‘There seems to be a shortage of clotheslines in this country,’ I said.

For a moment there was no response from the three others in the car.

‘What now?’ Lachlan said.

‘I say, there seems to be a shortage of clotheslines in this country,’ I said.

‘Explain,’ he said.

‘I’m observing peoples homes as we’re driving,’ I said. ‘Now my observations are not scientific, but I’m noticing a trend.’

‘About the...

‘I don’t know how to explain it without it sounding silly,’ she said.

‘Do you think it’s silly?’ I asked.

‘No!’ she said. ‘I think it’s wonderful.’

‘So, why should it sound silly?’ I asked.

‘I just don’t feel like things are any different than they were before,’ she said.

‘Do you think things should be different?’ I asked.

‘People expect things to be different so I feel silly to mention it since t...

‘How often will she come back?’

‘She’ll be back for a week or so at the end of February and then about every five weeks after that,’ I said.

‘That’s not so long, I guess,’ he said.

‘Sometimes it seems very long time,’ I said.

He looked at me and I think he understood both my meanings.

‘Anyway, it already feels very long,’ I said.

Then my phone made a sound like a telegraph.

‘We’re going to spend a...