ii

“Ring, ring, riiing” went the doorbell, soon after they arrived home. Kate was just putting some rice on. It was P.C. Smith, and he was still in uniform. “Hi Kate, how are you?” he asked as he stepped inside. “Fine thanks, I was just putting on some dinner, care to join us?” she asked in return. “I’d love to but I can’t tonight,” he replied a little disappointed, “My parents are expecting me, its family roast night.” “I see,” Kate smiled, she had a notion that he’d prefer dinner with her rather than his family, “Well, we’ve had a good day. We went to the movies with friends,” she said and returned to the kitchen. Ben followed her, “nothing unusual?” he inquired. “No, not that I noticed,” she replied. She began chopping vegetables for fried rice. “I feel much better after a normal day,” she said, “Did I tell you that we’re going away next weekend?” “No, where are you going?” Ben asked and simultaneously nicked a piece of carrot. Kate lightly smacked his hand, “Gippsland, my brother’s girlfriend’s family farm.” Ben laughed and munched on his piece of carrot, “sound nice, it will be good for you guys to get out of Melbourne for a few days.” He said. “Yeah, I’m really looking forward to it,” Kate smiled, she was getting to like P.C. Ben Smith, “Are you working the weekend?” she asked. “No, I managed to get this one off, I’ve even got Monday. I worked the last three long weekends, so it’s my turn,” he replied. “If you’re not doing anything, why don’t you join us?” she suggested. He held her gaze somewhat playfully, “It’s tempting,” he said. “I’ll give Sarah a call and check,” Kate said, “I’ll let you know tomorrow. Will you be dropping by again?” “Affirmative, I’m on early shift tomorrow, I start at six,” he nicked another piece of carrot. “Watch yourself Constable Smith,” Kate teased, “I might have to apprehend you for stolen carrots!” Ben laughed as he munched, “Well, I’ll leave you to it, see you tomorrow.” Kate smiled as he retreated, “Ok, enjoy your family dinner.” He found his own way to the door, “See you Kate, have a nice evening!” She heard him farewelling Jo in the lounge, “Bye!” she called as the door clicked shut.

Kate hung up the phone; Sarah had said it was fine for Ben to join them for the weekend, “Plenty of room at the inn!” she had joked. Kate was really looking forward to the weekend. She hadn’t spent time in the country for ages. She was sure that Jo would enjoy it too. Sarah’s sister had three kids all around his age, so he would have other children to play with. Kate decided she’d turn in for the night, she hadn’t realised how tired she was. It had been a full day with all the jobs she’d done in the morning and the afternoon at the cinema. Still, she was content, all the jobs were done, so she’d be able to relax and enjoy time with Jo tomorrow. Her body ached; she ran a hot bath and added some lavender bath salts. She was determined to have a good night’s sleep. There was also lavender oil in the oil burner in her bedroom. She looked in on Jo before heading back into the bathroom; he was sleeping peacefully. He hadn’t experienced a bad dream for six nights running now. She sank into the hot, fragrant water, “Aahhh, that felt better. She dried her hands and reached for her book, it was just getting to its climax.

Kate was sipping her obligatory tea and reading the paper when Jo appeared at her side. He still had sleep in his eyes and his hair was matted a little where he’d slept on it. Kate smiled and lifted him onto her lap, “What shall we do today, my little man?” The sun was shining brightly outside and it promised to be a beautiful day. The rain had left the grass and trees bright green. Jo pointed at the window, “You want to go to the park?” she guessed aloud. “Jo nodded and grinned, “I will have to call in the reinforcements then. P.C. Smith said we had to take our friends, more fun that way.” She put Jo back on the floor and got up to get breakfast. Jo followed her into the kitchen and used a chair to get to the glasses. He poured a juice for himself and Kate, while Kate stirred porridge on the stove. When it was done she heaped it into bowls and sprinkled generous amounts of brown sugar over before adding milk. She followed Jo to the table. She finished first and jumped into the shower, she wanted to get to church this morning.

She was brushing Jo’s hair when the phone rang; it was her mother. “Hi honey, you coming along to church this morning?” she asked, when Kate picked up the phone. “We were just about to head out the door,” Kate replied. “Well, why don’t you come for lunch after? Your brothers will be here,” her mother asked. “Sounds nice, want us to bring anything?” Kate asked. “No, just your good selves,” her mother said, “I’d better let you go, see you in church.” “Ok, see you Mum.” Kate replaced the receiver and gathered their things together. “Doesn’t pay to be late for church,” she chimed as they went out the door. She took the freeway to Camberwell and then Burke Road to Malvern. Normally she avoided the junction, but it wasn’t too bad at this time on a Sunday morning. They were singing the first hymn when they arrived, she spotted her parents, her mum had saved them seat. “Hymn 366,” her mother said as they joined them in the pew, “you haven’t missed anything.” Kate didn’t get to church much these days; she often caught up with Bess or Steve for breakfast in Rathdowne Street. Sometimes she felt the weekend was too precious to spend two hours with the old dears at church. She should find a more contemporary service wit younger people, she thought to herself as the organ introduced the psalm….

