His voice is so clear it’s hard to believe how many miles there are between us.

‘What happened?’

He grunts. ‘Turned out the guys I hooked up with didn’t own the land but leased it last year. This was their second season, but they began mining before the new contract had been agreed and signed. A truck full of men turned up and shots were fired. It’s pretty rough territory and isolated. One minute everyone was working and the next it was like a war had broken out. It wasn’t what we signed up for, that’s for sure.’

I close my eyes, grateful that at least he’s in one piece.

‘You said we?’

‘Oh. Yes. I’m travelling with new friends called Eddie and Joss, now. Eddie’s been backpacking for a couple of years, but Joss was the cook at the mine.’

Joss. She must be the woman in the photo.

‘Well, I’m just glad to know you got away without getting hurt – I don’t want you putting yourself in danger. At least you now have companions and there is safety in numbers. I don’t like to think of you going it alone, Aiden, and this incident proves that you must be vigilant at all times. What are you planning next?’

Someone calls his name in the distance and he shouts out, ‘Okay. I’m there.’ Then he says, ‘Look, babe, I’ve gotta go. We need to sort a place to stay tonight and it’s late. I love you and I miss you. Even more so now that I’ve heard your voice. Take care and I’ll be in touch when I know where I’m going from here. Bye.’

I quickly blurt out, ‘Love you, too,’ but I don’t think he heard me. ‘And I’m fine. Really. Thank you for asking,’ I mutter as I make my way back down to the barn. ‘France might not be as scary as an opal mine,’ I continue through gritted teeth, ‘but there are still surprises coming at me from every turn.’

‘Are you too tired from your hard afternoon to take a stroll with me down to the lake?’

Patricia catches me gazing into thin air. My head is trying to deal with a wide range of thoughts that seem to be bombarding me from every angle.

‘No, not at all. Just a bit achy in a few places. I’m discovering muscles I didn’t know I had,’ I admit.

Pushing back on the chair, I quickly scoop up my plate, mug and cutlery. Placing them on the trolley, I pick up my phone and follow Patricia outside.

‘You were deep in thought and frowning. I wondered if you wanted to talk about whatever it is that’s troubling you,’ she enquires as we amble out across the courtyard.