Wednesday

In Australia, "Yum Cha" is what the rest of the world refer to as "Dim Sum". Probably because we have a fast food snack called a Dim Sim.

It was a little before 7am, and Jack was in his shirt sleeves, at the table having his breakfast (Poached egg on smashed avocado on whole grain toast.) He was reading the third page of "The Age", and Mr Butler was in the easy chair reading the "Business Guide" ("It's looking harder to retire every year, Inspector!")

There was a whump, a thump and a clunk, as heavy school bag rolled off the bottom stair. Mr Butler winced, but Jack barely lifted his eyes from his breakfast.

Jane plonked herself in the chair opposite Jack. "OMG, it's only Wednesday! How am I going to get through this week?"

"I think you should try like the rest of us" suggested Jack, "Just get up and get going!"

Jane gave him a condescending look. "It may work for your robot-like constables, but I can assure you that school girls are made of an entirely different disposition" she said profoundly.

"Especially those from an expansive private school like Warley Grammar" muttered Jack.

Jane sniffed, not sure if that was a comment or a veiled insult.

Mr Butler placed a dish of steamed Chinese dumplings in front of her.

"Shu Shu" smiled Jane, as she picked up her chopsticks.

"My pleasure" beamed Mr Butler.

Jack looked with surprise at Jane's breakfast.

"I'm getting ready for Yum Cha on Sunday" explained Jane.

Jack raised his eyebrows. "Since when do you need to 'prepare' for Yum Cha?" he asked.

"Chopstick skills" said Jane, using hers deftly, "and gastronomic preparation."

Jack wasn't sure if there was such a thing, but he let it go. "So; who's going to be at the Yum Cha on Sunday?" he asked.

"Why are you so interested?" Jane replied.

Jack gave up. "It was just a question Jane, not an interrogation. It's part of the social etiquette known as 'conversation'! The answer, "just friends from school" or "the Mandarin class" would suffice!"

"All right" said Jane begrudgingly, "it is the Mandarin Class."

"Fine" said Jack returning to his breakfast.

"Plus the Mandarin class from the boy's school" Jane added slyly.

Jack schooled his features to show no reaction. "Well, I hope you have a wonderful time" he said.

"Charlie Bryson will be there" said Jane. Charlie was the son of Jack's friend Greg, the Police Prosecutor.

"It should be fun" said Jack, deliberately staying neutral.

Jane sighed, seeing that she was getting no reaction. "Can I have a lift to school?" she asked.

"No" said Jack, "I know you have a very serviceable myki tram pass for getting to school."

"But I need to get there early" said Jane, "We have a planning session for the Yum Cha."

"What do you need to plan, apart from the time and place?" asked Jack.

"Well, we have to select the menu" said Jane, "Plus find out who eats the vegetarian dishes, plus find the gluten free ones. And remind Sally to have her Epi-pen."

"She needs an Epi-pen for gluten?" asked Jack

"No, egg" said Jane. "And then we have to remind everyone to bring cash. Because last time, some people forgot, and Sally's mum arrived and wanted to put Sally's portion on card, but they wouldn't split the bill, so it go all problematic."

"So you sorted it out for everyone then?" suggested Jack humorously.

"No, Phryne did" said Jane, "She waved her card and the waiters were running around her like she was a local god or something, and she talked to them all in Chinese, but Sally thinks most of them were from Malaysia or Vietnam."

"And would Sally know the difference?"

"Well, duh, she's from Hong Kong. At least her Mum is. I haven't met her Dad." Jane paused, "I wonder if Phryne will turn up this year. She and Mr Lin spent ages talking at a separate table last time."

"I didn't realise that Mr Lin attended Mandarin class lunches" said Jack stiffly.

"Oh, he has come to the table most times to say 'Hello". We probably get better food if they know he's going to turn up."

"Why, does he own the restaurant?" asked Jack in jest.

"Yeah, I think he does" said Jane.

Jack pushed his plate away. "Well, good for Mr Lin. I'm going to work!"

"Can you drop me off near school please?"

"I thought I said no" said Jack. "Can you give me one good reason why I should?"

"Because Mr Butler is too busy reading about Phryne's Share prices on the stock market page to drive me to school" covered Jane.

"No, I have finished Dear" said Mr Butler, "The prices are the same as yesterday."

"No, really Mr Butler, you don't have to get up. Jack was going to drive me anyway" said Jane. She turned and glared at Jack. "Mr Butler does not need to get the Corolla out of the garage, seeing as you are going that way anyway."

Jack looked from Jane, to Mr Butler, who seemed to be having difficulty getting out of the easy chair.

"Oh, all right" he sighed. "Get your bag and let's go."

"Thanks Jack" smiled Jane, and she rushed over to Mr Butler, who had resumed his seat. "Don't get up Mr B" and planted a kiss on his bald head, before grabbing her lunch bag off the kitchen bench. "Come on Jack, I'm ready" she said and she headed out of the kitchen.

Jack looked around, as if taken back by Jane's sudden activity. "Are you feeling OK Mr B?" he said. "Do you mind that I take Jane to school instead of you?"

Mr Butler picked up his paper again. "I am suddenly feeling much better" he said "and I don't mind at all!"