Laura buzzed around the kitchen making extra noise to compensate for the lack of it coming from her two grim-faced sisters sitting at the table clutching their cups, tea for Kate, coffee for Bree. She switched the radio to Triple J. Her father was already up and headed out around the same time as Sean and Owen by the sound of it. Her two sad-sack sisters had made breakfast for the men but not for themselves. She put a plate of toast on the table between them with a thud fuelled by a small burst of jealousy that there was no man in her life for her to even miss slightly, let alone moon over like these two were.

“Cheer up, you two. It’s not as if you’re never seeing them again.”

Bree was the first to reach for the toast. “I’m not upset because Owen’s left. It’s Dad. I told him last night I’m leaving.”

“Leaving!” Laura plonked into the seat beside her. “I thought you were going for a few months.”

“I am.” Bree took a despondent slurp of her coffee.

“Leaving sounds permanent.”

“Well it’s not…unless Dad wants it that way,” she muttered. “Anyway I’m not going for a while yet. Not till tailing’s done at least.”

They were silent a moment then Kate spoke. “I can understand how he feels.” It was that knowing big-sister voice of hers.

Laura glanced at Kate, catching a glimpse of Bree’s scowl as she did.

“Of course you would,” Bree snapped. “It’s all right for you. You’re not here often and you don’t work for Dad.”

“But I do work in a family business. Lucky for me I can job share with my in-laws and I’ve earned some time off. You’re Dad’s only worker.”

“There’s Graeme.”

“And me,” Laura chipped in. She hated tension between her sisters.

They both turned to look at her, Bree’s face full of disdain and Kate’s slightly surprised.

“I can help.” Laura snatched a piece of toast and began to spread it with chunks of butter. The solid lumps tore at the cooling toast, pulling it apart as she wielded the knife. “I’m not going anywhere for a while.”

“How long do you plan to stay?” Kate’s tone was gentle.

“I don’t have a plan.”

“What about your job?” Bree asked.

Laura’s confidence waned under Bree’s piercing gaze. “I quit.”

“So this is not just a holiday?”

“No.”

Bree pushed back her chair and stood. “Well, there we are.” There was a smug smile on her face. “You can take my place. Easy done.” She took her cup, strode to the coffee machine and set it going again.

“No need to be so huffy,” Kate said. “Talk to Dad about it more.”

“I’ve tried.”

Laura met Kate’s look across the table. Her sister gave her an encouraging smile.