‘But here is the problem, don’t you see? You’re out all day and I’m cooped up in the homestead with nothing to do but go over and over things . . . Oh, don’t think I’m not grateful for the job,’ she hastened to add. ‘I am, Sophie, truly! Only now, knowing Gerry’s alive, and worrying about what he’s done—’

‘That’s his problem. He did it, not you. And having cost you everything, I don’t see why you should lose your job over it, or your accommodation,’ Sophie said sternly. ‘What you need is variety, Till. I should have seen it myself. Why don’t you think seriously about becoming a ranger? I mean it, girl. Doing the stuff Luke and I do. You’re halfway there already – you know the bush, you can drive, handle sick animals, you’ve done your first-aid courses. Also you’ve learnt the birds, and can name quite a number of the trees. It’s not a bad job. There’s good tenure, the pay’s not great but it’s more than you’re drawing now, and you get to wear this fancy shirt.’ She plucked at her own khaki model with its stylised sugar glider on the breast pocket, surmounted by the capital letters WPA. ‘You could start today, Tilly. Make your lunch and go with Luke – he can mentor you. Best that I don’t, because of our relationship, so that later on there can be no question about your qualifications. Then I’ll inform head office that they’ve got themselves a new recruit.’

‘But what if they don’t . . . I mean, you run things here, but can you just take on someone like that?’

Sophie nodded. ‘The company’s actively looking for new people at the moment – they’ve been advertising for expressions of interest for the past three months. Anyway, why wouldn’t they want you? There aren’t too many women willing to take on the job. So, do you fancy the change?’

‘Yes, but . . . What about my current work? Won’t we still need a housekeeper? Who’s going to take the camping fees and keep the logbook and do the cooking and washing?’ she blurted.

‘We’ll just go back to how we were before you came. Everybody takes turns, including you. So you’ll have three days in the field getting your hands dirty and one at home cooking and feeding animals and logging the campers in and out. You’ll be so busy you won’t have time to worry about what Gerry’s up to.’

‘And you really believe I could do it?’ Tilly asked doubtfully.