Laura straightened up, warming further to her idea. “We could go into town next week, see what they’ve got.” It was out before she’d thought about it.

“Are you staying longer than the weekend?” he asked.

“Maybe.”

“Is it Granny Pork Roast night?” Kate changed the subject.

“I assume so. She usually comes out Saturday night, unless we’re not home.” Milt looked to his wife for confirmation.

“She hasn’t said she’s not.”

“Yay!” Laura took her sister’s hint and enthused over the prospect of another of Natalie’s roasts. “I haven’t had roast pork since the last time I was home.” For as long as Laura could remember they’d had a pork roast on a Sunday night. It had been Pa’s favourite meal and by default everyone else’s. After he died and Granny moved into town, they’d changed it to Saturday night. Granny would stay over and once a month there was a Sunday morning service at the little local church and they’d all go together.

“We’re not having roast pork.” Natalie had joined their group again. “We had a roast last night. I’ve put a curry on in the slow cooker.”

There was a heartbeat’s pause.

“Whatever we eat will be fine,” Milt said. “Granny likes to see you all. Now we’d better get back to work. It’ll be dark before we know it. Kate, you go out to the ram paddock and check the water there. I’ll do the back paddock and the scrub block. You might as well go home, Laura. After that we’re done for today.”

At the sound of the bikes the two dogs rose from their rest in the shade of the ute, but no call came from the boss and they sank down to their bellies, heads on paws. Laura turned to her mother but her relief at being exempted from further paddock work was short-lived.

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” Natalie was rarely so blunt.

“I’ve come home for a while.”

“How long is ‘a while’?”

Laura shrugged. This wasn’t how she’d thought the conversation with her mother would go. Instead of the easy pouring out of her story she felt reluctant, uneasy under her mother’s scrutiny.

“I’ve seen your bedroom, Laura. All your worldly possessions seem to be occupying every nook and cranny.”

“I’m not sure how long exactly.” She looked down at the dark-brown soil beneath her boots, still parched from a long, hot summer and not enough autumn rain. “I’ve quit my job.”

Silence lingered between them. A lone crow cawed, the long stretched-out sound underlining the quiet in a sad wail.

Finally Natalie spoke. “I see.” Only two words but they carried a load of censure.

Laura looked up but her mother was reaching down to pick up the thermos, the last of their lunch items.