“No, but there’s an extra group. I’m sure I told you about them. Several young mothers coming overnight without the children. They’ll be here before the holidays. It’s only one night but I haven’t put us down for home hosting this time.” Olive was still eyeing her closely. “A picnic day at the creek will be our contribution.”

Natalie grabbed her car keys from the counter. “Not this time, Olive. I’m sorry. I’ll see you…” Her voice dwindled away as she rushed to her car without looking back. She wasn’t sure when she’d see her mother-in-law next and what state she’d be in when she did and she certainly wasn’t up to hosting a barbecue out on one of their creeks.

On the long drive home Natalie’s thoughts leaped from one scenario to another. The anomaly could turn out to be nothing, or an early detection requiring minimal intervention, or one of those aggressive cancers that she’d heard about that would need radical treatment. God, she could lose her breast, or both breasts. How would she deal with that? How would Milt? By the time she pulled the car into the garage her hands were trembling again.

She struggled out of the car with her basket and followed the cracked cement path to the verandah, where she paused. The back light was on, casting a pool of dull light which in turn gave the stone walls a grey appearance. It matched her mood.

Their cat mewed, rose from its position on an old chair and jumped to the ground.

Only Milt’s boots sat on the rack against the back wall. Beyond the screen, the internal door was open and Natalie could hear sounds from the kitchen. The cat nudged her legs and mewed again.

“Hasn’t anyone fed you?”

Milt turned to her from the drawer he’d been rummaging in when she entered the kitchen. She stopped, remembering she’d shoved The Model Wife in the other drawer. She’d be embarrassed if Milt saw it now. With its photos and clippings it had become almost like a diary, highlighting the highs and lows of her life, and so personal. Sometimes she wished she’d thrown it away the moment Olive had given it to her.

“What are you looking for?” she asked.

“A new notebook.”

“Second drawer.”

She set her basket down while he took out one of the small spiral-bound pads that fitted his pocket. Her knees trembled at the thought of explaining.

“Are you all right?” He moved towards her.

The anticipation of his big strong arms wrapping her in a hug brought tears to her eyes. She blinked them back as he came to a stop in front of her.

“Did you pick up the stuff from Landmark?”

“Oh, no, I forgot all about it.”

“Damn it, Nat, I needed the wire first thing tomorrow.”