"Well don't get worked up about it" Shelly told Sacha seriously. "It's just a tiny little thing at the moment. Even if it isn't. Just tell yourself it's a tiny little thing, treat it just like that and don't get worked up about it. There's plenty of time for bigger things, but it doesn't have to be all now, right now."

"That's bullshit!" they heard Hannah yell from behind her bedroom door.

"Han, go back to sleep" Shelly called out. "Do you want some water?"

There was no answer.

"Anyway you're worrying too much about it" Shelly assured Sacha. "And besides, he's not some stranger, so half the work's already done. Just go out with him, do whatever, maybe have a drink or something 'cause that's kind of more datey than just coffee - he might get the message. Enjoy his company. You'll know how far to take it, you're sensible. And he sounds like a nice guy, from what you've said, so he won't push it. If anything you might have to do all the hard work!" Shelly giggled.

"Guys are hopeless" Hannah shouted out again.

"They're okay, honey" Shelly called back. "And how would you know?"

"How would you?" Hannah yelped.

Shelly didn't answer her, but turned back to Sacha instead. "I did my time in the hetero zone" she shrugged by way of explanation. "We didn't all come out in Primary School. Anyway, what was I saying?"

"Don't make a big deal out of it" Sacha repeated.

"Yeah. Because it's nothing. You're not in a Hollywood movie, you're in Brunswick. Don't try to force an issue -"

"Just call him!" Hannah shouted.

"How can she even hear us from in there?" Shelly laughed. "I think you should check the house for bugs" she joked to Sacha.

"The sound funnels down the corridor" Sacha explained. "You'd be amazed."

"Wonder why I've never noticed that" Shelly mused.

"Too busy with other things" Hannah called out.

"In your dreams!" Shelly called back. "You're not gonna be keeping me busy today. Rest and water for you, that's all. Anything else'll just make you puke, I know. How much did you have last night?"

Again, there was no answer.

Shelly raised an eyebrow at Sacha. "Must've been a lot if she's too embarrassed to own up" she reasoned.