Free The Golden Land by Di Morrissey Page A

on to say g’night. Miss you. Love you.’
    â€˜Love you, too.’ Natalie went back inside and handed the phone to Charlotte. ‘Daddy wants to say goodnight.’
    â€˜Natalie, come and see what you think,’ called Sarah as Steve settled in front of the TV.
    Natalie went into the front room, which Steve rarely used but was now piled with furniture. Adam, in his pyjamas, was climbing over the chairs and a sofa.
    â€˜Be careful, mister,’ warned Natalie. ‘He loves climbing, Mum. Is all this furniture going to the new house?’
    â€˜Most of it. I’ve been mentally furnishing rooms in the new place but those things over there I can’t see working. Do you want any of it? Otherwise it’s the charity shop or the tip.’
    â€˜Some of it does look old, but useful. I’m trying to get a fresh clean look in our place. Mark would hate anything that doesn’t fit in. He’s not a retro kind of guy.’
    Adam let out a yell as a pile of cushions collapsed and he tumbled down to the floor.
    â€˜I said be careful! You’re all right,’ Natalie assured him as she picked up the little boy and hugged him. ‘What’s this under here?’
    â€˜Some old chair of Steve’s. Dreadfully old-fashioned, I don’t want it.’
    Natalie sat in the chair cuddling Adam. ‘Very comfy. Plumpy cushions. It’s a wingback, too. Unusual.’
    â€˜Hideous fabric. It’s got a footrest, pouf thing that goes with it,’ said Sarah.
    â€˜Mum, I’ll take this if you’re sure Steve doesn’t want it.’
    â€˜Good grief! I wouldn’t allow it in the house. What are you going to do with it?’
    â€˜I just had an idea for the playroom. It’s comfortable, you can put your feet up, and because it’s in sections I’m going to upholster it in fabric that’s different, but matches in tone, if you know what I mean. A kind of pretty patchwork chair. Stripes and flowers kind of thing,’ said Natalie.
    â€˜Can you fit it in the back of your station wagon? The sooner it’s out of here the happier I’ll be,’ said Sarah. ‘At least Steve will be pleased it’s gone to a loving home and not the tip.’
    â€˜He mightn’t like it being mint green and lemon stripes with pink and green flowers. Or whatever.’ Natalie said smiling.
    A month later Natalie was at home reading a story to the two children when her mother rang.
    â€˜Hi, Mum, when’s the big move happening?’
    â€˜Truck’s coming next week. I’m going up to the new house this weekend to work out where things are going. Do you want to come down to Lismore and help? We could have lunch.’
    â€˜Can’t, Mum. Mark is away and Charlotte has a ballet class. It’s a great idea to walk through the empty house to decide where to put things. Then you just tell the removalists to put it there and Steve won’t have to drag furniture around. Are you excited?’
    â€˜Yes, I think so. I just want to get settled as soon as possible. At least I’ll have extra hours in the day without that damn travelling to and from the farm.’
    â€˜How’s the shop going?’
    â€˜Good. I’ve got some gorgeous new tops in. You’d love them.’
    â€˜Sorry, Mum, we’re on a budget. And I don’t need anything. If I was still working, it’d be a different story.’
    â€˜Yes, you must have been the best-dressed primary teacher in Queensland.’
    â€˜Thanks to all your sales and generosity,’ said Natalie. ‘I wish you’d stock children’s clothes.’
    â€˜Too hard. Now, listen, I’ve been going through the letters and I’ve found an intriguing one from my greatuncle Andrew. Your great-great-uncle.’
    â€˜I’ve never heard of him.’
    â€˜He was my grandmother Florence’s brother.’
    â€˜You’ll have to tell me about this