Cate came forward, brushing past him to join Ethan. To Flowers’ amazement, Ethan put his arm around her waist and drew her protectively against his side.

‘Oh! Okay, cool,’ Flowers said, some of the tension leaving his body. ‘So, you two are together?’

Cate nodded. ‘I’m so sorry we dragged you all the way down here. The weather wasn’t anywhere near as bad when I called.’

‘No worries, I’m smashing the snowshoeing now.’

Cate gave an embarrassed smile, and Flowers thought the corner of Ethan’s mouth twitched, though it could have been a reflection from the fire.

He moved closer to the heat, and the couple separated. ‘So, what is it you wanted to tell me?’ he said, though he could almost predict what she was going to say next.

‘Ethan was with me the night of Art’s plane crash. All night.’

‘Here?’

Cate’s eyes widened. ‘No, not here.’ She smiled at Ethan. ‘Although this was where we used to meet in the beginning, wasn’t it?’ She turned back to Flowers. ‘He was at my place in Jindabyne.’

‘Is there anyone else who can corroborate your story?’ Flowers asked.

Ethan shook his head. ‘No.’

‘Why bring me all the way down here to tell me this when I could have come into the shop?’

It was Ethan who answered. ‘Because I wanted to be here when Cate told you. No one else knows about our relationship yet.’

‘No one?’ Flowers raised his eyebrows and looked from one to the other. ‘How long have you been together?’

‘A couple of years,’ said Ethan.

‘Keeping that under wraps must take a bit of work.’ Flowers turned his back to the fire. ‘Does this have something to do with the old feud I keep hearing about?’

‘Yes,’ Ethan said, and Cate gave a solemn nod.

‘That’s strange, because everyone I’ve spoken to, including you, Cate, has insisted it’s ancient history, all forgotten.’

Ethan shoved his hands in his pockets. ‘Feuds down here last for generations,’ he said. ‘It’s never forgotten, especially when it’s about land.’

‘That’s why Ethan comes to me,’ Cate put in. ‘Jindabyne’s full of tourists and short-term accommodation. People are coming and going all the time. And the crowd up there are into adrenaline sports at the ski resorts. No one’s bothering about land feuds from years ago.’

Flowers raised his eyebrows. ‘So, you’ve never been to White Winter Station?’

Cate shook her head. ‘No, I’ve only seen photographs. Dad would drive past and show Lewis and I where he and Aunt Wendy lived when they were little. But you can’t see the house from the road.’

Ethan’s eyes met Cate’s and he gave her a sympathetic smile.