The doctor had said nature could still take its course or they could be candidates for IVF, but Kate knew, after all the tests they’d already been through, that IVF wasn’t for her, just like she felt sure motherhood wasn’t right for her. She and Sean had talked of nothing else for weeks. He wasn’t keen on IVF either. They’d agreed they could live with being childless although Kate thought he secretly hoped the doctor was right in saying they could still conceive. He’d suggested they not use contraception and she’d agreed and nothing had happened. Kate hadn’t given babies a thought for years but Sarah’s excitement had thrown her. Not only was Kate’s womb tilted but her emotions were too. What if she one day regretted not having tried harder? What if Sean did?

She dragged herself to the fridge. The simple task of making a salad seemed all too hard. Between her friend’s exuberant revelling in motherhood and the long hours she’d been working, Kate felt tired to her core. Sean’s phone rang in the distance, propelling her from her lethargy. Surely she could make a simple salad.

They were both quiet over dinner. Kate couldn’t bring herself to tell her husband Sarah and Nick’s happy news. The television played to itself in the lounge behind them.

“What’s on the agenda for you tomorrow?” She tried to rustle up some enthusiasm as she reached for his empty plate.

Sean stopped her and collected the plates himself. “Cleaning trucks and paperwork.”

She groaned.

“After that I’ve got a few days off.” He stood beside her, the plates in his hands. “How about a break to the beach?”

Her spirits lifted at the thought. His parents owned a shack about two hours’ drive away. It was isolated and fronted a white sandy beach washed by aquamarine water that could outdo any Queensland holiday brochure, except for the lack of year-round warmth. “Just us? That would be lovely.”

Sean took the plates to the sink. “It won’t be just us.”

Kate studied his back, waiting for him to turn around. He was the youngest of Mary and Tom Brock’s three sons. His parents and his two married brothers all lived in town. When his dad had sold the farm all those years ago he’d also bought the small beach shack. Perhaps one of the other families were going. She got on well with her in-laws. The thought of a few days relaxing at the beach lifted her spirits. Sean clattered the plates in the sink and turned on the water. She got up and took a tea towel from its hook. “Who else is going?”