‘I don’t know how you manage to make it all sound so funny,’ she said breathlessly. ‘Your family sound like monsters.’

‘They were, and some of them are still creating havoc, wherever they happen to be. I’m the only sane one in the whole bunch, and that’s why I’m so determined to make my life better than theirs. I plan to build a beautiful home on the Creek Manor estate, and I’ll try to make up for my family’s shortcomings by being a worthy lord of the manor. I’ve been footloose for so long, Judy. I need to make a success of this project.’

She met his intense gaze with a smile. ‘I understand how you feel. I suppose my life has been similar, in that I’ve never had a real home, at least not one what belonged to me or my family. You can’t imagine what Green Dragon Yard was like, and it was Daisy who rescued us from that place after Pa died. I was in service from the age of ten, although they were all very kind to me, so I can’t complain.’

‘No,’ he said seriously. ‘You never do, and that’s one of the things I admire about you. Jack Fox was a fool to let you go. He should have begged you to take him back.’

She recoiled with a start. ‘How did you know about that?’

‘It was quite obvious to someone who knows you well, and I think I do know you quite well by now.’

‘He’s returning to Australia with Jay. I haven’t seen Jack since Christmas, and I doubt if we’ll ever meet again.’

Rob toyed with the stem of his wineglass. ‘How do you feel about that?’

‘I realised that we were never meant to be together in the first place. It was a childish dream, and we were very young, but things are different when you grow up.’ She managed a watery smile. ‘Except that I don’t think Jack has ever matured, not really. He’s still a little boy who thinks he can have anything he wants, if he persists hard enough.’

‘Perhaps you ought to see him before he goes away.’

‘Why do you say that? What good would it do to open old wounds?’

‘Maybe you need to be certain that they are healed.’

‘Let’s not talk about it any more, Rob. I was enjoying myself until you mentioned Jack.’

‘I’m sorry. We’ll forget about him for now.’ Rob signalled to the waiter. ‘I’ll have the bill, please.’ He turned back to Judy with a teasing smile. ‘There are some really good shops near here. I haven’t forgotten about the new bonnet. I’m afraid I don’t like the one you’re wearing.’

Judy chuckled in spite of her raw emotions. ‘As a matter of fact I hate it, too. But Ma insists that it’s suitable for a girl of my age.’

‘You’re a beautiful woman, Judy. You should wear only the best. Allow me to indulge myself.’

‘Maybe I will. Just this once, of course, only don’t tell Ma.’