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Dad’s going to need.’
    â€˜Of course, Belle. I’m not saying we shouldn’t do everything we can to help. I’m planning to give Virginia and Peter all the support I can.’
    Liz paused, frowning, as if she was choosing her words carefully. ‘I just want you to be aware . It’s easy to be caught up in everything at home. This might sound a bit callous, but when I’ve come back in the past I’ve found it helpful to have a kind of pre-planned exit strategy.’
    â€˜Mullinjim’s hardly Afghanistan, Liz.’
    But Bella didn’t have to think about this for very long before she realised it was sensible. Reassuring, too. ‘I guess I do have a kind of strategy in place. I’ve given my word to Anton that I’ll definitely be going back to France.’
    â€˜Have you now?’ Liz smiled and seemed pleased.
    Bella didn’t mention the gold chain and charm she’d left behind with Anton. Her sophisticated aunt would almost certainly think that was an overly romantic gesture.
    â€˜So, why don’t we make a pact?’ Liz asked.
    â€˜What kind of pact?’
    â€˜We’ll help in any way necessary for as long as it takes, but we’ll both fly back to Europe when this is over.’
    Bella smiled. ‘Sounds perfect.’
    To her dismay, as she said this, her thoughts shot straight to Gabe Mitchell. She had no idea why. When she’d shaken the outback dust from her heels, she’d known that Gabe was past tense.
    No. Longer. Part. Of. Her Life.
    â€˜You have a deal,’ she told her aunt, defiantly sealing their exit plan with a high five.

4.
    â€˜Gabe here, Luke. I’ve only just heard about Peter. I’m so sorry, mate. How’s he faring?’
    â€˜Things are looking slightly better now, thanks, Gabe. Dad’s off the ventilator. The medicos are saying it’s still touch and go, but we’re feeling more positive.’
    Gabe let out the breath he’d been holding. He knew firsthand what it was like to lose a father.
    Worst day of his life.
    The following months had been hell, too, and now, with a friend and neighbouring cattleman in ICU, he was reliving that horror stretch.
    â€˜How are things up your way?’ Luke asked. ‘Any sign of rain?’
    Gabe grimaced. ‘Not a spit.’
    â€˜Gotta come soon.’
    â€˜You’d think so. Country’s drying out. They’ve already had spot fires around Gidgee Springs.’
    Luke sighed heavily into the phone. ‘I should get up there, I know, but I’ve got to sort out a problem with work commitments.’
    Gabe refrained from adding to his mate’s worries by mentioning the firebreaks that needed clearing on Mullinjim.
    â€˜Has Bella arrived yet?’ The question rolled from his tongue as if he’d rehearsed it.
    â€˜Sure,’ Luke responded in his easy drawl. ‘Bella and Liz got in an hour ago. Flew straight from London. Pretty buggered after the flight, of course, but it’s great to see them. Bella’s in there with Dad now.’
    â€˜Peter will be pleased to see her.’
    â€˜Yeah. Rapt. You know how he’s always been about Belle.’
    â€˜Yeah . . . ’ Gabe cleared the brick that had lodged in his throat. ‘So . . . ah . . . tell her I said hi.’
    â€˜Sure. I’ll do that.’ There was the slightest hint of surprise and curiosity in Luke’s voice.
    Gabe gritted his teeth. ‘I’ll leave you to it then, Luke. I’m glad the news about Peter is better.’
    â€˜We’re keeping our fingers crossed. Thanks for the call. Keep in touch.’
    â€˜No worries.’
    Gabe dropped the phone and strode outside, needing air. He let the flyscreen door crash behind him.
    Tell her I said hi .
    Shit. Shit. How had that slipped out? In two years he’d barely heard from Bella. No phone calls or texts. No email.
    And that was fair enough