Sandra folded her arms tightly about her waist and glared in defiance.

Jane returned that glare, determined not to back down. When Sandra gave a deep sigh and padded back into the house, Jane knew she’d won this short tussle of wills. But she also knew it was just the start of what could be a long drawn-out battle – not made any easier by the fact that Hugh and Terence were away and the weather was unreliable. She could only pray there were no more emergencies, and that they both returned safely.

*

The heat had risen all morning and the clouds were dark and tinged with red from the dust that still floated in the breathless air. Becky had enlisted the help of Django’s brothers as well as Sarah’s sister and some of Mary’s older boys, and together they had shifted numerous wheelbarrows of sand from the floors and tipped them outside. No doubt it would be blown back in when the wind picked up, but that was just one of the vagaries of living out here and they were all inured to the inconvenience.

Becky had pulled the broad white blinds down over the verandas after Terry had driven away, and was sitting in the shade drinking a well-earned cup of tea when her mother appeared with a rather sullen-looking Sandra. ‘You timed that well,’ she said cheerfully. ‘We’ve just finished.’

Jane’s answering smile was wan. ‘I’m sure I’ve shifted enough of that stuff to earn one day off,’ she replied. ‘When are you going to visit Mary and her baby? Only I thought Sandra might like to go along with you. I’m assuming you’ll be running an eye clinic while you’re there.’

By the look on her face Becky wasn’t at all sure that Sandra wanted to do any such thing – or even if she wanted the woman with her, but she was careful not to let her doubts show. ‘I’d be glad of the help,’ she said instead. ‘We’ll be leaving in about half an hour.’ She looked back at her mother. ‘Have you seen Danny at all?’

‘He went out early to sort out Gwyneth’s animals,’ said Sandra, ‘and came back for breakfast. I haven’t seen him since.’

‘I saw him cycling past the house about two hours ago,’ said Jane. ‘He’s probably up at the caves, or with Billy at the shacks. I shouldn’t worry, Becky – he’ll be home the minute he gets hungry again.’

Becky accepted that her mother was probably right and, as Danny had been behaving like any other little boy since his birthday, she wasn’t unduly concerned. ‘Well, if you see him while we’re away, tell him Granny Gwyn has a couple of bob for him.’