“Of course not,” said Beth.   “What does it matter if you’re not going on?   You’re too bloody dumb to be able to pass at university level anyway!   But Colleen has got enough brains to get a degree with honours!”

For a moment Rosemary sat silently staring at her mother, then standing, she ran sobbing into the lounge room.

*      *      *

“I … I didn’t know there was anyone here,” said Rosemary, between sobs, seeing Chris and Jon sitting on the sofa, watching television.

As she turned to run out of the room, Chris ran across to put his arms around Rosemary, saying, “That’s all right, we couldn’t help overhearing.”

“She’s a bitch!” said Rosemary.   She buried her face against Chris’ chest to sob.

“She’s all that and more,” conceded Chris.

“You’re lucky,” said Rosemary.   “I wish I had a mother like Auntie Norma.”

*      *      *

“Mother how could you?” asked Colleen, standing to run after Rosemary.

Beth and Bob stood together in front of the doorway to stop her from leaving, and Beth said, “You aren’t going anywhere until we’ve had this out, my girl.”

“My God, haven’t you done enough for one night?” asked Norma.

“You keep out of this, you bitch,” said Bob.

“What’d you call her?” demanded Jack.   He grabbed Bob by one arm, twisted the arm behind Bob’s back, then slammed Bob hard against the dining room wall, and repeated, “What’d you call her?”

“If the name fits,” said Bob, only to be slammed against the wall a second time.

Bob struggled free from Jack’s grip, then threw a right hook, which connected heavily with Jack’s jaw.

Jack staggered backward and crashed hard into the ancient kitchen, making the rickety cupboards beneath the sink sway precariously.   The glass in the window rattled as though it were going to break; empty cups and plates and cutlery cascaded down the bench to rattle and crash into the sink.