“Nat’s come to stay with you while Mum’s in hospital,” Bronwyn said.

“I don’t need looking after.”

“I thought I might be able to do a few jobs for you.” Natalie tried to put breezy into her voice. “Cooking, shopping, washing. Bron’s off on camp with the twins tomorrow, remember.”

“Of course I remember. I’ve had a cold but I haven’t lost my marbles.”

“Not many, anyway.” Bronwyn grinned and then slowly, as if he’d just got the joke, so did their dad. “You’ll enjoy Nat’s cooking better than mine while Mum’s out of action.” She winked at Natalie.

“We should go and see your mother.” Ray leaned on the back of a chair and took a few deep breaths. “I haven’t been in today. Waited for you, Natalie. She’ll think I’m lost.”

“I called in,” Bronwyn said. “She was sleeping. Give Nat and I a chance to finish our cuppas then we’ll get going. I have to go home and pack.”

At the hospital Natalie’s mother was propped up in bed looking as fresh as a daisy. Apart from a bruise above one eye, a few down her arm and a bandage on her elbow she didn’t look any the worse for wear. She was surprised to see Natalie.

“Bronwyn asked her to come.” Ray bent to kiss his wife’s cheek. “To look after me.”

“She’s going away on camp,” Althea said. “She’s such a good girl worrying about us but we would have managed. Aren’t you teaching?”

“I took leave,” Natalie said. “I wanted to come anyway as soon as I heard you’d both been unwell.”

“I tripped, that’s all,” Althea said. “Hurt my pride more than anything else, and your father is on the mend.”

“I told them I could manage.” Ray picked up his wife’s hand, gave it a pat.

Althea smiled at her husband. “Still, it was good of Natalie to come. Nice for you to have company.”

“I certainly liked the smell of dinner cooking.” Ray patted his stomach and indicated the only chair in the room.

“You have it,” Natalie said.

“I wondered how long you’d last on Bronwyn’s cooking.” Althea lowered her voice. “She has many talents, your sister, but cooking’s not one of them. Don’t you dare tell her I said so. Now do sit down. It’s a long drive. You look worn out. Are you well?” She pointed to a space at the end of the bed. “Tell me all about the girls. What are they up to? No babies for Kate yet?”

Natalie perched on the flat space beyond her mother’s feet and felt her shoulders relax just a little as she filled her parents in on life at home. It was a while since they’d had a proper catch-up, just the three of them.