Penny laughed out loud. ‘Perhaps your days of being a writer are over and you can become a builder’s apprentice instead.’

He looked horrified. ‘I love you, my dear, but I don’t think I could countenance that.’

These were happy days for Penny, now that the threat over Rob had receded and her relationship with her father had vastly improved.

She had visited Rob in hospital and told him about everything that had been happening since the night of the party.

‘Lucky for me you’re stuck in bed so I can bore you senseless,’ she said. Though Rob wasn’t quite as amazed as she was about Arthur holding onto Ned’s collection.

‘Arthur’s no fool,’ he told her. ‘He would have understood exactly how much store your dad put in those records. He was obviously waiting for the time when Ned needed them back.’

But Penny realised now, it was she – not her father – who had truly needed them back. She was looking forward to going to Wally’s with Ned one day to get them. But at the moment, the timing wasn’t right.

She then continued to regale Rob with all the drama of her and Colin. ‘I’ve always doubted that people in love were really in love, do you know what I mean? I thought that they couldn’t possibly feel all that strongly. But now I know I was just waiting for the person who I could feel like that with.’ She hugged herself, grinning delightedly.

Rob had to smile. ‘I’m very happy for you, Penny. You deserve it.’

‘Everyone is,’ she said. ‘Dad thought I’d be an old spinster forever. And Colin gets on so well with everyone around here too. I wish you could be as happy as me, Rob.’

She saw him grimace and apologised. ‘I’m sorry, I said that without thinking as usual. I’m an eejit. I know that you would if you could be.’

‘Did Elle really visit me while I was unconscious?’ he asked hesitantly.

‘Every day.’

‘Then why hasn’t she been in since? I hope my mother hasn’t scared her off. Elle knows her bark is worse than her bite, and that never really bothered her.’

‘Well, she’s been busy with the hotel . . .’ Penny began haltingly, a little mystified by this herself. ‘To be honest Rob, I don’t honestly know. Elle is a mystery to me too. When you were unconscious, she couldn’t be kept away. But now that she knows you’re OK, I think she’s embarrassed. You know how Elle is about showing her feelings.’

‘Ah, it doesn’t matter,’ he said. ‘I should’ve learned enough by now not to hope for anything from Elle.’