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She pulls me through into the living room where I sink down onto the sofa. Her hand remains firmly clasped in mine. When I tell her about my parents' money worries and the surgery her face falls.

“I couldn’t get Margaret to talk to me.”

I try not to let my disappointment show. It’s not her fault. She’s done everything she could.

Through the long night, I toss and turn, unable to sleep, wishing there was something more I could do.

I’ve always been a fixer. I fix my neighbours’ problems, I fix arguments in my family, I fix things that aren’t working. But this is a problem I can’t fix and that drives me crazy.

TWENTY SEVEN

Mia

I don’t think either of us gets much sleep that night. Poor Luke is as restless as I usually am. Early in the morning, I finally give up and slip on another of his hoodies, inhaling the earthy masculine scent. What a luxury to have access to a whole cupboard full!

I’m sitting in the living room with my feet tucked up on the sofa and a steaming cup of tea in my hands when Luke emerges, brushing his fingers through his wild hair.

“Hey.” I wish there was more I could say. He looks haggard, like he’s spent more than just the one night of broken sleep.

“Hey.” He comes to sit next to me and leans forward, bracing his elbows on his knees and putting his head in his hands.

We’re quiet for a while. I’m trying to figure out the best approach to try talking to Margaret again today. “You know it’s a shame the Rotary Club doesn’t know about this. I bet they’d love to help. You said your parents have been lifelong members.”

Luke lifts his head to look at me. “Yeah.” After a pause, he sits up a little straighter. “Yeah. They would love to help. Why didn’t I think of that?”

It’s only seven in the morning, but beside me my phone buzzes with an incoming call. When I look down to check, it’s Dad. I swipe to dismiss it. I sent a message to let him know why I wasn’t coming back. I’m not ready to talk to him or Mum yet. I will, eventually. They’re my parents after all. I’m not sure things can ever go back to the way they were, though.

“Maybe we should get in touch with the Rotary Club members and let them know. Do you think your parents would mind?”

Luke winces. “Mum’ll probably go mad when she finds out, but I’m going to do it anyway.”

I smile. That’s the first real determination I’ve heard in his voice since he had the news.

At least we have something to do today. With everything up in the air, there’s no reason to keep working on the renovation and obviously, I’m not working. I should probably look for jobs, but I’m not sure I have the heart today. I’ll go over my CV tomorrow and begin the hunt. Right now, I’m focused on making sure we do what we can to help Luke’s family.

Yesterday, Margaret just about shut her front door in my face as soon as I explained who I was. I don’t want to pester her, but I need an opportunity to plead my case. I decide to make one more bid to get her to listen.

Luke emails the secretary of the Rotary Club. Half an hour later, we have agreed to meet her for tea at the Coral Breeze Cafe that afternoon.

Meanwhile, I walk down to the local newsagent and buy a card and a pen, and write out a short note. In the end, I don’t say much. I just let Margaret know I’d love to talk to her if she’ll hear me out. I could have told her about the financial risks of a case like this. About the costs she’ll have to pay if she loses. I could have warned her my Dad’s case is potentially unscrupulous. Instead, I tell her about Luke’s dad and the financial pressure his family is under right now. In the end I’d rather appeal to her sense of compassion than stoop to making threats just like my dad.

I guess we’ll see which approach wins at the end of the day.

“I had no idea your father was sick.” Lin Wang is a short woman with flecks of grey in her short dark hair and bright red lipstick that sticks to the side of her teacup when she takes a sip.

Luke scrubs a hand over his face. “Neither did we. We only found out a couple of weeks ago when he said he had an appointment in Sydney.”

Lin nods sadly. “My husband passed away ten years ago. Cancer.”

In the moment of silence, I feel that news hit Luke like a physical blow. I slide closer to him on the bench seat until our thighs are touching.

“What we need is a fundraiser.” Lin sets her cup down on the saucer with a clink. “The biggest fundraiser we’ve ever done. I’ll start making phone calls today. We need items we can auction, and we need a way to raise awareness. And if either of you feel up to helping out, I’m sure we could use all hands on deck.”

“Actually, I could make some paintings. To donate for the auction.”

Lin smiles. “Perfect.”

“And I could help with flyers and images for social media, too.”

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