Maxwell: Congratulations on being back in the country. Tell Dad the file v. Neville is nearing completion. We should get a judgement on Friday.
Marie: Thanks for that Max. We had a great time, it's good of you to ask. And you're all welcome to the winery that you'll one day inherit.
Maxwell: Sorry. You know I'm shit with saying the right thing.
Claire: Ignore Max. He's still a knob. That hasn't changed while you were away. How are your livers?
Marie: Recovering. Slowly. Your dad's gone to play golf with Geoff and discuss the funeral. How's Amelie?
Maxwell: She's managing. Back at work and dealing with things with perspective. She'll be fine.
Marie: Good. I'm glad you're all looking after her. We're expecting all of you over – those that are in the country – the weekend after next. Let me know of any plus ones (I'm still living in hope for grandchildren before I'm 60.)
There was a long break in the time between texts. Once Marie had the head's up about me and Vanessa she would become over-enthusiastic. Now I wished I'd been nicer to the former girl and boyfriends of my siblings. That might have curbed her enthusiasm for any of us being in new relationships.
Marie: Silence. That means you're all following The Code. Let me see who will be the first one to break...
Marie was the only person who ever referenced The Code, and she only did it to extract information from whichever one of us was adulting best that day. Back when we were kids, The Code was used as a nickname for silence, for covering up misdemeanors on who had broken windows or eaten the last of the pie in the fridge. I knew Seph and Ava at least would be desperate to tell her about Vanessa and unleash the wave of hysteria it would cause. I decided to take control of the situation and determined that Marie only received the right information and not some hashed up fairy-tale-slash-porn that Seph would create.
Me: I'm bringing someone.
Marie: You're outing yourself????
Ava: Well, we always knew he spent a bit too long in the male changing rooms at the gym...
Seph: And that hair – it screams Pride!
Payton: We need to let Vanessa know: he's using her to hide!
Ava: I'm so proud. I always wanted a gay sibling. Well done, Jackson!
Marie: Stop! You heathen children! I didn't mean it like that, I meant he was informing me himself rather than one of the rest of you spilling the beans. I take it she is called Vanessa? Is she sane?
Me: Thanks, Marie.
Marie: Lolz.
Ava: Jeez Mum, stop trying to be trendy. Use the emoticons.
Marie: What's an emoticon?
Ava: The smiley face buttons. It's less cringe-worthy then you using abbreviations. Anyway, our lovely brother has been spending lots of time with Vanessa watching Netflix and chilling.
Marie: I hope you've been taken her out for meals and maybe to the theatre or something civilized and not just staying in watching TV.
Seph: That's not what 'Netflix and Chill' means, Mum.
Marie: That's what I say to your dad when we have a night in, 'why don't we watch Netflix and chill?'
Max: Please don't tell us anymore. Can we invoke The Code on this one?
Marie: I'll just Google it. Hang on.
Marie: Oh.
Marie: I've just texted your dad with what it means. I'll make sure to let you know his response. Now. Vanessa. Is this the same Vanessa from the marketing company who's doing the ball?
Jackson: Yeah, that's how we met.
