‘Oh, thank you, thank you! Phew. I was so stressed, and we’re all still a bit muddled after the wedding, and Nani, she’ll be so happy to see you again. She talks about you all the time lately.’
‘I know.’ I’m surprised to find my voice has thickened. I get a hold of myself. ‘Look, tell Auntie I’ll be there eight at the latest. I’ll get away as soon as I can.’
I round out the conversation with Beena and disconnect. My arm feels warm; Harris has moved closer to me. He’s pressing his arm gently against mine, propping me up. ‘Is your nanna okay?’
‘She wandered away from the house this afternoon, and it sounds as if she nearly got hit by a car….’ I see his expression and hurry on. ‘No, she’s all right. But Jasminder is still on her honeymoon, and Beena and my aunt both have responsibilities tomorrow, so they’ve asked me to come and help out.’
Harris frowns at the news. ‘Is she really losing it, your nanna?’
‘I don’t know. She’s become very absent-minded lately. She thought I was my mum last time I was there. But this wandering thing is new.’
‘Will you be okay to drive? You’ve just come off shift.’
‘I’ll be all right. Anyway, there’s no way around it. The family needs me.’ I let my shoulders settle back, give Harris a rueful smile. ‘So. It looks as if we’re both going back to Mildura.’
He exhales softly and looks away, but not before I see the flash of his eyes.
