Free In Jeopardy by Lynette McClenaghan Page B

Conversation that follows becomes more relaxed and the siblings talk about shared experiences from their past and fill each other in on general events thathave occupied their lives since they last met. They talk into the small hours of the morning and sleep in late.
    Diana shows Christine her workshop and showroom. These are the two front rooms of their sprawling Californian bungalow. Half-finished garments in her workroom look exquisite, reflecting the workmanship of an artist and her attention to detail.
    Diana transformed herself from an accountant into a dressmaker. She tells Christine that her business evolved by accident rather than intention. When Natasha was born she planned to return to the accounting practice she had worked at since leaving Melbourne. This plan was disrupted when Natasha was struck with pneumonia at four months of age. As she was recovering from this illness she developed complications that resulted in a lengthy stay in hospital. Months after she was discharged from hospital she started to cough frantically, often seeming out of breath. This was the onset of asthma and as this is unusual for children less than twelve months old Diana wasn’t prepared to leave her at a childcare centre.
    One of the reasons she was returning to work was to fund renovations planned before the children were born. The house was charming and neglected in equal measure. Living on Paul’s income alone meant these plans were put on hold. Before Natasha turned one Diana made arrangements to return to work, but Paul was made a partner at the accounting practice he worked at. Diana remained at home with the children and although their finances improved she despaired at how bored she became.
    Boredom made Diana querulous and when Paul tired of her complaints he suggested she enrol in a short course to occupy herself. And given that she also complained about the state of disrepair the house was in he added that she could check the Adult Education Centre and enrol in a gardening or house maintenance course.
    She felt insulted by Paul’s advice. At the time she stormed out of the kitchen, slept in the spare bed in Natasha’s room and didn’t speak to him the next morning. However, she took Paul’s advice and by the time he returned home from work her gloomy mood had lifted. The first course she enrolled in was basic sewing, followed by making soft toys then dressmaking. She discovered she had a passion for sewing. She made the children’s clothes and this interest evolved to a vocation. Working as an accountant had passed its use-by date.
    Christine wonders whether fate has brought the siblings together again. Did Julian’s accident and her marriage breakdown miraculously throw them into the same space? Despite Diana’s aloofness she accommodates them. Her face lights up when they add vignettes about their lives and she seems touched by their visit. Since Julian’s accident his attitude has shifted from one where he wanted to pack in more activity than one can fit into a lifetime. Now he appreciates life’s surprises and savours the moment. Christine doesn’t know what she wants; only that life keeps throwing questions at her that she cannot seem to find answers to.
    The evening before Christine returns home the atmosphere in the dining room is flat. Earlier that day Julian had treated Christine, and Diana’s family, to a high tea at The Buckthorn, a five star hotel facing the Swan River. No one is particularly hungry that evening and they pick at a light meal.
    Diana’s family don’t talk much about Lawrence and Natasha’s lives apart from where they go to school and their various interests. Natasha has been practicing ballet since she was five and attends several classes a week. Lawrence is in his final year at school, plays rugby for the First Fifteen and is a member of Nedlands local sailing club. Paul rarely initiates conversation. Although he prefers to listen to others talk he often finds himself becoming the