Nothing beat her mother’s roast, except perhaps the Pavlova that followed it. Everyone was there: her older brother, Colin and his fiancée, Deborah, Josh and Sarah, and, of course, her parents. Kate didn’t care much for Deborah, never Debbie; she was quiet and a bit old fashioned. Kate felt like Deborah didn’t approve of her and she was always so condescending when the conversation turned to sport. She wasn’t particularly close to Colin either these days. He was bookish rather than athletic and although they had been close growing up, they had grown apart as they got older and their interests diverged. Her father was waxing lyrical about the golf course. Kate suspected that he’d live there if he could!

“Why don’t we have a family tennis tournament after lunch?” her mother suggested. Josh and Kate were keen and rapidly agreed. Colin was less so but also agreed to join them, he couldn’t pass up an opportunity of beating his younger brother and tennis was the one sport that he tolerated. “Oh, not for me,” exclaimed Deborah, somewhat condescendingly to Kate’s sensitive ears, “I’m hopeless with any kind of racquet.” “I’ll play,” agreed Sarah, “I’m a bit out of practice, but I’ll give it a go.” “Don’t listen to her,” Josh jokingly warned, “She was a champ in her home town!” “I don’t think being a champion in Devon quite cuts it in the big city!” Sarah laughed depreciatingly. Kate really liked Sarah; she was a good sport. “Jack?” inquired Mary, “will you be joining us?” “I can’t turn a competition down,” he replied, “when do we start?” “As soon as the dishes are done,” answered their mother. “Awh Mum, do we have to?” whined Josh. “Stacking the dishwasher won’t take a minute and the pots are already soaking,” she said with finality, “no one picks up a racquet till they’ve done their share.” She rose, gathered the plates and headed to the kitchen. Kate sighed and followed her with some glasses. The wine glasses had to be washed by hand, her mother said that the dishwasher left them streaky. Kate filled the sink and put on her mother’s rubber gloves, they fitted perfectly; she was almost the exact same size as her mother.

“Anyone for fresh lemonade?” inquired Deborah, bearing a tray of tall glasses filled with ice and lemonade. The McBride lemon tree was bursting with lemons and Deborah had been busy in the kitchen. ‘At least spoilt sports were good for something,’ Kate thought, somewhat uncharitably, as she picked up the offered glass, “Thanks.” It was tart and refreshing, Kate took a long sip, she was out of the tournament and observing the game between her brothers from the sidelines. Her dad was playing referee, Colin had run her ragged and finally beaten her. He had a powerful backhand. Now her brothers were fighting out the third and final set, they were three games apiece and held a set each, it was a tight contest and very entertaining. They took a break as the game finished to join the others for lemonade. “This is great,” commented Colin, “I didn’t know you made lemonade.” “Secret family recipe,” Deborah said conspiratorially. Josh finished his drink and licked his lips, “ready to be beaten?” he inquired of his brother. Colin took a final gulp and put down his glass. Rising, he said, “over my dead body!” Kate laughed; she was secretly backing Josh, though she knew that Colin was the more likely victor. She picked up the tray of now empty glasses and returned to the house. She wanted to check on Jo. He was engrossed in a Graham Base Animalia puzzle. Kate lightly rubbed his hair and he looked up at her, “Alright Jo?” she asked. He nodded and turned back to the puzzle, the lemonade he’d been supplied with remained untouched.

Kate heard a whoop from outside and she raced back to the court. “Josh just broke Colin’s serve!” Sarah commented with excitement, “It’s 5-4 and Josh is serving for the match.” Kate sat beside Sarah, “Co’an Josh!” she yelled, betraying her allegiance. “Go Colin!” Deborah cheered in opposition. “You can do it Josh!” Sarah joined in. “Quiet please,” Mr McBride announced gravely. Josh bounced the tennis ball with his racquet and then served, it scraped the net, but landed in. “Net, first serve,” Jack said formally. Kate smiled, he was relishing the official role, ‘probably taking it far too seriously,’ she thought to herself. He was always very serious about his sport. Josh served it again, it was fast and wide, Colin couldn’t reach it. Sarah cheered joyfully, “Whoo, go Josh!” “Ace, 15 – love,” intoned Mr McBride, “Quiet please.” Kate laughed, though not too loudly, she didn’t want to attract the wrath of Ref McBride. Josh served again and Sarah gripped Kate’s hand, her knuckles turning white. A furious rally followed but Josh won again with a short lob to the forecourt. “30 – love,” Mr McBride announced. Kate was thinking how much her younger brother’s game had improved, he served again, fault, but it was close. Sarah was tense, “Relax girl, it’s not Wimbledon!” Kate said to her. Sarah laughed and relaxed slightly, “I just want him to win,” she breathed. He served again, Colin returned strongly, “30 –15”. The audience was tensely quiet as Josh served again, and another tense rally ensued. Josh again prevailed, “40 – 15, match point.” ‘Two match points’ Kate thought, ‘Come on little brother, you can do it,’ she wanted to cheer again but Josh was already preparing for his next serve, it was a strong one and Colin had to stretch to get to it. Josh smashed it in reply and Colin couldn’t reach it in time, “Game, set, match, Joshua McBride, 6 –4, 5-7, 6-4,” Mr McBride announced proudly as the brothers jogged to the net and shook hands. The three men filed out of the court, “So young McBride is the victor of the inaugural McBride family tournament,” Mrs McBride commented with evident pride, “how about coffee and cake for all our hardworking competitors?” she asked. Everyone liked that idea and trooped inside.