“Thank you, Laura dear,” Olive said as they reached the shelter of the verandah.

“I didn’t know you were coming out today.”

“I’ve come to stay. There’s a case in the car. I gather you’re on your own.” Olive fixed her with a sharp look. “The rumour mill is running rife in town. I thought I’d better come out and find out for myself what’s going on with my own family before one more person tries to tell me.”

Laura felt bad she hadn’t rung Olive but Kate had been determined to keep her baby a secret, at least until she’d had the chance to talk to Sean.

Another vehicle cruised across the yard and came to a stop. This time it was Bree.

“Come inside out of the cold.” Laura waved to her sister over Olive’s shoulder. “I’ll put the kettle on.”

Bree didn’t stay for a cuppa, she’d bought one on the way. She stopped long enough to change her clothes and accept the sandwich Laura made her before she dashed out to do sheep work.

Faced with her grandmother’s steely look across the table alone, Laura wished her sister was still there.

“Kate’s okay,” she squeaked and cleared her throat.

“And the baby?”

“You know about the baby?”

“I put two and two together and got three quite some time ago.”

“Kate didn’t want to say anything until she’d told Sean.”

“You seem to know about it, and half the town, judging by the comments I heard in the supermarket this morning.”

“Oh.”

Olive sat back with her cup of tea. “You’d better fill me in.”

Natalie slipped quietly onto the seat beside Kate. Her daughter’s eyes opened instantly.

“Oh, Mum, it was you earlier. I thought I’d dreamed you up. And Dad.”

“He’s gone home but he sends his love. How are you feeling?”

“Tired. I’m always tired.”

“That should pass soon.”

Kate’s lip wobbled again. “I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

“About what, exactly?”

“The baby?”

“Termination, you mean?”

“Oh no.” Kate shook her head sharply. “Sean would never forgive me.”

Natalie blew out a soft breath. “You’ve told him?”

“Not yet but I know he’ll be happy.”

“But you don’t feel the same?”

She shook her head. “I’m a total weirdo, I know.”

“You’re not weird.” Natalie reached for her daughter’s hand. “You’re entitled to your own feelings. Not everyone wants to be a parent.”

“Dad said you went through a rough patch after Bree was born?”

“Did he?”

“He was such a rock, Mum. I was too scared to talk to Sean. You weren’t there.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” She gave a wobbly smile. “I hadn’t expected Dad to be the one to help me through it but he was great.”