Similarly, back in Christchurch, a battle of wills was taking place between Stella and her mother Kelly. Kelly’s parents had promptly vacated the house when the yelling started and left them to it.
“But everything is arranged. You agreed happily to stay here.”
“That was when you were going to go to Antarctica where I couldn’t go with you!” Stella yelled, “This is another planet for God’s sake and I can come and I’m coming!”
“No you’re not! I for bid it! You stay here where it’s safe!”
“If it’s unsafe then you shouldn’t go either!”
“I’ve been asked to go. Officially. There are a lot of older people going and they want two medical doctors. SETI have sent one and they asked me to be the other. This is an honour Stella. I have to go. I can’t pass up an opportunity like this.”
“Fine. I agree. No problem. But I’m coming with you. I’m packing and I’m coming. You organise all the medical stuff and I’ll do the packing for both of us.”
“You can’t. There’s no room.”
“Yes there is. All the seats aren’t taken yet. I checked. I added me.”
Kelly looked at her daughter in exasperation. Of course she checked. She would!