Tilly swallowed. ‘I know. And he’s my husband in name only, now – whatever we had is over. I want nothing further to do with him.’ She stood up. ‘I’d better be getting back. Oh, I’ve just remembered. We were at the cave yesterday – Luke and Jane and I – and that box the snake was in?’ He nodded and she continued, ‘It’s gone. So somebody’s been back for it. And last night I just suddenly thought, what if the poachers are getting ready to catch another lot? It would explain taking the box. They could be coming back.’

Connor frowned and glanced behind him at the money. ‘It’s possible. I wish I wasn’t going – but I must. Look, try not to worry, Tilly. I’ll be back as quick as I can. Just be careful around Matt, eh? Forget this morning ever happened.’

‘I’ll be fine. You’re the one carrying the cash. God! What if you were robbed? It doesn’t happen much out here, but if it did! The baddie’d think he’d lucked onto a travelling bank.’

Connor laughed. ‘Not gonna happen.’ He was packing the tea-making utensils away as he spoke and zipping the tent flap closed. ‘I’ll head off then. But I’ll be back as soon as I can. Anybody asks, I’m busy chasing orchids in the wilds of Spadgers Creek.’

‘You’d better let Bruce Hansen know then,’ she suggested. ‘Matt’s leery of you, doesn’t totally believe in your botany. It’d be just like him to check, and he’s at the station often enough to do it, too. We get our meat from them, and our supplies are left there. It’s his job to fetch them.’

‘Good thinking. I’ll do that. Bye then, Tilly.’

‘Take care.’ When she’d reached her vehicle, she glanced back in time to see him heaving his swag into the back of his own. She hoped he treated the money less cavalierly, then, with the thought of facing Matt knowing what she now did, wished treacherously that he wasn’t going. Which was ridiculous. It wasn’t as if she would be alone with him – Sophie would be there, and Luke. She would just immerse herself in the details of her mother’s visit, she decided, talk about nothing else and make endless plans for when she arrived. And if Matt was in the habit of checking his hidden stash, then finding it gone should similarly occupy his thoughts until he wouldn’t notice if she were to paint herself blue.

Chapter Twenty-five