"Well how are you? What are you doing?" asked Sacha's sister, Kate, loudly down the 'phone. Before Sacha could answer Kate added: "I know what you're doing. You're raising an eyebrow and muttering something sarcastic to yourself, aren't you?"

"I'm not always sarcastic!" replied Sacha defensively.

"Shit, really? When did this happen?" Kate laughed. "So how's Melbourne, anyway? Is it cold?"

"No, not so far. Not nearly as cold as Canberra. Maybe it'll get colder in winter. What's happening up there? How're Mum and Dad?"

"Oh, they're good, they're good."

"Are you still living in that shit-hole in Lyneham?"

"What, that place? No fucking chance. Nah, I'm in Campbell now. It's close to work. I was looking at places in Belconnen before -"

"Kate, you can't live there!" exclaimed Sacha.

"Relax, Sash. It's not gonna happen."

"Thank Christ for that. Are you still going out with that guy? What's his name?"

"Who, Carlo? No way! He asked me to marry him, you know! Can you picture me married? I'm not even twenty-five yet!"

"What do you mean by that? It's not like life ends when you're twenty-five."

"I didn't say it did!" Kate laughed again. "Bloody hell, I see you're just as touchy as ever, then."

Sacha didn't say anything; she just muttered something sarcastic under her breath.

"So what about you then?" asked Kate. "Any men?"

"I've met a few, but they've mostly been dickheads."

"That must have been very painful for you, poor dear!" said Kate teasingly. "What about other stuff?"

"Oohh . . ." Sacha exhaled extravagantly. "Looks like I'm gonna be writing for some street mag that this chick I met works for. She's . . . One of those people who kind of talks you into doing stuff, you know?"

"Man, if she can talk you into doing stuff, then I've gotta meet her!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Despite herself, Sacha smiled a little at her end of the line.

"So when's that starting?" Kate asked.

"Dunno, next week maybe. We'll see."

"Right. Cool!"

Sacha suddenly realised how comforting it was to be talking to someone who knew her: someone to whom she didn't have to explain herself. She hadn't spoken to her sister in weeks - months, it almost felt like. She discovered an enthusiasm for small-talk which she seldom had. She settled into the most comfortable chair in her flat (one of two) and happily chatted to Kate, their voices rustling down the hushed 'phone line, for the next hour.