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‘You have a great time, and stay safe, Mum.’

Sandra blinked away the tears that threatened. ‘And you, my lovely girls, you all take care of yourselves.’

Ellie rolled her eyes. ‘You’ll be back in three weeks, Mum.’

‘Ring us before you leave on the trek. What day was it again?’ Emma asked.

‘I have three days in Alice Springs at Lasseter’s Resort and then I join the trek on Wednesday. It’s all in the itinerary that I emailed to each of you. Print it out and put it on your fridge. Phone numbers, contact people, plus the emergency satellite phone number for the guide if you have an emergency. But only in a dire emergency. I’ll call you as soon as I get back to the hotel after the trek.’

Emma lined up for her hug, and then Ellie.

‘Take care, Mum, and have a wonderful time.’

When Sandra reached the air bridge, she turned and smiled at her girls and her grandson. ‘Love you all,’ she mouthed.

She would miss them all so much, but she was determined to have a wonderful time.

***

Graysen hurried across the tarmac to the terminal at Alice Springs. He’d managed to avoid that couple in Sydney, but he’d heard her and that plummy accent a couple of seats behind him on the short flight. Rude and demanding, and as hard as nails.

He slid his backpack off his shoulder as he waited for a box of camera gear to come onto the carousel. He’d left the new lenses in the boxes for the trip; Phil and David had packed it very carefully for him. The flight had been full and there was a crowd three deep beside the baggage conveyor belt. Eventually, with a loud jerking noise. the carousel began to move and luggage came through the rubber flaps. A pair of hot pink suitcases were the first to appear and Graysen was not a bit surprised when Paul stepped forward and swung them off the carousel. He put them over next to his wife, and then moved back to wait for more.

Probably full of her designer clothes and nail polish and new shoes, Graysen thought uncharitably.

He shook the thought off. He didn’t usually let people bother him.

Live and let live had been Marion’s mantra. She would have been surprised at his reaction to the obnoxious woman.

‘Excuse me.’ A quiet voice came from behind as a petite woman tried to get through the crowd to get her luggage.

‘Sorry.’ Graysen stepped to the side and watched as she tried to reach a large suitcase on the moving conveyor belt. It was wedged behind another suitcase on the inside of the carousel, and just out of her reach.

He stepped forward. ‘Let me.’

‘Thank you.’ Her smile was warm. ‘I’m not used to this.’

The suitcase wasn’t heavy and he placed it on the tiles beside her, keeping an eye out for his camera gear.

‘Many more?’ he asked.

‘Just one small, soft bag to come through. I’ll be fine now. Thanks very much for your help.’

‘My pleasure,’ he said.

She smiled shyly and stepped back with her case beside her. He glanced at her curiously. She was a total opposite to the English woman who’d pushed his buttons.

Quiet and polite, she was an attractive woman. Middle-aged, but her skin was flawless and even in the short interaction they’d had, her eyes had sparkled with warmth. She reminded him a little of Janette. Not in looks, but with her kind and unassuming personality.

A good person.

She was obviously alone, and like him, not being met by anyone. Chatter filled the terminal as passengers were met by family and friends.

He spotted his box come through the flaps and waited until it came around to his side before he stepped forward to retrieve it. At the same time, the woman beside him stepped forward, but their collision was gentle.

‘I’m so sorry,’ she said as she moved away from Graysen and he picked up his box. ‘I told you I’m not experienced at this. I guess there’s a carousel etiquette.’

He nodded but tempered his lack of response with a smile. By the time he had picked up his box and backpack, she’d gone.