Monica and her husband, Rod, owned a property south of the town. They had a fine wool stud and Monica had made a business out of home-spun knits. Dan’s interest in breeding fine wool sheep was one thing but, the more Paula came to understand about the farm income, it was obvious to her that they needed diversity for the tough times. In a small way, that’s what Monica had done and Paula was keen to talk to her about how she’d gone about it.

“Hello, Paula.” Monica waved a hand at the empty seat next to her. “Would you like to sit here for a while? What do you think of all this carry on?”

Paula sat. “It’s an exciting time for the club.”

“Very diplomatic.” Monica grinned. “Where did you get this gorgeous top?”

Paula looked down at her finely knitted jumper. It was black and flecked with pink, purple and mauve. It had felt wonderfully soft when she’d tried it on, and the drape was so subtle it didn’t look as if it would expand with her growing tummy but she knew it would.

“I found it in Adelaide. I couldn’t leave it in the shop once I’d tried it on.”

Monica rolled a piece of the sleeve between her fingers. “It’s wool with something synthetic to give it a little more stretch. I bet it set you back a dollar or two.”

“I’m married to a sheep farmer. I have to buy wool.” Paula made a wry face.

“That’s what we like to hear,” Monica said.

“This is beautiful.” It was Paula’s turn to admire the striking rust-and-black wrap draped around Monica’s shoulders. “Is it one of yours?”

“I have quite a collection. I get to keep my experiments and all those that don’t sell.”

“Didn’t you say you’ve got a market for them?”

“A boutique in Sydney. I have moderate success there.” She raised a glass of icy water in a mock toast. “And there’s Dara’s shop. Do you remember the jumper you sold for me when you first came to the district?”

“Of course.” Paula smiled. Selling one of Monica’s exquisite home-spun jumpers had been the catalyst for her business ideas for Dara and Chris.

“Since then I’ve made a couple more sales there.”

“That’s great news.”

“It certainly set us thinking. Rod’s trying to find me outlets in Adelaide and Melbourne now.”

“That sounds promising. I have to admit I didn’t look at labels much before I married Dan but I do now. He’s determined to develop very fine wool.”

“Rod tells me the sale was busy today. You got a good price for your ewes.”