‘I don’t see why you should even try,’ Sophie said bluntly. ‘I wouldn’t. There was something – I don’t know – facile about Gerry. You want the truth? I never liked him. He was always too smooth, too accommodating, like nothing really mattered enough to him for it to be worth his knuckling down and scrapping for it. That’s not how life works. Not as I know it, anyway. You’ve got to do the hard yards – in a job, a relationship, anything. You don’t get to skim over stuff and just select the easy bits.’ She touched Tilly’s hand, saying slowly, ‘I don’t want to hurt you, love, but when I learnt he was alive, I wasn’t all that surprised. Little Francie died, but sooner than face up to that, and you – and I suppose his creditors – he just made himself scarce. Typical of the behaviour I’d seen in him.’

Tilly looked surprised. ‘You never said.’

‘No, well, he was your pick, and I didn’t see that much of either of you, remember.’

‘So you think it’s okay that I fancy Connor?’

‘God, yes! Not that it’s anything to do with me, or anyone else. You fancy the pants off whoever you want. He seems a decent bloke, if a bit on the sneaky side, but the sort to stick, if this job he’s on is any yardstick. Do you think he fancies you back?’

Tilly blushed. ‘I do, a bit. And I really like him, Sophie. He’s clever and kind, and thoughtful – and not bad looking either.’

Her cousin rolled her eyes. ‘Dear Lord! First Luke and now you.’ She dropped the banter. ‘Seriously? I’m pleased for you, Till. You’re overdue a bit of happiness, and you don’t owe that husband of yours a second thought.’

Tilly nodded and sighed out a little breath, adding inconsequentially, ‘Mum’ll be here in a few days.’

‘Will you introduce them to each other?’

‘I was thinking about that. I . . . Oh my God! The biscuits!’ She dashed to the stove, where a curl of smoke was issuing from the oven and the question remained unanswered.

The following Wednesday, Tilly was at the airstrip to meet her mother. As the pilot gave her a hand down from the plane, Elaine Williams thanked him, then gave herself a little shake as if to confirm her feet were back on solid ground and opened her arms to her daughter. ‘Tilly! You look well, love. It’s such a treat to finally be here. My, it’s warm isn’t it?’

‘Yes, the days are lovely here now,’ Tilly agreed. ‘I’m so glad you’ve come. It’s a long way. How was your trip?’

‘That was my first small plane.’ Elaine shuddered. ‘I think I like them bigger.’ She lowered her voice. ‘Back in Darwin, there was a girl flying one of them.’