Kate reached for the toast. It was cold now but she buttered it anyway, smeared on some Vegemite and took a bite. Olive reached out and put a soft hand to her cheek. “I’m glad to see you eating, dear. You only picked at last night’s meal.”

The toast congealed in Kate’s throat.

Laura put a fresh cup of tea in front of Olive. “Here you go, Granny.”

Kate struggled to her feet. “Back in a moment.” She wove past her dad and Bree and shut herself in the bathroom where she took deep calming breaths, willing the toast to stay down. Granny had looked at her so knowingly Kate was sure she’d guessed.

There was a tap on the door. “Come in.” Kate splashed water on her face and when she wiped herself dry it was her dad standing there, not one of her sisters as she’d expected.

“Are you all right, love?”

She nodded. Tears brimmed again. He reached out and wrapped her in his arms.

“I know I’m being a sook,” she mumbled into his shoulder. “But I wish Mum was here.”

“Why don’t we ring her?”

“No.” Kate took a deep breath, stepped back and wiped her face again. “I’m all right. I just don’t want Granny to know before Mum.”

Milt held her at arm’s length. “You know what, I’ve been thinking I might go and meet her while you girls are here. Spend a few days in the sun and we can come home together.”

“Really? What about seeding?”

“I won’t go until it’s underway and Bree can manage with a bit of help, and I want to get this money stuff sorted with the lawyer but then…” His eyes lit up as if he’d just had a wonderful idea. “I’m going to surprise your mother.”

“She might have left before you get there.”

His smile wavered. “I don’t think so.”

“So Mum might be home in a week?”

“Or so.”

Kate felt that was such a long time.

There was another tap on the door. It was Laura who put her head around this time. “Granny’s going.”

Milt pulled the door open. Olive, Bree and Laura were in the passage, all studying them with a questioning look.

“I’ll talk to you soon, Mum. We’ll sort out this business with Connie.”

“Diplomatically,” Olive said.

“I’ll do my best.”

Olive glanced around the bathroom. “You know if you’re all going to spend so much time in here it could do with some tidying up. A few extra hooks and some shelves wouldn’t go astray, Milton.”

She flicked her gaze to Kate and her eye twitched. “Bye, dear.”

Milt followed his mother out and Kate lowered herself to the edge of the bath. Had Granny just winked at her?