‘Not a bad place to feel at home in,’ Patrick observed. It really was beautiful. I hadn’t even had time to pick up a guide book for the trip, and my knowledge of Australia was limited, pitifully, to having watched Neighbours after school growing up. It was greener than I’d assumed, with huge leafy trees swaying contentedly in the breeze, and grassy banks and gardens and parks so luscious and verdant it was like looking through a filter.

‘So what’s the trip really for?’ Bianca asked, when she caught Patrick and I smile at each other through the rear-view mirror. ‘You’re booked into the best villa in the hotel. It’s really good. Stunning.’

I didn’t even need to look at Patrick to know what his face said. I knew he’d be looking delighted and jiggle his features at the mention of the fanciest villa. He was so excitable. So enthused by every piece of good news – and the good news really was endless, it seemed.

‘We’re here to celebrate the very essence of being alive,’ Patrick said to her, his voice sing-song and happy.

He made Bianca laugh almost as much as he did me. ‘Aren’t you just full of the happiness of spring?’ she giggled. She looked between us in the rear-view again. ‘It’s nice to see people so content.’

‘Only way to be,’ Patrick replied. ‘Isn’t that right, Annie?’

I shook my head at him teasingly and went back to looking out of the window. Australia. Half a world and a universe away.

‘I’ll get the truth out of you sooner or later,’ Bianca warned. ‘MI6 my arse. You two have got a story. I just know you have.’