Tracey had popped out to, in her words, ‘smash and grab the sale rails’, leaving Bonnie alone to finish her story. And she really must finish it today – she had already encroached on too much of Tracey’s time and hospitality – and she was missing Tui – and home – with an ache that had begun to keep her awake at night.

Pulling her notepad across her folded knees, Bonnie continued to write.