He’d dealt very capably with Dan’s Aunt Rowena when she’d had a bad bout of flu a few months ago. Anyone who could organise Rowena against her will was a miracle worker in Paula’s eyes. When Paula had been hospitalised with the same virus, Lachlan had kept a close eye on her recovery. She had also seen his handiwork with their neighbour Bruce after his accident with the auger. Then there was his patch-up job on Dan after he rolled his car. She gave an involuntary shiver when she recalled how easily she and her friend Jane, Bruce’s wife, could have become widows. There was such a variety of things for a country GP to do and Paula had full confidence in Lachlan Hunter.

He looked at the computer screen on the desk in front of him. “Dr Markham has sent your notes from Sydney and with your recent ultrasound results we can be confident your March due date is correct.”

Paula couldn’t resist putting her hand on her stomach. Was she imagining a slight bulge there already, even though she was only twelve weeks along? She certainly couldn’t stand to have anything tight around her middle. That was something that did make her feel sick.

“I’ve been a bit nervous. I was still taking the pill when I conceived. I’ve been worried it might have affected the baby.”

“There’s no need to worry. We’ll send you for another ultrasound at twenty weeks but you’re fit and healthy. No reason to think the baby is otherwise. How are you feeling in general? Apart from this morning, you said the nausea is easing.”

“I thought I would have to start the day with a cup of tea and cracker biscuits forever.” She gave the doctor a wry smile. “I still feel a bit queasy at times but this morning was the first time I’ve been sick in a while. Both my sisters were the same but they felt fine for the rest of their pregnancies.”

“Country South Australia is a long way from your family in Sydney. How are you settling in?”

“Until I met Dan I’d never given farm life a thought but I’m very happy here.” She smiled. “My sisters wonder what I do all day. They can’t imagine how I keep busy without shops and movies and nightlife.”

“I know what you mean.”

She watched the doctor tap at the keyboard and wondered if there was a Mrs Hunter. “Are you from Sydney?” she asked.

“No. English father and Chinese mother who raised me in the leafy suburbs of Adelaide – a world away from here. I only came for a brief country experience a few years ago and I’m still here.”

“I guess we’re not that far from the city but I find the local community provides most things I need.”