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inserted itself into their lives. Richard despises it and its chatty friends, swearing that if he had a gun he would shoot them all. For Christine the bird brings light relief, countering the tension that permeates the house. This magpie has become her alarm clock and without fail at first light it wakes her up. When she needs to get up to attend the graveyard shift the magpie’s screeching reminds her it’s time.
    In the shower the hot jets of water bring some life back into Christine’s body and sharpen her mind. Downstairs the answering machine continues to flash. The thought of dealing with Richard’s hectoring demands and cruel words fills her with dread. The latest bombshell forces Christine to come to terms with the likelihood that their relationship is finally over. This time he has deliberately dropped her into the eye of a storm, forcing her to witness his deception and infidelity up close. She understands that this time he spelt it out to her with unambiguous clarity, that they are finished.
    He leaves eight messages in less than forty-eight hours stating that he wants her to leave sooner rather than later. He wants to expel her from his life, wants her to vanish with little or nocomplication to him. Christine has no doubt that his many failed attempts to contact her have left him in a state of rage, and a face to face encounter would result in a blazing argument.
    Maybe his ridiculous endeavour to flatter himself by charming and winning over a woman half his age has failed. Perhaps in a moment of lucidity good sense has prevailed – he realises this new relationship is doomed and he is about to beg forgiveness.
    Although she is curious about his state of mind she knows she must prepare for the next stage; the disintegration of her life with Richard and the familiarity of this house.
    She listens to the messages again. The first one, from the hospital, informs her that the charge nurse is on extended leave following an accident and requests that Christine fill this position. The second is from Julian. He has called from Sydney, explaining that he is flying out that evening to Brisbane. He leaves a mobile number and email address requesting that Christine contact him. Richard’s messages can wait. Julian presents complications that Christine must consider before she contacts her brother.
    She goes to the kitchen; pull a glass from a cupboard, drops in ice, lemonade then rum. Her nerves are in a jangled state and her stomach growls with hunger. When she picks up the glass it slips through her fingers and shatters on the floor. She watches her hands tremble before dropping bread into the toaster. She arranges the bland meal onto a tray, pulls the wingback in front of the fireplace. She remains there, unaware that time slips past and she has matters, as unpleasant as they are, to attend to. The meal is tasteless and forms a hard knot in her stomach. The fresh drink loosens her mind enough for her to fall into an exhausted sleep.
    Richard’s first three messages are almost the same, word for word:
Where are you? I expect you are home. I’ll call back later. We have to talk.
Delete. Clearing his throat, in a concerned voice, the next message takes a different approach, one Christine suspects feigns concern.
I expect you have returned. Hope the trip was okay,
followed by impatience:
Pick up the phone we must talk.
Delete.The volume of his voice increases as does his sense of outrage and desperation.
For f—k’s sake Christine, pick up the phone. This is so like you. Don’t you get it – we’re over?
Delete.
Please be reasonable and pick up the phone
, he pauses, draws breath and sighs.
I will be home Sunday and it would be of mutual benefit if you moved yourself out before I return. We must talk.
Delete.
    A big ask – how dare the bastard! How dare the bastard have the temerity to make these outrageous demands over the phone! Does he think I will leave because it is convenient for him? Does he think that