“Why don’t you girls take your dessert into the den and get started? I need to talk to your dad. I won’t be long.”

“Are you dismissing us, Granny?” Kate asked affectionately.

“Of course not, but you won’t be interested. Get the movie started and I’ll be there before the introductions have finished.”

“If I have to do this I’m getting into my pyjamas.” Bree limped to the door.

“Great idea.” Laura bounded to her feet, her halo of rainbow-coloured hair bouncing with her. “Nothing like a movie night in our PJs. Do we have chips and chocolate?”

“In the storeroom.” Natalie waved a hand towards the other door off the kitchen, which led to the room where all excess supplies were kept. It was nearly as big as the bathroom with thick walls and no windows, a miniature supermarket Natalie always kept stocked. It was too far to go to town if you ran out of something.

“What about you, Mum?” Kate asked. “Will you watch it with us?”

“Your mother should stay too.” Olive smiled but there was a steely look in her eye.

“I’ll come in later.” The curry did somersaults around Natalie’s stomach. What was this about? Surely not Milt and Veronica. Natalie studied her mother-in-law’s face but she gave nothing away.

Laura came out of the storeroom triumphantly waving a block of chocolate and a packet of chips. “Caramello chocolate and salt-and-vinegar chips.”

“Weren’t there any barbecue?” Bree asked as they left.

“Should I stay and help with the dishes?” Kate was the last to reach the door. Her eyes were dark in her pale face.

“No need,” Natalie said. “There’s not much left to do.”

“I’ll help your mother then I’ll be in.”

And that was it. Just as if they were still children, Olive had herded the girls from the kitchen.

Milt finished his cheesecake and pushed his empty bowl to one side. Natalie poked a spoon into hers but didn’t eat, no longer hungry for her favourite dessert.

“What’s this about, Mum?” Milt asked.

Olive took the last mouthful of her cheesecake and set her spoon neatly in the middle of the bowl. “You know I’m not a fan of curry but I enjoyed that and dessert was delicious, thank you, Natalie.”

No matter what went on between them over the years Natalie could not fault her mother-in-law’s sense of correct protocol. She had impeccable manners.

“It was, thanks, Nat.” Milt gave her a tender look.

Natalie’s heart crumpled. He wasn’t one for big displays of emotion, especially in company, but it was the little gestures that she appreciated.

“What did you want to talk about, Olive?” she asked, her voice gruffer than she’d intended.

“Constance called in today.”

“Again?” This time Natalie’s tone was a mix of brusque and surprise.