You speak with great authority on the subject yourself.’

The lady’s lips turned white. ‘And what is that supposed to mean?’

‘Why ma’am,’ innocently, ‘I was agreeing with you, just. Nae more than that.’

The coach drew to a stop amid a chorus of yells from the coachman and his mate. The creaking and rocking at last were still. One by one, muscles and bones protesting after such a long journey, the passengers alighted into what was to be their future.

TWO

The group found themselves standing before a long, plain building where several men were waiting, most of them tall and heavily bearded, with sunburnt faces beneath big-brimmed hats that shaded their eyes from the sun.

The two parties eyed each other.

A market, Lorna thought indignantly. All this way and they look at us like we’re a bunch of cattle.

One of the tall men strolled towards them. She felt Andrew’s body tense and squeezed his arm quickly.

‘Lookin’ for work?’

‘We are that,’ Andrew said, and held out his hand.

They shook. The farmer’s hand was dark brown and a lot harder-looking than Andrew’s. ‘Gavin Henderson,’ the man introduced himself in a flat drawl. ‘Gotta run a few miles out of town. What’s your name, mate?’

‘Andrew McLachlan. This is my wife Lorna.’

The tall man cast a brief glance at her. ‘G’day.’ But he was more interested in Andrew. ‘Worked on a farm before, have you?’

Andrew said, ‘I worked on my uncle’s place in Scotland, a year or two yon. He ran cattle on it. Since then, I’ve had my ain business.’

‘What sort of business?’ The man’s eyes were grey, with white sun wrinkles radiating from the corners.

‘Small goods.’

‘Why’d you come here?’

‘To get ahead. There’s mair chance o’ that here than i’ Scotland.’

The man grunted. ‘Not wrong there. Worked with sheep, have you?’

There was a moment’s silence before Andrew replied, ‘Never.’

‘At least you’re honest.’ Eyes thoughtful, he scratched the tip of one ear with his crop. ‘Done much riding?’

‘Aye.’

The squatter pondered. ‘Never worked with sheep, you say. Fancy the look of you, though, that’s the truth of it. Want a married man, too.’ He made up his mind. ‘Right. I’ll give you a go. Ten shilling a week and all found. How does that sound?’

Andrew did not hesitate. ‘That’ll be fine.’

Henderson cautioned, ‘Make a mess of it an’ you’re out, mind.’

‘We’ll no’ make a mess of it.’

‘Be sure you don’t.’

They walked side by side along the rutted track between the wooden shacks that were all the town had to offer in the way of buildings. If this is the town, thought Lorna, what will it be like in the country?

A dray drawn by oxen and piled high with farming implements creaked past. A boy sitting on the tail-board eyed them incuriously, bare feet swinging.

They came to a parked buggy with a canvas top and a pair of good-looking grey horses in the traces.

‘Put your bags inside,’ Henderson instructed.