Rebecca was dozing in the chair at Danny’s bedside when they were both startled awake by the deafening blare of car and utility horns outside.

Danny was out of bed and throwing open the shutters as she tried to clear the fog of exhaustion and sleep from her sluggish mind. ‘Look, Mum,’ he shouted. ‘They’re all coming back from the fire.’

Becky flew to the window, her pulse racing with relief and excitement. She looked out eagerly to discover that the rain had stopped, but the main street was awash and the long straggle of utilities, lorries, fire engines, bowsers, cars and horse-drawn wagons was splashing through the red mud. The danger was passed. Ben had come home.

‘Let’s go, Mum,’ said Danny as he tugged her hand. ‘I wanna see the parade.’

Becky ran with him to the veranda where the rest of the Morgan family had gathered with Amy and George to welcome the heroes home.

The men looked exhausted and bedraggled but, as the residents of Morgan’s Reach poured into the street to join in the celebration, it seemed their spirits were still high, for there were shouts of victory and the ringing of laughter as they were swamped by their friends and loved ones.

As the two boys ran out into the street, Becky put her arm round Amy and grinned in delight. ‘That’s what I call a real sight for sore eyes,’ she said, all tiredness banished.

‘It certainly is,’ Amy replied, her gaze trawling the length of the cavalcade until she caught sight of her father and brothers. She waved to them as her mother rushed to greet them, and then turned back to Rebecca.

‘Danny doesn’t seem to have come to any harm, despite his adventures. But is he really all right?’

Becky nodded. ‘He’s come through a sea change and is finally thinking more clearly. I have the mysterious John Miller to thank for that – and I wish he was here so I could thank him.’

Amy grinned. ‘I think there’s someone else who needs your attention more at this moment,’ she said, her expression mischievous. ‘Isn’t that Ben over there?’

Becky flew down the steps and up the street to where Ben had parked the fire truck and bowser outside the police house. She flung herself into his arms and almost knocked him off his feet as she smothered his black-streaked face in kisses.

‘Whoa there, Becky,’ he laughed. ‘Give a bloke a chance to catch his breath.’

They swayed, laughing in one another’s arms, heedless of the mud and of everyone around. ‘Welcome home, Ben,’ she said softly as his arms wrapped round her and he held her close.

‘Does this mean I’m allowed to kiss you in public now?’ he asked with a twinkle in his eye.