Rowena paced up and down the corridor alone. Austin had gone to shift his car and find a place for the dogs and he hadn’t come back yet.

Lachlan Hunter had hurried past, spoken to Jill at the desk and disappeared into the room they’d put Paula in but the door was shut and Rowena had no idea what was going on. She shared Paula’s fear that the baby was coming too early. Five weeks. Was that dangerous? You heard of babies being born much earlier than that and surviving, but they were in the city. This hospital wasn’t equipped to deliver babies and she could tell from the Jill’s side of the conversations on the phone that the retrieval team had been delayed. The fire was stretching services to the limit.

Just as she thought it the fire fighter still waiting to be seen by the doctor pulled her chiming mobile from her pocket and began to speak.

Rowena came to a stop beside her as she put the phone back in her pocket. They were the only two in the passage at that moment. The woman raised weary eyes to Rowena’s and her lips turned up in a smile. “The wind has swung right round,” she said. “The fire’s contained again.”

Rowena gripped the woman’s shoulder. “Oh thank the Lord. Are you all right?”

“Yes, just waiting for my friend to get checked out. He got a burn.”

“Can I get you anything?”

“No thanks. Looks like you’ve got your own troubles.”

They both watched as another staff member hurried past into Paula’s room.

“I’m hoping not,” Rowena said and resumed her pacing. Thank goodness she had insisted Austin cut their holiday short and return to the farm. Paula had been in no state to drive and would have been stuck there. Not only was she in labour but there had been a real danger that the fire was headed in their direction. There would still be lots to do. She prayed Dan was all right. What had he been thinking, to go off and leave Paula all that time? Now she was having the baby without him beside her.

Rowena flicked a strand of hair back from her face. She felt a surge of guilt. When they’d got the first letter about Jacinta’s baby Rowena had suggested organising an early delivery for Paula’s baby. What was that old saying mother used to recite? ‘Be careful what you wish for’?

“Any news?”

She clasped Austin’s hand and shook her head.

“The wind is quite cool outside now. I’ve found a spot for the car out of the way under a tree and tied the dogs up for the moment.”

“Good.”

“I’ve brought in Paula’s backpack.”

“Good.”