Sophie shook her head. ‘Lord, the things that go on.’ She sniffed. ‘Something smells wonderful – what’s for dinner?’

The following morning, Graeme entered the kitchen to find Tilly staring through the binoculars at the bird basin. She looked up and beckoned, saying quietly, ‘Quick, come look. Gouldians. It’s the second time in a month that I’ve seen them.’

He took the glasses. ‘Oh, wow! Isn’t that something. Whose idea was the basin?’

‘Luke’s, of course.’

‘That figures. Sophie said he was keen on birds. The finches certainly like it. Man, I can see some crimson, some double-bars, and long tails . . . And those two. You can hardly believe they’re real, can you? Such colour.’

‘Oh, Binboona can turn it on.’ Tilly spoke eagerly. ‘We had the cutest little sugar glider a while back. Very weak and covered with ticks. I’d never seen a real one before. We were able to nurse him back to health, which was very rewarding. And there’s Harry the brolga, and the joeys . . . Have you seen Luke’s black cocky chicks?’

He spoke with the glasses still to his eyes. ‘Not yet. So, why did you decide to become a ranger, Tilly?’

‘It’s an interesting job. And worthwhile – I like doing something, however small, to help the environment. And I love the tranquillity of the place. Oh, the climate’s extreme but it’s very beautiful country. It’s become home to me.’ She smiled. ‘I’m a transplanted southerner, you know. Once we discover the north, I doubt we ever leave.’

‘Ah, they’ve gone.’ Graeme lowered the binoculars. ‘Never mind, I understand we’re going bird-watching today. I envy you, Tilly, with all this for a backyard.’ A circular sweep of his arm took in the open slope to the timber-fringed river bank with the sparkle of water beyond. ‘It’s a bit different to the city.’

‘It’s certainly that,’ she said. ‘How are you getting back to Darwin, Graeme?’

‘I’ll fly out tomorrow on the mail plane. Then I’m heading across to Halls Creek. The company has a property there. Thank God for aviation, eh?’

‘Better than bulldusty roads,’ Tilly agreed. ‘Breakfast is ready when you are.’

Later in the day when Luke and Graeme had left, with Sophie on camp duties and Matt occupied with something in the shed, Connor returned. Tilly was again in the garden, watering this time, and turned off the hose at his approach.

‘How’s it going?’ she asked. ‘Did you get your errand done?’

‘Hi, Tilly.’ He ran an eye over the vegetable plot. ‘You’ve certainly got a green thumb. That all looks good enough to eat.’

She laughed. ‘Vegetables are meant to, or what’s the point? But no special credit is due. Everything grows up here, and there’re no pests. I haven’t seen a cabbage moth in two years. Would you like some greens? There’s plenty to share.’