Simon wasn’t embarrassed by my tears. He didn’t try to cheer me up. He seemed to understand that my grief and loneliness needed to spend itself. I sent flowers to Celine at Melbourne’s Women’s Hospital and talked to her on the phone that Saturday afternoon. At a Country Women’s Association stall at the music festival, I bought a tiny matinee jacket and baby bonnet, knitted with old-fashioned skill in fine, soft white wool. I posted these to Celine with a card full of my congratulations and love, then I phoned Sid. Charlotte had visited and the baby was breast-feeding without fuss. They were managing without me, and although I wanted to be needed, I was also relieved.
We found Lois and Bob again at the music festival. When they heard of my new granddaughter, they insisted on taking us both
