From across the passage they heard the sound of a game show. Laura looked at Bree over the top of her beer, her face twisted into a grimace.

Their mother never watched television during the day unless she was sick. Now Bree was alert. “What’s going on?” she hissed.

Laura shrugged. “I don’t know. I told you Mum’s been quiet all afternoon.”

“Did you help her clean up?”

“Of course but she had most of it done by the time we got back. Then I had to run lunch out to the paddock. She hasn’t said a word about my hair.”

Bree took a sip of her beer and stared at her sister’s colourful mop. “That’ll be Dad’s job.”

“Hell’s teeth, Laura!”

Natalie lurched forward in the recliner at the sound of her husband’s bellow. She must have dozed off for a few minutes. She’d been watching a quiz show and now the newsreader was announcing an exclusive headline.

She struggled to her feet and adjusted her apron. The mustering crew were home. Time to finish the dinner preparation.

“What in the blue blazes have you done this time?”

Milt had obviously noticed Laura’s hair. Natalie couldn’t imagine how he’d missed it before. Even though Laura had kept it stuffed under her cap until this afternoon, pieces of coloured hair were visible around the edges.

“More like psychedelic blazes, I think.” Kate was valiantly trying to lighten her father’s mood.

“I hope that washes out.” Milt again.

“Eventually.” Laura’s voice was hopeful.

Natalie sighed, picked up her empty wine glass and almost ran into her husband leaving the kitchen. He brushed his dust-coated lips across her cheek. “Have you seen Laura’s hair?”

She nodded.

“What on earth will people think?”

Natalie shrugged her shoulders. “Perhaps you should lock her in the shed until it grows out.”

He frowned, looked at her closely. “Are you all right?”

“Of course I am.” She managed a smile. “It’s only hair colour, Milt. It’ll wash out.”

He huffed and the anger left him. “I’ll have a shower. Jack will be here soon. Do you think you should tell the girls about Veronica and tell them not to mention it?”

Natalie opened her mouth but he was already heading for the bathroom. She didn’t want to talk to the girls about Veronica at all. It had been his idea to invite Jack, not hers. The last thing she felt like doing was making conversation with a stranger at their table. That’s if he was a stranger. She wondered if Bree had also spent time with Jack. She didn’t expect Laura or Kate would have as they were rarely home these days.