Natalie let out a sigh of relief that was a mix of concern for Kate and a niggle of excitement at the thought of being a nanna.

It was an emotional reunion in Kate’s hospital room. Bree was there and Natalie couldn’t help the tears that rolled down her cheeks as she hugged both her girls. Milt stayed a moment to get the latest on Kate and then left them in search of coffees.

The girls were full of questions about her holiday but Natalie wanted details from Kate.

“They’ve told me it’s a simple procedure. They’re going to put a stitch in,” she said. “I’ll still be able to have a normal delivery…”

Natalie gripped her daughter’s hand, seeing clearly the uncertainty in her eyes.

“Are you staying in Adelaide?” Kate asked. “They’re doing it tomorrow morning.”

“Of course I’m staying.”

“It’s good to have you home, Mum.” Bree moved up beside her and put an arm around her.

Natalie saw tears brimming in her eyes. A rare occurrence for Bree. Tears filled her own eyes and then Kate started sobbing. Bree and Nat leaned over the bed and hugged her.

The door opened behind them.

“Hell’s teeth, what’s happened now?” Milt said.

The credits of the last movie were rolling up the TV screen when Laura jolted awake. She’d spent most of the afternoon watching movies, though the last one had been through the backs of her eyelids, she had to admit, and now a noise had woken her. She looked around for the cat. He was no longer in front of the fire but sitting at the closed den door staring at the base of it.

“Did you knock something, Bubbles?”

He gave her a scathing look and turned back to the door.

She lowered the footrest, stood and scanned the room. Nothing appeared out of place but the fire had burned low. Perhaps a log had shifted and that had been the noise. She moved towards the door then paused and tilted her head to one side. There was a sound in the distance. She snatched up the remote, pushed mute and listened. The dogs were barking. She’d put them back in their kennels before she started the last movie knowing it would be dark by the time the movie finished. There was agitation in their barks, like when there was someone or something about.

Laura picked up her phone. There were two missed calls from Paul an hour apart. The last had been only a few minutes ago. She frowned at the screen wondering why she hadn’t heard them then realised the phone was on silent. She flicked it back to full volume then let out a surprised yelp as it immediately started ringing, then followed with a loud scream as someone pounded on the window behind her.