘She’s gone, Mum. Remember?’ Mandy’s shoulders slumped.

‘We must be due another picnic. Will she be back soon?’

Nicole glanced at the ground. Despite the age of her parents when they passed, they’d been spared the horror of diminishing faculties – their bodies had given up well before their minds. She had never spent time with someone in Carole’s condition. It was far more confronting than she’d have imagined.

‘He won’t be there, will he?’ Carole grabbed Nicole’s arm. ‘There’s something about him.’

‘Who, Carole?’ Nicole asked.

A soft, purple bell fell from the branch above and landed on Carole’s shoulder. She turned her head to look at it as if studying its fragile form for botanical detail, or trying to read tiny lettering printed on its delicate flute. Then she carefully lifted it from its resting place, laid it beside her and stared ahead with altered eyes.

Silence settled over the three of them.

Mandy took her mother’s hand and smiled lovingly at her. She kissed her on the forehead.

‘That’s it for the day,’ she whispered to Nicole.

‘I’ll be back tomorrow, Mum.’ She adjusted the blanket over Carole’s legs and Nicole followed her out of the home.

‘Sorry. We didn’t really get much information about Ivy. Come back for a cuppa,’ Mandy suggested, ‘and I’ll dig out some old photos.’

Nicole went back to Mandy’s house with her, where they found Trevor stretched out on the banana lounge on the back patio. Jack was sprawled across the lounge with the TV on full bore. Mandy waved hello to her son as she turned the TV volume down, receiving barely a nod in response.

‘Mandy?’ Nicole stopped as they walked into Mandy’s kitchen. ‘I’m sorry. It must be so hard, watching your mum, well, I …’ She reached and touched Mandy’s arm.

‘Nothing to be sorry for.’ Mandy sighed. ‘Believe it or not, that was one of her better days.’

‘How do you do it? Find the strength?’

‘She’s my mum,’ Mandy replied with a shrug.

A stab of pain hit Nicole’s chest. What she wouldn’t give to have her own mother back again.

‘It’s okay. Really. I enjoy the trips down memory lane. It was hard at first, but we’re used to it now. Come. Sit down.’