Pete made a face. ‘Sorry, was that annoying?’

Mimi folded her arms. ‘You don’t need to apologise for your mum, she’s lovely. It’s nice that she cares.’

Tara appeared from the hallway and leaned against the island bench. ‘Twin report,’ she announced. ‘Elliot was stirring so I popped her dummy back in and she settled. James is fast asleep.’

Pete and Mimi exchanged a brief look. They both loved the way Tara had picked up all the little mothering terms like ‘stirring’ and ‘settled’.

‘Thanks, sweetie. I want them to make it through till two tonight, so that’s perfect. You hungry?’

‘Yep. What’s for dinner?’

‘Ask your father,’ said Mimi.

He twisted his mouth, thinking. ‘Takeaway too many times lately?’ he asked.

Mimi raised her palms and deferred to Tara. ‘What do you think?’

She considered the question for a minute. ‘I think pizza is allowed. We haven’t had pizza for a while.’

Mimi nodded. ‘I agree with the wise one. Oh, wise one, advise us which pizza place to choose tonight. George’s Gourmet or Christina Christina?’

‘Christina Christina. Because blonde Christina always gives me lollies when I go with Dad to pick it up.’

‘But what happens if it’s redhead Christina who serves you? Will you be disappointed?’

‘A little, but I’ll live. Can you plait my hair before I go with Dad?’

‘Sure, sweetheart.’ Tara had inherited Mimi’s tight curls and after a full day at school, they’d sprung out into a frizzy tangle around her head.

They all turned as the sound of a bedroom door slamming upstairs was followed by footsteps stomping across the landing.

‘Tell me she hasn’t woken the twins,’ Mimi said.

They collectively held their breath as they waited for the cries, but there was silence. Callie appeared at the bottom of the stairs. ‘What’s for dinner?’ she asked.

‘Oh, hi Mum, hi Dad, hi Tara,’ said Pete. ‘How is everyone tonight? Good? Had a nice day? Yeah, not too bad. How about you, Callie, haven’t seen you since you got home, disappeared into your room and stayed there ever since, you been well?’

‘Shut up. I’ve been busy.’

‘Don’t say shut up, it’s rude,’ said Tara.

‘Then why do Mum and Dad say it to each other all the time?’

‘We do it in a jokesy way,’ Mimi replied. ‘Don’t we?’ she added, feeling slightly guilty.

‘Yeah, course,’ said Pete.

Mimi took a step towards Callie. She’d been missing her since she started retreating into her room whenever she was home. They used to have lovely long chats over chai lattes in the afternoons. Callie used to hug her with abandon. She used to confide in her. But it felt like a switch had been flipped several months ago.