Chapters (50)
- Cover
- About the Book
- Dedication
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-one
- Twenty-two
- Twenty-three
- Twenty-four
- Twenty-five
- Twenty-six
- Twenty-seven
- Twenty-eight
- Twenty-nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-one
- Thirty-two
- Thirty-three
- Thirty-four
- Thirty-five
- Thirty-six
- Thirty-seven
- Thirty-eight
- Thirty-nine
- Acknowledgements
- About the Author
- Also by Sandie Docker
- Book Club Questions
- Welcome to the Kookaburra Creek Café
- Prologue
- One
- Sign up to Read More and discover new favourites
The ache in her shoulders soon became too much to bear and she finally decided to put her tools down and take a long, hot shower.
Afterwards, under soft lamplight, Nicole curled up on the old floral sofa in the living room. With her dressing-gown wrapped tightly around her, she ticked off her to-do list for the day. Buy ladder, check. Finish cleaning the walls, check. Read Ivy’s next letter.
Nicole sipped on her cup of tea and broke the wax seal of the next envelope. A tingle of excitement bubbled through her.
19th March, 1941
My Dearest Tom,
Your gift arrived today and with it a swelling of joy in my heart. Our little one will have the spinning top his father crafted from the branch of an olive tree so far from home.
Nicole ran into the kitchen and took the spinning top out of the cupboard. Was this it? Any lingering doubts she had about reading a stranger’s thoughts dissolved. This was going to be her next great read.
In answer to your question, yes, I suppose we must consider the possibility you suggest, and I do believe that if I am indeed carrying a girl, you would spoil her rotten. I am certain it is a boy, and will still try to steer you towards Charles, but I will indulge you. Briefly. How do you feel about the name Charlotte?
I have placed the spinning top on the mantle above the fireplace, next to the picture of you. Right as I placed it there, I felt the baby move for the very first time. I believe he recognised his father.
When I travelled to see Father in Sydney last week, I found the most delightful wallpaper – pink and blue panels with little toy soldiers and bouncing balls and blocks in red and blue and green. I have begun work on the nursery, hanging two walls already and I shall complete the third today. It is keeping me busy and distracted from thinking about the atrocities you are surely surrounded by. I pretend each day you are here beside me, helping me ready the room for our little arrival.
There are whispers that Japan’s threat closer to home is escalating and troops may be recalled. Perhaps, my love, you will be on home soil sooner than expected, even if not home with me.
Oh, my. Your son just gave me an almighty kick. He knows I am writing to you and says hello.