The Road Home by Fiona Palmer Page B

back and turned full circle, taking in the house, the sheds and native bush. And the space – so much space she could swing a bunch of cats. No more Mrs Jillary from next door with her nose over the fence telling her off because her lilac tree was dropping leaves in her yard; no more listening to the screaming fights of the young couple on the other side. Now she would only have the kangaroos dropping by to eat the grass, foxes leaving deposits on the lawn, and rabbits digging holes in the garden. She used to love coming back from school, sitting on the veranda and watching the wildlife go about its business. Stopping long enough to enjoy what Mother Nature had to offer. She wondered when she’d forgotten to stop looking. With a deep breath, she sucked up all the familiar smells of home. ‘It feels so good to be back.’
    ‘You’ve made the right choice, sis.’
    ‘I was just thinking the same thing. At times I worry that I’m stupid for thinking I can do this, but then another part of me really believes I can. And I really want to, Noah. I really want this to work.’
    ‘Don’t overthink it, Lara. Just dive in headfirst.’
    ‘Yeah, and as I recall, you’re always banging your head and getting yourself into trouble.’
    He frowned at her words and Lara caught a shift in his eyes. What was that? Fear?
    ‘Hmm. What about the time you decided to surf the old car bonnet behind the ute?’
    Noah laughed and his eyes cleared. He put his arm around her shoulders as they walked to the boot. ‘Ah, that was just a scratch.’ He gave her a wink. ‘But it was hell fun. Sometimes you gotta risk it if you want the biscuit.’
    ‘God, I actually think I missed your Noah-style philosophies on life.’ She paused. ‘I really wish you didn’t have to leave Erindale. You and I could have lots of fun working this place together,’ Lara said. She opened the boot, which just about exploded with bed linen.
    Noah reached forward and grabbed a falling pillow. ‘No, you’d get all bossy and it wouldn’t be much fun,’ he stirred. ‘You’d need to dot every ‘i’ and account for everything. No wonder you became a bloody bean counter.’
    ‘Financial planner, actually – and I would not!’
    Noah threw her a sceptical look over the collection of pillows in his arms. ‘Come on. You’re bloody near anal,’ he said, his eyes mischievous. ‘Just like Mum was. Everything so efficient.’
    With her own arms full with her doona, Lara followed Noah to the house.
    ‘This is going to take a few trips,’ she said.
    ‘No shit, Sherlock. Ever heard of travelling light? What do you need all this stuff for anyhow? Your room still has everything.’
    Lara rolled her eyes. ‘Hello – that’s my whole point. The last time I was here I nearly died from my old doona. When I find time, that room is getting a complete overhaul.’
    When they’d finished, Lara stood at the door to her room looking at the stuff they’d dumped in the passageway.
    Noah cleared his throat. ‘Well, welcome home, sis, but, um … I’ve got sheep to move, so I’ll leave you to it.’ He stepped away before she could ask him for help. ‘I’ll be back for dinner. Chops would be great,’ he added as he headed outside.
    Lara cursed under her breath. With a sigh, she took a step into her room. First things first. ‘Goodbye, Dieter Brummer,’ she said, ripping the old posters off her wall. She wasn’t going to rearrange furniture or do any painting just yet, but her cupboards needed going through and she wanted to make up the bed and then vacuum and dust. Now that this room was her main residence … a spring clean was in order.
    At six o’clock that night, Noah strolled back into the house in shorts and a singlet, leaving his boots by the back door. ‘Something’s cooking?’ he said, sniffing the air. His cheeky grin appeared through his scraggly stubble.
    ‘Yes, I cooked, but no, it’s not chops.’ Lara wouldn’t be bossed around by her big