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here the doctor ran some tests and told us your father had had a mild heart attack. We're probably going to have to go to Adelaide for some more tests, but at the moment he's resting and he's feeling all right.'
    'Oh, Mum, I was so scared. So the doctor really thinks he's going to be fine?'
    'He should be as fit and strong as you can be once you've had a heart attack. He may have to have bypass surgery, but we won't know that till the tests have been done.'
    Gemma started to get up, then sat back down again and hugged her mother. 'What about you? Are you going all right?'
    Sarah nodded, but Gemma saw the glimmer of tears in her eyes before she swiftly rose from the couch. 'Coming?'
    Gemma stood and followed her down the corridor. When Sarah opened the door Gemma paused at the threshold, swallowing hard to control her emotions.
    When she entered the room her eyes flew straight to the bed where her father lay, his eyes closed and hands resting on his stomach. Gemma felt her throat contract when she looked at his hands, so familiar but in such alien surrounds. He had monitors on his chest and fingers, and they beeped quietly as she glanced at the green lines that measured his breathing and any movements made by his heart.
    'Hi, Dad,' Gemma said softly.
    His eyes opened and she was relieved to see that, although he looked tired and pale, his eyes still held their usual sparkle.
    'Hi, Gem. Didn't hit any roos on the way in?'
    Gemma smiled and moved across to sit on the bed. She picked up one of his hands. 'Not this time. They didn't have time to see me!'
    'Good. Now don't you go worrying yourself about me. Everything will be fine.'
    'I'm supposed to be the one telling you that,' Gemma said in jest. 'I guess you'll be up and about in no time. I won't even have time to get over to the farm and check the stock for you.'
    'Well, you might get to check them once or twice while I'm in Adelaide, but other than that you ain't getting your mitts on my land yet, missy!' Her father smiled to show he was teasing.
    'Well, don't worry about anything on the farm. Bulla, Garry and I can deal with it. Just you get better.'
    'Mmm,' said Jake as his eyes began to close again. Gemma settled into a chair on one side of his bed and her mother sat on the other side, each holding a hand.
    'Gemma, I need to talk to you about something.' Her father's tone was quiet but serious.
    Gemma looked across at him.
    'Is it really important, Dad? You really should be resting now.'
    There was a look of indecision on his face, battling with fatigue.
    'You and I need to have a long talk when I get back from the city, okay? Promise me you will make time.' The intensity of his words alarmed Gemma.
    'Of course, Dad, whatever you want,' she said, looking at her mother with her eyebrows raised in query. But if Sarah knew what it was Jake wanted to talk to Gemma about, she gave no indication.
    As her dad drifted off to sleep, Gemma let the soft beeps of the monitors lull her into a doze.

    Gemma woke with a start as she heard rustling in the room. As her sleep-filled eyes focused, she remembered where she was and why. Her eyes flew to the bed but she relaxed as she heard the rhythmic breathing of her father. He was still asleep, as was her mum, who dozed with her head against Jake's shoulder. They had been married for thirty-five years and were as much in love now as the day they married. This must be hard for them both.
    A nurse was checking Jake's monitors and feeling his pulse. She smiled when she saw that Gemma was awake.
    'Hi,' she whispered.
    Gemma returned the smile sleepily. 'Hi, what's the time?'
    'About four thirty.'
    'If they wake up, could you let them know that I've just had to make a phone call and I'll be right back?'
    'Sure.'
    Gemma slipped from the room, pulling out her mobile phone as she went. Walking outside she smelled rain on the bitumen and heard the engine of the occasional passing car. She wrapped her arms around herself to keep warm, but relished the