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‘Where are you both from?’ Maggie persisted. ‘That’s a pretty posh accent, Miska. Any lords or earls in your closet? Related to Harry?’

Miska’s laugh was pretty. ‘Sorry to disappoint you, Maggie. Just a normal childhood in a council flat in London.’

‘Zed?’

‘Born in Cornwall, but we moved to the States when I was a kid. I went back to the UK, and Miska and I met at uni. We’ve been together eight years. No children. No plans to have any. Both career people. That’s us done.’ Zed reached for his glass.

‘Okay, that’s enough, thanks,’ Maggie continued. ‘Clive and Jenny? Scotland, then?’

Jenny spoke as if by rote. ‘Only for a year. Married thirty-five years. Two kids. No grandkids. We’re both retired.’

‘Clive was an engineer. What about you, Jenny?’

‘I was in the police force. I was a detective when I retired.’

‘Ooh, we’d better all behave,’ Maggie said. ‘Speaking of which, Paul and Cecily, your turn.’

Paul had had a couple of drinks and his recent sullen expression had relaxed.

‘I’m an investment banker, and Cecily is a kept woman.’ His wife squealed and punched him lightly on the arm.

That explained a lot about Cecily’s spoiled attitude, Sandra thought.

‘And you live in the US or England?’

They looked at each other before Paul answered. ‘I’m about to retire. We haven’t decided yet.’

‘Ooh, lucky lovebirds. Honeymoon and then retirement.’

Sandra swallowed, getting her response ready.

Maggie turned to her and her expression was crafty. ‘So, a widow, Sandy?’

‘Yes.’

‘You must have been young.’

Sandra lifted her chin, determined not to give in to the anxiety that was uncurling in her stomach. ‘I was forty-five. But I had three wonderful girls to look after, and they became my rocks. Got me through a very hard time.’

Every head at the table was turned to Sandra and listening.

Miska smiled at her as if in support. ‘Was your husband ill? Did you nurse him?’

‘Perhaps it would be easier if we moved on and didn’t probe into private lives,’ Graysen said.

Sandra looked at him. ‘No. It’s fine.’ She was proud of how calm her voice was. ‘I’m not the boring person you seem to think, Maggie. You see, my husband, Peter, was murdered. It was a contract murder, set up by an industrialist who was trying to get the borders of Kakadu National Park changed. The wife of the Chief Magistrate of the Territory was kidnapped at the same time as part of a blackmail attempt, and my daughter crashed her helicopter when it was sabotaged. She was involved in the rescue operation.’

Sandra looked around the table; there was shock and sympathy on most of the faces staring at her. Her gaze finally settled on Maggie. ‘It took a long time for the truth to come out, and even longer for me to recover. I am doing this trek to prove to myself that I can.’

‘Bravo, Sandy.’ Miska’s voice was soft.

Cecily and Paul were looking at each other, and Jenny, who was sitting on her other side, reached over and squeezed Sandra’s hand.

Maggie went to speak, but Graysen interrupted her. ‘Thank you for sharing that, Sandy. I lost my wife a few years ago, but it was simply illness. Or I shouldn’t say, simply. I can still hear Marion telling me there’s nothing simple about breast cancer.’

Andrew had been standing at the door, and he gestured to someone outside. ‘Thanks for sharing your personal stories, everyone. Jodie has a fabulous curry ready for you. So, top up your water glasses. I’m used to Jodie’s curries, and you’ll need a drink. If you’re not a fan of spicy food, there’s an alternative out there. So, grab a bowl from the servery and make your way up to the veranda where it’s all set up for you.’

Chairs pushed back as the group made their way outside.