Free In Jeopardy by Lynette McClenaghan Page A

course.’
    Natasha smiles and Lawrence says, ‘Great – so we can forget about labels and formalities – we’ve sorted this issue out before mum gets involved.’
    ‘Why would this be an issue, you don’t refer to me as uncle.’
    Paul clears his throat. ‘My family uses formalities. I’m sure between us we can break this habit.’
    ‘Yeah – cause it sucks, dad!’
    Natasha chimes, ‘Can we change the subject?’
    When Paul and Lawrence leave to buy takeaway Indian and Pizza, Natasha shows Christine her room and tells her she can sleep in the spare bed.
    Christine can’t help noting then commenting, ‘You’re remarkably tidy.’
    ‘I’m not, really, mum insisted I clean my room otherwise she would. I didn’t want her going through my stuff.’
    Christine doesn’t know what to expect of her sister’s children. Before meeting them she worried that they might be formal and stuffy, the way Diana could be. She likes them and is impressed by their ease of conversation, and that they have welcomed her, an aunt but a stranger, into their home.
    She leaves her bags unopened and follows Natasha to the kitchen. Diana still hasn’t appeared.
    Julian and Natasha make a salad and stack plates and cutlery onto the island bench. Christine offers to help; Julian insists they don’t need help. Christine feels a sting of awkwardness and hopes that she hasn’t intruded on her absent family. She hopes that one day she can return their hospitality and generosity.
    Lawrence and Paul return and dump the stack of steaming boxes and containers onto the island bench.
    ‘Is mum up yet?’
    Paul walks away from the kitchen. ‘I’ll let her know we’re ready to eat.’
    Muffled voices from another part of the house find their way to the kitchen.
    Paul returns. ‘She’s still tired, she sends her apologies and insists we eat without her.’
    Lawrence rolls his eyes.
    Paul speaks, ‘And we don’t need any comment.’
    Diana’s absence fills the space and conversation sticks to safe subjects. Julian suggests they visit at least one of Perth’s highlights.
    Diana emerges after the meal. She strongly resembles Julian except she has long black hair like Natasha. She still has a youthful appearance and is slender and graceful. She wears a fashionable cut of jeans, white shirt contrasted by a black pendant, and a woollen shawl draped over her shoulders.Dressed modestly she carries the look with style, but also giving the impression she doesn’t care much about appearances.
    After Diana greets their guests, she apologises for her absence. Paul offers to put together a plate.
    Diana shakes her head. ‘Sit down and enjoy the company. I’ll arrange something myself.’
    Paul lists places their guests might be interested to visit. Although it is an unseasonably cold autumn in Perth, he suggests a cruise along the Swan River. Lawrence dismisses this as boring. Diana suggests a trip to the city, to its quaint malls, historic buildings, the garden and the riverbank.
    Lawrence says, ‘Boring, boring...’
    Diana drops her knife and fork with a clink and turns her focus on Lawrence. ‘You haven’t come up with any bright ideas yet.’
    ‘We can show Christine and Julian our school and the university you want me to attend next year. I’d like to take them to the boatshed.’
    Natasha interrupts. ‘No one has asked Christine and Julian where they would like to go.’
    Christine responds, ‘We don’t need to go anywhere. If you want to take us somewhere let’s make it local. I’m kind of tired anyway.’
    She wonders if Julian has filled Diana and her family in with what has happened in their lives.
    Diana asks, ‘What could you possibly be so tired from? Neither of you have children.’
    Julian speaks for both of them, glossing over some of the more distressing events that have filled their lives both in the past and present. Deafening silence descends and fills the space while Diana and her family listen without interruption.