Each day started as a clean slate but was soon filled with her regular beach trips, chatting with other campers and reading, and sometimes, when Rosie wasn’t busy, she took Natalie off for little tours. Yesterday they’d gone to Cygnet Bay to the pearl farm. The days here rolled on so casually and Natalie went with them; not making plans, taking each moment as it came. There were no alarms or bells, appointments to keep or lessons to plan; no-one to feed or take care of but herself. It was complete decadence in comparison to the frantic, busy life she lived at home…and yet she felt restless.

She gripped her coffee mug in her hands, stretched her legs, closed her eyes and tilted her face to the sun trying to reclaim the sense of freedom the early-morning calm usually bestowed on her.

Her phone rang, startling her. She dumped the mug, plucked her mobile from the table and saw Milt’s picture. She did a quick calculation as she jabbed accept and put the phone to her ear; seven-thirty here would make it nine o’clock at home. Usually he’d be outside working on a Thursday at this time.

“Milt?”

“Hello, Nat.”

Her stomach lurched. “Is something wrong?”

“No.”

“We usually speak at night.”

“I know but I haven’t heard from you since last Saturday. There are things we have to deal with. This Connie stuff has to be sorted. I’ll have to change some paperwork for the farm. It’ll need your signature…and there are other things…Jack—”

“I can’t, Milt. I’m still not ready.”

There was a pause. “I wondered how much longer you’re planning on staying.”

She let out a sigh of annoyance. His call had frightened her but it seemed there was no real news. “I don’t know but I’m not ready to leave yet.”

“So you’re still up on the peninsula?”

“Yes.”

“It’s just that originally we thought you were going to Brisbane.” Once again a pause. “You could be anywhere.”

“Well, I’m not just anywhere. I’m enjoying life in this community and I’m staying for a while longer.” She was sharp, deflecting him.

“Okay,” he said. “I love you.”

Natalie looked at her phone. He’d rung off. When was the last time he’d told her he loved her? When had she said it to him? She gripped her head and groaned.

And at that moment Rosie stepped around the corner of the cabin.

She eyed Natalie a moment before she spoke. “I came to see if you wanted to go on another fishing trip.”

“That’d be great.” Anything to clear her thoughts. “I’d love some more fresh fish.” They’d gone to the supermarket again yesterday after their trip to the pearl farm. She’d topped up her supplies but she hadn’t bought much meat.