‘Indeed. Don’t let me disturb your day.’ He ducked his head and strode off, his hands in his pockets and his eyes scanning the crowd. He reminded Adelaide of a bird of prey, watching and waiting.

‘I’m going to watch Danny in the egg and spoon race,’ she said.

The day was pleasantly warm without the searing heat that would have made outdoor activities unpleasant. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Amos and Netty had stopped dancing and were sitting together on a wooden log, too close for propriety, their heads bent together, talking.

Caleb followed her gaze. ‘How long have those two been keeping company?’

Adelaide sighed. ‘They’ve been stepping out together for years now. I have no doubt Amos will get around to asking for Netty’s hand sometime soon.’

He nodded. ‘You and Netty go back a way?’

Adelaide nodded. ‘Since I was a girl. Netty … Netty has been with me forever. She’s a friend. My only friend.’

Danny waved to his mother as Mrs Mackie, the organiser of the race, handed him the spoon and hard-boiled egg and ushered the children into a line.

‘On your marks, get set, GO!’ Mrs Mackie dropped her handkerchief and the children hurried forward, spoons held out in front of them.

‘Go, Danny!’ Caleb yelled as Danny passed them, almost in the lead, his brow furrowed in concentration. At the sound of his name, the boy’s mouth twitched into a smile and the egg on his spoon wobbled but didn’t fall. The distance between Danny and the boy leading the race closed and, just two yards from the finish line, the leader dropped his egg. Adelaide and Caleb cheered loudly as Danny crossed the line, egg still attached to the spoon.

Will Penrose joined them. ‘Enjoying our simple pleasures?’

‘It is a fine day for a picnic and felicitations of the New Year to you, Penrose,’ Caleb replied.

‘Was that young Daniel who took out the last race?’

‘It was indeed,’ Adelaide replied.

‘Mrs Greaves, how are you this fine day?’ Penrose had been joined by an older man, the mine manager, Charles Cowper.

‘Well, thank you, Mr Cowper,’ Adelaide responded and Penrose introduced his uncle to Caleb. The two men shook hands.

‘William tells me you have a gold claim up at Pretty Sally,’ Cowper said.

Adelaide did not miss the sharp glance Caleb shot Penrose. He turned to the mine manager with a dismissive shrug. ‘I won it in a two-up game,’ he said. ‘I doubt it’s up to much, but I thought I should come see it.’

Cowper stroked his moustache. ‘These enterprises need capital, Mr Hunt.’

‘So it seems,’ Caleb said. He nodded in the direction of the Maiden’s Creek Mine. ‘Quite an operation you have going up there.’