‘No, oh no, Peter,’ she swiftly assured him. ‘I would love to marry you but … Australia’s so far from home,’ she hurried on. ‘And I feel torn between you, Dad, Peggy and Ron. They’re the only family I have, you see, and I love them too.’

‘Just promise you’ll think about coming with me,’ he urged. ‘I do understand how difficult it will be for you to get used to a new way of life in a place that’s so very different to Cliffehaven. But my family will be your family, and I will love and cherish you for the rest of my days.’

Rita burst into tears, her heart and head doing battle as she flung her arms around his neck and kissed him. She knew that if she rejected him they would both end up with broken hearts – but how could she choose between him and the only family she’d ever known?

‘Queensland is God’s own country, Rita,’ he murmured, kissing away her tears. ‘There’s space to breathe in the Outback where the land has remained unchanged since the dawn of time and a man can be free to wander to his heart’s content. And on the coast there are tropical rainforests full of exotic birds, and beaches with fine white sand and palm trees, and a sea so blue it dazzles the eyes. You’ll love it, Rita,’ he whispered, ‘and you’re just the kind of girl who has the spirit of adventure to settle there.’

‘It all sounds wonderful,’ she replied, ‘and I promise I’ll think about it seriously. When Dad comes home, I’ll talk it over with him and see how he feels about me going all that way.’ She gave him a watery smile. ‘I might act as if I’m tough, but I’m really not that adventurous, Pete. I’ve never been further than the next town, and the thought of going to the other side of the world is quite terrifying.’

‘Your dad could come too,’ Peter said eagerly. ‘There’s always work out there for a good engineer who’s not afraid of putting in a hard day’s labour. My word,’ he breathed, ‘the sheep and cattle stations are always crying out for someone to mend their utes and farm machinery. He could make a fortune in no time.’

Rita loved his boyish enthusiasm, and felt bad about not encouraging him. ‘We’ll see what he has to say, Pete,’ she murmured against his lips.

‘I reckon I’ll have to be satisfied with that,’ he said, trying hard to dampen down his enthusiasm. ‘But in the meantime, darlin’,’ he pulled a small box from his overcoat pocket and opened it with a flourish, ‘would you wear this ring to seal the promise that you’ll consider marrying me?’