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Kane almost had everything out of the car: the stroller, the bag of toys and spare clothes, and most importantly, the pavlova that Ellie had spent most of the morning baking and decorating—when she should have been packing. He clicked the remote to bring the back door down and then when he was sure everyone was out, he locked the car.

‘Quick, Els. Take your pav before it overbalances.’ After he passed the domed Tupperware container to her, Kane juggled holding James’ hand, Matilda, and the stroller with the bags loaded into it.

‘I can take something else for you,’ Ellie said as she checked that Verity was still standing beside the car.

‘You look after that pavlova. It has to get upstairs without sloshing.’

‘My pavs don’t slosh!’

‘Well, without getting dropped,’ he said with an apologetic smile. ‘I’m addicted to your pavlovas, my love.’

‘You’re forgiven then.’

Kane nodded towards the cars that drove in as they started walking, and they both paused. ‘Here’s Emma and Jeremy now.’

‘And Mum and Graysen. Great timing.’

‘You’ve got a bit of a load there, McLarens,’ Jeremy, Emma’s husband, called through his open window.

‘I bet you’ve got more.’

Jeremy laughed. ‘We travel light.’

‘I wish,’ Kane said.

Between the three sisters with Dru’s Ruby, Emma’s Akasha, and Dee and Ryan’s twin boys, Angus and Wyatt, Ellie’s three: James, Verity and Matilda, Ellie knew Mum would be in seventh heaven this afternoon. They didn’t get together as often as they should.

She grinned over at the Lexus parked at the back of the car park. Just as well there were a few visitor parking spots allocated in the basement car park; the family had filled it up today.

Mum opened the passenger door of their luxury Lexus sedan and hurried over. ‘Hello, my baby. I’ve missed you so much.’

‘Mum, it’s only been five days,’ Emma said as she lifted Akasha out.

‘Yes, but you all get to see them every day and I don’t.’ Sandra grinned as she swooped down and kissed Akasha, and then turned her attention to Ellie’s three.

‘James, I’ll swear you’ve grown since last weekend.’

‘He has; plus, Mum, you get to talk to them on the phone every day, and FaceTime too.’ Ellie leaned over to kiss her mother’s cheek and smiled at Graysen as he relieved Kane of some of his load. ‘How are you anyway, Mum?’

‘I’m good. We’ve been busy packing and I’m so happy to see all of my munchkins together before we leave for Africa.’

‘How long now?’ Ellie asked as Sandra took Matilda from Kane.

‘We tried to time it to coincide with your trip so we’d be back by the time you get home. You’re gone for six weeks, aren’t you?’

‘Could be a little bit longer now,’ Ellie said as they all headed towards the lift in the basement. Jeremy buzzed the security intercom, and Dru answered immediately.

‘I’ll unlock the gate for you.’

As they waited, Sandra bent down to James. ‘Can I have a cuddle, Jamie?’

‘Nan! Cuddles are for girls. I shake hands.’

Sandra shook her head. ‘Nanny’s not going to see you for ages and ages, so I need a big nanny cuddle.’

James pulled a face. ‘Later, when you put Tilly down.’

‘I’ll look forward to that, young man. Oh, and wait until you see the present for you in my bag. I thought I’d better get it early, seeing as you’ll have your birthday while you’re away.’