Within the space of four weeks he’d lost his career and his dog and had most likely been deceived by the woman he thought he might have really liked. Not to mention he’d handed over a sperm donation that, if he was honest with himself, he really hadn’t wanted to give. No wonder he wasn’t surprised to hear that his doctor wanted to see him.

‘Where is this so-called owner of yours anyway? You’d think if she was desperately missing you she’d at least be on time.’

If she didn’t turn up within the next ten minutes, maybe he could still chuck Doggo in the back of the car and take him up to Nords with him.

Of course, that was when there was a knock at the door.

*

Jill

There wasn’t a single bushfire burning right now anywhere between home and the holiday house. And yet Jill had checked and double-checked the bushfire app over and over again this morning.

Her friend Marjory had phoned her the other day to see how she was feeling about the trip. ‘Are you certain you don’t want to change your plans?’ she’d asked. ‘I bet your family wouldn’t mind.’

But Marjory didn’t understand. Jill had to take this trip again. She had to get there safely this time. It was the only way she might start to feel okay again.

And besides, Marjory didn’t know why it meant so much to Jill to spend Christmas every year at Robin’s Nest. No one else did. Not with Frank gone.

Jill took her suitcase out to the car and checked the bushfire app one more time. Still nothing.

Everything was going to be okay.

As long as they just stuck together this time.

And perhaps up at Nords, she might finally get some damn sleep.

*

Andrea

Despite her determination that she wasn’t going to let Violet have a bad Christmas, Andrea was still feeling nervous as she knocked on Heather’s door. She was going to have to be clever with the way she presented her proposal. Find a way to make it really appeal to Heather.

As it turned out though, she needn’t have worried. It was Violet who opened the door. Her face lit up as she saw Andrea. ‘Did you get my note?’

‘Yep, sure did. Where’s Mum, honey?’

Violet’s eyes dropped to the floor. ‘Gone out,’ she said.

‘When did she say she’d be back?’ As determined as Andrea was feeling, she still knew that she needed to talk to Heather first.

Violet chewed on her bottom lip, her eyes still fixed on her own feet. ‘Not until tomorrow.’

‘Wait, what? Are you sure? She said she’ll be out all night? On Christmas Eve?’