‘No, I haven’t. Armando’s parents are sending him back to Italy because they are afraid he’s falling in love with me and they want him to marry an Italian girl.’

‘Well, you seem to have been seeing a lot of James Breckenridge.’

‘That’s finished too. His mother came to see me and told me I’m damaging his career prospects. I’ve got no one now except you. Please, please Gus. Don’t go!’

‘Then come with me. Why not? We could set up home together and you could start your own millinery business. Ladies in Melbourne need hats, just like they do here. I could still get you on board.’

‘I can’t!’ The words came out as a sob. ‘Don’t you see? I’ve still got a year of my apprenticeship to run. I agreed to the terms and I can’t go back on them now.’

‘Ask Mr Freeman. He’ll probably let you off.’

‘No, I couldn’t do that. He relies on me. I know I’m the apprentice, but Nan doesn’t do much of the work now. You’ve seen how she is these days. Mr Freeman has been so good to me; I can’t let him down. And Nan needs me too. She’s been as good as a mother to me but now – well she needs looking after. I can’t leave her.’

‘Well, that’s it, then.’

‘Why don’t you wait a year? I’ll be free then and we could go together. You could hang on for a year, couldn’t you?’

‘No, I can’t. I’ve signed on for this voyage. I’m committed.’

A thought struck May. ‘It’s this Kitty that’s put the idea into your head, isn’t it?’

He blushed slightly. ‘Partly. I do like her, and I don’t want to lose touch. But it’s not just that. I can’t see any prospects for me here, May. I don’t want to be a clerk all my life. I’ve been thinking of going to Australia for a while now.’

She sat back and rubbed her tear-stained face. ‘Then I suppose that’s it. I’ll have to cope on my own. I’ve done it before, so I can do it again.’

‘You could come out and join me in a year, when your apprenticeship is up. How about that?’

‘I don’t know. Maybe. I’ll have to think about it.’

‘Yes, do that! It’s the perfect answer. You’ll love Australia, May. Please say you’ll come.’

‘I’ve said I’ll think about it.’ She got up from the table. ‘I’m tired. I think I’ll go up to bed.’ Then as an afterthought, ‘When are you sailing?’

‘Sunday.’

‘This Sunday?’

‘Yes. Half an hour after noon.’

She leaned wearily on the banisters. ‘I suppose I’d better come and see you off.’