One time the woman was particularly interested in the way Bonnie never looked at her when they were talking, so the next time Bonnie stared straight at her. She learnt that if she paid close enough attention to their questions, she could tell them whatever it was they seemed to want to hear. Something must have worked, because one day her mother stormed out, grabbed her hand, and they never went back. Bonnie remembered listening to her parents talking that night when she was supposed to be in bed, and hearing her mum utter the words, ‘Sometimes nothing good comes from being honest.’

At first it was exciting to hear her mum say something so unexpected, but the moment passed quickly and then it just left her uneasy. God knew she had enough things she was already worrying about.

Now her mum was back to her old tricks, trying to get her to make friends, and it was for that exact reason she was going to refuse to have absolutely anything to do with this Iona.

Maria stopped at the thin line of trees and hesitated, hidden from view. Everyone came to the island for something, which was why she was always so wary of newcomers. It would only be a matter of days before she and the islanders started talking about them, drawing conclusions as to what the new people expected from Evergreen, what they might be running from. Everyone had a reason for coming here.

At the other end of the jetty Stella had her arms around her dad’s stomach. He’d pulled her in tight and was kissing her head. Maria loved watching David’s affection for his children, though she wasn’t entirely sure it was always fairly distributed. Yet another thing she’d glossed over, when maybe she should have paid more attention.

He looked up over his daughter’s head, glancing around, and Maria knew he was looking for her so she stepped out.

A woman was climbing down the steps of the boat, looking harried. She had dark hair pulled into a tight ponytail and was calling behind her. ‘Come on, Freddie. Freya, take his hand, get him down the steps.’

Clearly this was the Little family. Maria smiled at the mother as she hurried up the jetty, suitcases tightly clutched in both hands. ‘I’m Maria, welcome to Evergreen,’ she said as they passed, just as Annie Webb had when they’d stepped off the boat all those years ago.

The woman paused, looking around. ‘Feels like I’m on some TV show, you know, surviving on a desert island.’

‘I’m sure you’ll love it,’ Maria replied, though she wasn’t sure in the slightest. Already she had the sense the Littles weren’t cut out for Evergreen. ‘If there’s anything you need, I live in the Quay House,’ Maria went on, indicating behind her.