“Thanks sweetie,” Rita replied, walking into the room.
As she fetched her mobile phone out of her bag, she noticed that Charlotte was drawing people with her crayons. She smiled and answered the phone.
“Hello? Oh hi Zac, what’s up?”
“Guess who just had her baby.”
“She did? When? What is it? What they name h-”
“I told you to guess who,” Zac replied. “Not to flood me with questions.”
Rita giggled.
“It was Jess?”
“Got it in one.”
“Well, unless Babsie’s having her baby four months premature, well, we don’t have any other pregnant women in our family right now.”
“Well, actually....”
“Actually what?”
“Actually Kel might be. And if she is, I think she’ll kill me,” Zac grinned. “But anyway, Jess’s baby is a girl and her name is Emily Ruth.”
Rita was silent.
“Rita? You there?”
“Oh, umm, yeah, it’s just... I think I’m too used to Babsie and Ike naming their kids strange things. Hearing normal names for a change is a bit of a shock.”
“I know what you mean. So, how ya been?”
“Oh good.”
“How’s the tour?”
“Tiring. I think now I know how Diana felt.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever know how she felt,” Zac replied ruefully. “I love touring.”
“Yeah, I know you do. The kids seem to like it too. But I do envy Babsie right now.”
“So, why don’t you join her in Australia?”
“I don’t know...”
“Just an idea.”
“So, do you know if Avie got the part in the sitcom yet?”
“Nope. I don’t think she’s going to find out for another couple of weeks.”
“Oh ok. What about your – well, Indecision’s – album?”
“We’re just finalising stuff now. Should be headed on the promo tour soon. Hey, have you heard from Mackie recently?”
“Umm, no, I haven’t actually.”
“Ok, well, I might give him a ring tonight.”
“Well, he’d probably like to know he has another niece.”
“Probably. Well, talk to you later then. Say ‘hi’ to everyone for me.”
“Yeah, I will. You do the same for me ok?”
“No problemo. Bye.”
“Bye.”