He closed his eyes. The answers to all the things that plagued him would not be found among the lime-green fronds – or in the muddled mind of an exhausted man. Perhaps after a good sleep he would be able to think more clearly about his future.

*

Darkness fell swiftly in the Outback, and although it was barely six o’clock, Becky had turned on the lights in the ward and closed the shutters. She had been distracted since Ben had brought Danny home, and it seemed her patients had noticed this, for after failing to engage her in the usual round of gossip, they’d left her alone.

Worrying about Danny was giving her a headache and, as it was hard enough to concentrate on anything in this awful heat, she turned her attention to the practicalities of tidying the linen cupboard and writing up her patient notes.

She had just closed the last folder when her mother came into the ward. Becky rose from her chair and stretched. ‘Everyone’s settled for the night,’ she said, ‘but they’re all complaining of this heat.’

Jane smiled and took the notes. ‘There’s nothing we can do about that, but pray the storm will break,’ she replied softly. ‘Now, you get back to that boy of yours. Just don’t disturb your father. He’s snoring fit to bust on the back veranda.’

Becky nodded and reluctantly gathered up her book and knitting, for she knew the day was far from over, and that she had to have a long and serious talk with her son before she could get to bed. ‘How is Danny?’

‘He’s still sulking and refusing to have a wash or get changed for bed. I left him to stew.’

Becky sighed. ‘I’ll see you in the morning then, but if there’s an emergency…’

‘I know where you are, and I’m sure we can both cope without your dad for one night. Now shoo. I promised to read Mrs Philips the last instalment of her Agatha Christie murder mystery.’

Becky kissed her mother goodnight and ambled out into the stifling heat of a stifling evening. The thunder was still distant, but it rolled relentlessly as the sky flickered with flashes of lightning and ominous clouds hid the moon and the stars. The air was charged with electricity and carried the scent of sun-baked dust and dying pastures from the great heart of the Outback.

Becky glanced across at Granny Gwyn’s house and waved to the figure sitting in the deep shadows of her screened porch. Granny loved storms, but she also loved keeping an eye on everyone, and that dark corner was a perfect lookout.