iii

They had taken the ferry to Queenscliff. Kate had dropped her Id into Port Philip Bay and she was now Julie Barnes with her young son. They arrived in Queenscliff at 3.30pm, and she calculated that they could make it to Geelong in about half an hour or so. They picked up a snack on their way through town. Kate had contacted another old school friend, who now lived just outside Geelong and they were going to stay with him and his family tonight. They were expecting Kate for dinner. They drove around Geelong for about 40 minutes. Kate was careful not to drive the same roads so as not to attract any undue attention. They were not expected at her friend’s place yet and they had made good time from Queenscliff. Kate hadn’t been to Geelong for ages and it was quite changed. There was a new bypass that was almost completed and several new buildings and signage. It looked to be quite the rural metropolis. She parked out the front of her friend’s place as the sun was beginning to make its descent. Though there were still several hours of sunlight remaining. Kate, Jo and Benny stood at the door for almost five minutes. Kate pressed the bell again. There was raucous activity raging inside so they probably couldn’t hear it. She looked at Jo, ‘let’s try ‘round the back.”

They trooped around the side and soon found themselves out the back. John had just finished mowing the lawn and looked up in surprise. “Kate? You look so different!” They hugged briefly and Kate introduced Jo. “Come inside and meet the family,” John said and ushered them inside. They left Benny outside, tethered to the porch. “Quiet kids! Our guests have arrived,” John yelled. Four pairs of eyes looked up from the chaos that was obviously a lounge room. “Kate and Jo, this is Luke, Mark and Andy,’’ he said, indicating the boys, “and this is Jemma,” he said and lifted up his young daughter. A woman poked her head into the room and then entered. She was still wearing rubber gloves. “Hi there, you must be Kate and Jo, I’m Susan,” she apologised for the state of the house, “it was tidy before the triplets got home from school!” Kate raised her eyebrows, “triplets?” John laughed, “Yes, I call them my little terrors! But they’re not such bad boys really.” Kate didn’t look convinced. Terrors seemed to fit the carnage that they’d caused to the lounge room. “Dinner will be ready soon,” said Susan, “kids, help your Daddy tidy up please.” Kate and Jo helped out too and the room had soon resumed its usual state. John got the triplets to help him set the table and by the time they were done, dinner was ready.

Kate hadn’t ever experienced such a raucous dinner before. The triplets kept up a constant commentary on the proceedings and the adults struggled to be heard over the top of them and finally gave up. Jo’s silence hadn’t gone unnoticed either. The triplets had been attempting to make him talk for the past twenty minutes, but all to no avail. Kate had tried to explain to the boys that Jo never spoke, but they wouldn’t listen to her. “Right boys, next one to speak stacks the dishwasher!” John warned. Peace reigned at long last! John got up and began collecting dishes, “but Dad, I haven’t finished!” complained Andy. “Right Andy, you’re on dishwasher duty with me, come on.” Andy pushed back his chair reluctantly, “Aw Dad, that’s not fair!” he grumbled as he followed John into the kitchen, dragging his feet. “Mum,” Luke tentatively began, “you promised us we could watch Toy Story tonight.” Susan smiled and ruffled Luke’s fair hair, “I did, didn’t I? Well, why don’t you boys go and brush your teeth and put your jarmies on while I put Jemma to bed.” The two remaining boys leapt up from the table and raced off. Susan lifted Jemma from the highchair, “I’ll show you your room,” she said to Kate and they followed her down the hall. “Sorry about the mess, I went back to work last week and I just haven’t been able to keep on top of everything!” Kate told her it wasn’t so bad, “those boys of yours must be a handful!” Susan laughed, “You could say that, yes. They sure keep me on my toes.” She opened a door and flicked on the light. “Here you go, I hope you’ll be comfortable, sing out it you need anything. The bathroom is just down the hall on the right, but I’d wait until the boys are done if I were you!” She turned and left them to it. Jemma was getting grizzly and Susan wanted to put her to bed.

Kate surveyed the room, a bunk bed, dresser and small wardrobe and few pictures on the wall. Jo claimed the top bunk and Kate got out his pyjamas. “Are you going to watch the movie with the boys?” she asked as she passed them to Jo. Jo nodded enthusiastically and changed into his pyjamas. Kate poked her head out of the door and saw the boys disappearing down the hall. “The coast is clear,” she told Jo, “let’s go and brush our teeth.” She led the way to the bathroom. Kate supervised Jo brushing his teeth and went outside to Benny. She fetched his bed from the car and made sure that he was comfortable. He hadn’t slept outside before and she felt a bit sorry for him. ‘At least it’s not too cold tonight,’ she thought as she patted him on the back. “Kate, do you want a cup of tea, or something?” John called from inside the house. Kate stood up and went back inside, “tea sounds lovely.” Peace had returned to the house with the boys occupied in front of the television and Jemma asleep. The adults retired to the lounge for a good catch-up.