The rocks are another of my favourite places. I like swimming there, although I have to be careful not to scrape myself. The river made a new bed after the huge flood that swept the carving down. It’s shifted again lots of times since then. The weather is different, some scientists say. They’re talking about — what is it? — climate change, which I don’t really understand.

So there’s heaps of new things going on in our quiet little place. They’re not all good. I’ve heard stories how some gangs have been planting marijuana away up in the hills. Maybe that’s why those hoon cars are around? A couple of times, I’ve seen helicopters flying slowly up the valley; they look as if they’re searching. Mum shook her head one time when we were out in the garden, and a chopper smacked its way overhead. ‘Dopes growing dope!’ she muttered.

Just before Guy Fawkes Night last year, Mum and I were asleep when I half-heard this WHOOMPFF! from somewhere. I lay and listened. A car accident? Another earthquake? A bunch of cows deep-breathing?

I heard it again. WHOOMPFF! It was coming from down by the river.

Mum’s light blinked on. Cam and Sholto didn’t wake up, of course. ‘Mum?’ I called out. ‘Did you hear that?’

She came into my room. I could see her pulling on her dressing-gown.

‘I’ll take a look, love. Can’t imagine what it was.’

I was already sliding out of bed. ‘Can I come, too?’

Mum hesitated. ‘All right. But be careful, Maggie. I don’t want you falling over in the dark and bruising yourself.’

We stood on the back path. It was a clear, still night. The Southern Cross hung low and bright over the cemetery. Dad taught me all about the constellations, and I could see the curve of Scorpius the Scorpion setting on one side of the sky, while Orion the Hunter climbed up over the horizon. Our trees were dark shadows. A morepork called from somewhere; otherwise there wasn’t a sound. The world was silent and magic.

Mum walked to the back gate and stood looking towards the river. I joined her, moving carefully like she said, and felt her relax when I arrived. No more noises: what had they been?

After a couple of minutes, I shivered. Straightaway, Mum whipped me inside, made sure I was all right, and sent me back to bed. I felt disappointed; it had been so cool, standing outside with her under those glittering stars. Hey, I’d wait until she was asleep, then sneak out for another look. I closed my eyes to rest them for a minute while she dozed off. I opened my eyes a couple of minutes later, and the sun was glowing into my room.