Drip Dry

Overview: Ilsa Evans lives in a partially renovated house in the Dandenongs, east of Melbourne. She has completed a PhD at Monash University on the long-term effects of domestic violence and writes fiction on the weekends. 'Sticks and Stones' is her seventh novel. "Because sometimes coffee isn't nearly enough and you have to take a deep breath, maintain control, and assess the situation...or just reach for the scotch." The twice-divorced mother of three is back. New, improved and stronger than ever-but still struggling to keep her head above water, even in the bath. And what a week it is in the Riley/Brown/McNeill household. There's one wedding, two babies, three engagements and four birthdays. Then ex-ex-husband Alex's long-awaited return from overseas heralds unexpected results, which in turn heralds the arrival of a most unwanted guest. Meanwhile, Sam wants to join the armed forces, Ben is setting up embarrassing money-making schemes and CJ's wreaking havoc with sharp fairy wands. Along the way there's an infectious disease outbreak, a mysterious death in the family, a broken nose, a bruised rump and several bruised egos. Can life get more frenetic than this? The Riley/Brown/McNeill household is having a busy week. There's one weddiing, two babies, three engagements and four birthdays. Then ex-husband Alex's return form overseas precipitates the arrival of an unwanted guest. Along the way there's an infectious disease outbreak, a mysterious death in the family, a broken nose, a bruised rump, several bruised egos and CJ's wreaking havoc with sharp fairy wands