‘Yes. I’d much prefer you found a man.’ Mim peered through the screen door to check Stella wasn’t in earshot. ‘You are your own woman, but you need to take a break from being careful all the time.’

‘Really? Do you think so?’ Ava rubbed her palms together softly as if they were cold. She’d lost her daughter and now she’d almost lost Zac – she might still lose Zac.

Ava saw Mim’s face crumple as she looked at the calendar. ‘Oh, sweetness, I missed Amelia’s birthday.’ She crossed the room and hugged her granddaughter and Ava hugged her back. Dear Mim. Ava’s throat scratched as she hugged harder.

Ava whispered, ‘She’d have been five. Starting school.’ Then she lifted a resolute face, despite the pain behind the eyes. ‘Does it get any easier? Pop’s been gone ten years now.’

Mim nodded, understanding in her faded blue eyes. ‘Not easier, but kinder. Though I have memories of Max while you have unfulfilled dreams for your Amelia. But,’ she stepped back and searched her granddaughter’s face, ‘you know neither of us would have missed the pain to keep the joy.’

‘True.’ Ava hugged her fiercely. And she felt that way about Zac, too. The thought gave her strength. ‘Love you, Mim.’ She stepped away and picked up the framed photograph of Amelia they kept on the kitchen dresser. The one beside Max. ‘I went to the waterhole. It was beautiful as always.’ She put down the photo. ‘But I’m a little tired after the drive, so don’t tease me about Zac.’

‘Okay, sweetie. You do look bushed.’

‘He just needs TLC for a few days. You’re good at that.’

‘Tender loving care. I can do that. Stella can fatten him up with her food.’

‘And no stories of me as a little girl.’ Ava winced. Mim loved those when visitors came. ‘Or embarrassing teenage ones, either.’

‘Of course not,’ Mim said innocently.

Ava sighed. It was probably too much to ask. Hopefully, she’d be out of earshot when they happened. Zac in her family home without amnesia would have been a whole different experience. ‘He’s a fascinating man.’ She winced at the satisfaction that statement caused Mim, her mouth making a delighted ‘O’, and hurried on before Mim could form any more embarrassing questions.

‘But that’s enough. Give me a little space, Mim. It’s been a pretty torrid week.’

‘Of course, darling,’ Mim said, all sweetness and light, which worried Ava more. Mim was making plans, she knew it in her very bones. But she could no more stop a dust storm than stop Mim, so she let it go. Reluctantly.