“Haven’t really thought about it.”

They came to a gate and Paula got out to open it. She liked the idea of getting a new working dog but she thought it might be too soon yet for Dan.

“Leave it open,” he called as he drove through.

“Aye, aye, Captain,” she muttered as she walked back to the tray top.

Dan drove along the edge of the paddock towards the distant machinery.

“So, this is the famous corner paddock.” Paula used an exaggerated tone.

Dan reached a hand across and felt her forehead. “High fever. Must be delirious. Nothing famous about this paddock, little lady.”

She was pleased to see him relax again.

“Why is it called the corner paddock?” she persisted. “You keep evading my question. Is it a secret?”

Dan pulled up beside the spray unit and turned to her, his face serious again. “Well, there is a bit of a story to it. Great Grandpa Woodcroft bought this property at the start of last century. He was a meticulous man and he laid out all the paddocks in rectangles or squares. Nothing was ever out of place.”

Paula studied Dan’s eyes. He looked so earnest. This property had been in his family for four generations, soon to be five.

“Roads or tracks meandered everywhere in those days and one cut across one of his paddocks. He didn’t like having an odd-shaped paddock so he took over the land next door to create a rectangular paddock which caused a huge feud with the farmer who owned it. Ever since then it’s been named the corner paddock.” He said the last few words quickly and waved his hand at the paddock with a flourish.

Paula glared at him as she saw the corners of his mouth and eyes begin to crease up in a grin. “Dan Woodcroft,” she growled and reached over and punched him on the shoulder. “You’re making that up!”

“Ouch!” he yelped and jumped out of the vehicle. “Watch out for my old war wound.”

Paula got out too and slammed the door. She had asked what she’d thought was a perfectly sensible question and he was teasing her.

He walked towards her with his arms outstretched, hands flat and palms facing her. “Now, little lady,” he drawled, “no violence please.”

“I thought it was a reasonable question.” She glared at him. “Surely this property has at least four corners. How do you know which corner paddock is which?”

Suddenly he leaped forward and wrapped her tightly in his arms. Her face was pressed into his chest, which smelled faintly of oil.