‘Not sure,’ Ali said. ‘If I knew that I guess I would’ve written it sooner.’ This was meant to be funny, but as soon as the words came out she knew it only sounded rude. ‘No, seriously,’ she went on, trying to redeem herself, ‘I suppose it tells some truths about Australian life, about our collective past. And it’s accessible, but also thought-provoking; at least that’s what I was aiming for. It reflects a lot of the preoccupations of right-thinking Australians.’

‘The plight of the indigenous people, you mean?’

‘Among other things, yes, and I’ve plenty to say about that, but it’s poverty that my story addresses, and although that’s predominantly and historically a black issue, it can cripple white people too, especially in rural parts of South Australia, and I don’t know how much you know about the state, but the rural parts are vast-beyond-vast. We have a cattle station here that’s bigger than Wales, if that helps paint the picture.’

‘It does indeed, the mind boggles. And how much research did you have to do? It’s such a multi-layered book, perhaps that’s why it appeals to such a diverse readership.’

‘Thanks, yes, I hope it does. I did heaps of research for some aspects of it, not much at all for others. The music, for example, the young Aboriginal singer, I had her in my head and ready to go.’

‘She’s a wonderful character. Is she real?’

‘Yes, and no,’ Ali said. ‘Like most aspects of the book.’

‘Well, I couldn’t put it down,’ Jenni Murray said. ‘You’ve written a fascinating novel, and as I travelled into London by train this week, I saw so many people reading it.’

‘I guess the rest of the world must be more interested in Oz than we realised,’ Ali said. ‘Also, it’s set in Adelaide, and people don’t hear so much about this city. I think that maybe makes the book different, and appealing.’

‘Because Adelaide is different and appealing?’

‘Yes, I think so. We get a lot of stick from Sydney and Melbourne for being boring, but I reckon that’s sour grapes. To me, it’s always seemed a kind of paradise,’ Ali said.

‘Gosh, praise indeed!’ But because this wasn’t a question, Ali said nothing, so Jenni Murray filled the silence. ‘You’ve lived in Adelaide for thirty years or so, but of course, you’re a Sheffield lass by birth?’

‘Yes,’ Ali said. ‘Correct.’

‘And how have the people back home reacted to your success?’

‘Home?’ Ali said.

‘I beg your pardon – I mean, in Sheffield, in Attercliffe?’

‘Oh,’ Ali said flatly. She hesitated, then said, ‘I don’t know. I mean, I’m not in touch with anyone there, not any more.’

‘Family?’

‘Nope.’

‘So Adelaide really is home, in every sense?’

‘Yep, one hundred per cent.’