‘I just wanted to make sure you were okay.’ The wheezing from his chest, the coughing all night, had concerned her.

‘Of course I am. I don’t need a babysitter.’

‘You do look better this morning.’

‘Of course I do. Go wait outside. I’ve got something to give you, but you’re not bloody watching me get dressed.’

Nicole hovered by the door to the boatshed, listening for any signs of a fall, or anything wrong at all.

‘Good God.’ Charlie pushed her aside as he opened the door. ‘Give a man some room.’

Nicole backed off.

‘Here.’ He pulled an envelope out of his back pocket. It was the same size and shape as the envelope he’d given her to post a few days ago. ‘I need you to post this for me.’

It was addressed to the same Mr A.W. Dixon in Sydney as the first envelope and the name seemed vaguely familiar to Nicole, but she couldn’t place it.

‘Today.’

‘Soon as the post office opens.’ Nicole touched his arm in reassurance.

‘You can leave now.’

‘I don’t know. Maybe I should stay for the day.’ Nicole smiled.

‘God save me.’ Charlie shook his head. He glanced at the envelope in Nicole’s hands.

‘All right, I’ll head off, then. This thing won’t post itself!’ She waved it in the air.

‘Thank you.’

‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’

‘Tomorrow?’ Charlie furrowed his wrinkled brow. ‘Have I got to put up with you tomorrow, too?’

‘Afraid so.’ Nicole smiled sweetly. ‘Lucky you.’

She kissed him on the cheek.

‘Anything I can do before I go, Charlie?’

‘Promise you won’t be back before next Sunday.’ A smile broke through his grumpy facade.

‘I don’t make promises I can’t keep.’ She waved as she headed up the path.

It was still another half-hour before the post office opened, so Nicole walked back up the path to the cottage. She sat on the verandah with Ivy’s box.

15th January, 1973

My Dearest Tom,

I have spent the last few days sleeping on an armchair in the boatshed and my back is so terribly sore. As is my neck. I find it painful to sit here and write, though I feel compelled to keep going.

I went down there on Thursday morning for our usual chat, and a cup of tea, but I was not prepared for what I found.

Charlie was not waiting for me on your bench, which was strange, and I heard a noise coming from inside the boatshed. I walked round to the door and it was ajar. I had not noticed that when I arrived. I called out his name and was met with an incoherent mumble. I was most concerned, so I went inside.