Her heart was thumping against her ribs, but she attempted another smile. ‘No, Robert. No letters have been delivered here since the accident.’ She reached out for his hand and looked up at his stern face framed by his bristly beard. ‘What happened? Did you get off the train at Leuchars? I heard there was a gentleman who did. But why did you not come home?’

‘Why indeed.’ He pulled away his hand, stood up and began to pace up and down, by the side of the bed. He stroked his beard then sat down on the chair next to her bed. Good, less threatening, thought Ann. She could run to the door if necessary.

‘As you know, Ann, our marriage has been a sham, an unhappy union with only two happy consequences. Our children. I have been thinking for some time that I would venture far afield to start a new life and Australia was often in my mind. Tasmania is where I have contacts through the whale oil business.’

Ann began folding and unfolding the hem of her bed sheet with her fingers, nimble as the jute spinner she had been.

‘My intention was to travel there and begin a new life.’

‘A new life without your family?’ Ann attempted to sound calm though she wanted to shout and scream.

‘Well, of course I would have sent for you and the children later.’

Ann nodded, her icy blue eyes narrowing at this blatant lie.

‘What happened, however, was most unfortunate. I had never intended to travel on that ill-fated train and was horrified when I heard what had happened. I took the train from Ladybank after visiting Aunt Euphemia and thence to Edinburgh where I began the long journey to Liverpool, where I was meant to board the ship to Australia, to prepare a home and establish my work before sending for my family.’

‘Why did you not tell me?’

‘I wanted it to remain my little secret, to have everything ready for you over there then send for you.’

Liar, liar, liar! She continued twisting the hem of the sheet with increasing speed. ‘But that would have meant weeks with no word from you, Robert. Even if the train had not crashed, I would have believed you dead, the children too.’

‘Do not question me!’ he snapped, his voice loud.

‘Hush, Robert, you will disturb the children,’ said Ann, scolding herself for inflaming Robert’s temper. Though his excuses made no sense, she must go along with his lies.

‘So what happened, Robert? Why are you not on your way to Australia at this moment?’

‘During my journey south, I was taken hostage by some brigands and kept captive for three days until I eventually gave them all the money I had hidden in my portmanteau. Then, since I had nothing left, I had to wait there till I was able to secure funds for my return journey.’