“What time is Beth expecting us?” I ask.
“Any time after six.”
Forty five minutes to spare.
“Keen for a quick video chat? The fam wants to wish you a happy birthday.”
He seems surprised by this.
“Yeah, go on then."
His smile is soft.
The dial tone purrs.
And suddenly there they are, six of my favourite faces.
???
“There he is!” beams Mum. “Happy birthday, Marco! Hugs from us!”
“Thanks, Ava,” he waves. “Amos spoiled me with pancakes this morning.”
“Pancakes in the outback? Bet that was yummy.”
“Delicious. And a pretty sunrise under the tree, too.”
He runs a naughty hand along my thigh, out of view of the camera.
I return the favour.
“You boys surviving the wild?” asks my dad.
“Yep. Been teaching your son how to be a country lad,” Marco winks.
“Good luck with that,” laughs Talia in the background.
“Hey, excuse me, I swung an axe this afternoon. And spent the night in a tent.”
“I wanna see Uncle Amos's tent.”
A little nose fills the screen, followed by a blur of curls.
“I see tent tooooo,” Benson pleads.
“We've packed up the tent, mate. But I'll send your Mummy a photo later.”
Ollie gives an impatient sigh.
“When is Uncle Marco coming back to Gran and Poppa's house?”
My eyes dart to the left.
Uncle Marco,I mouth silently.
I hope they’re not being too intense for him.
To my relief, he seems honoured by the title.
