“Not yet. I’ve cut it up though.”

“Thanks.” Natalie lined up the carrots.

“I like your dress.” Laura hovered at her mother’s side.

Bree took in her sister’s contrite expression. No doubt trying to atone for the mess she’d created. The kitchen was spotless again, restored to its usual order. She hoped Laura had helped make it that way.

“Do you?” Natalie glanced down as if she didn’t know what she was wearing then started to chop.

Bree thought her outfit was rather smart for a casual family dinner with only their distant neighbour as an extra. Still it wasn’t often they were all home together and to Bree’s knowledge Jack had never eaten with them before. Her mother always liked to make a good impression. Tonight she wore a loose-fitting long-sleeved dress, navy with a white leaf pattern, over tights and flat ankle boots. She’d put on some extra kilos over the last few years but she always looked smart.

“I can finish the vegies, Laura. Perhaps you could open a wine. I’d love a glass.”

“Sure. Do you want something, Bree?”

“A beer, thanks.”

Natalie glanced around. “Do you think that’s wise if you’re taking painkillers?”

“I’m sure one beer won’t hurt.”

Natalie opened her mouth, closed it again and turned back to her chopping.

Laura poured a glass of wine, took the tops off two beers and handed one to Bree.

“Cheers,” she said and they all raised their glasses and took a sip. Then the silence was punctuated only by the sounds of Natalie’s vegetable prep.

“How was Adelaide?” Bree asked.

There was a pause in the chopping. “Busy.” Natalie’s shoulders tilted as she continued cutting.

“What did you say you went for again?”

This time there was only a slight pause before the chopping resumed. “Accountant.”

Bree frowned. She glanced at Laura who was looking at her phone again, not paying any attention.

“Granny was surprised you went.” Bree tried another tack. “She quizzed me about it while we were waiting at the hospital.”

The knife thumped on the solid wooden chopping board. “Granny doesn’t have to know everything all the time.”

Laura glanced up, met Bree’s stare and stood. “Are you sure I can’t help with the vegetables, Mum?”

“No.” Natalie didn’t look around. “You could set the table though…for six.”

Laura arranged the placemats, set out the cutlery, added a glass to each place and a jug of water to the middle of the table.

The saucepans clattered and banged as Natalie filled them and set them on the stove then turned to her daughters. “I’m going to watch television in the den till the others get back.” She picked up her wine and left.