“At least I can help here while Bree’s out of action,” Laura offered.

Natalie glanced back, a small frown furrowing her brow.

They both knew the truth about that. Laura was no proper replacement for Bree.

“I’ll see you at home.” Natalie strode away to the four-wheel drive and that was it. No surprise, no gentle questions, no chat about the whys or wherefores of her decision.

The door thudded shut, the motor started and her mother drove away. The dogs rose, half-heartedly this time, and with no response from Laura they settled under the ute again.

Laura had a burning feeling in her chest and the day felt dull even though there were few clouds in the sky. Her mum had said little but Laura had been rebuked as crushingly as if there’d been words. It was the way Granny had sometimes made her feel when she was a child but never her mum. Natalie’s way was to calmly outline options and, whichever path they took, Laura and her siblings always knew with sure certainty that there would be consequences for their actions but that the choice was theirs.

Laura stared at the dust trail left in the air by her mum’s vehicle. She’d come home to lick her wounds, be fussed over by her mother and to think about the future but nothing had felt right since she’d arrived. It was as if she’d turned up at an alternative family and her place in it didn’t exist.

Kate had been pleased to find the water trough clean and flowing freely, nothing to clear out or fix, so she was back at the homestead in quick time. She put the motorbike away in the shed and headed for the house. Inside there was silence. She washed up in the bathroom and walked on socked feet to the kitchen. Her mother was standing at the bench, her back to the door, looking out the window.

“I’m back. Dad will probably be a while.” He had a lot further to go than Kate and might not be as lucky with the state of the troughs as she’d been. “Where is everyone?”

Natalie didn’t move at first as if she hadn’t heard, then, slowly, she turned. “Your sisters are in their rooms. Bree’s resting and I hope Laura’s cleaning up. Did you know she was home to stay?”

Kate didn’t recognise the stiff woman who stared at her with a face full of worry. “She told me the night I arrived.” She crossed the gleaming kitchen. The delicious smell of curry wafted from the slow cooker. She checked the water level in the kettle and flicked it on. “I’d love a cuppa. Do you want one?”

“Thanks.” Natalie sat at the table.