Peter.’ It was the first time I had used his name. ‘You heard me sing tonight, did you not?”Yes, love.’The endearment took my breath away – made me forget what I meant to say. I...

After a moment, he added more seriously: ‘I don’t get as angry as m’father used to about things. Or maybe I’, just better at hiding m’feelings.”I fear I’m not very good at hiding my feelings.’He...

Ah yes.’ Peter’s tone was scornful. ‘And they must always be paid before the poor tradesmen’s bills, mustn’t they?”They must indeed. They are debts of honour.”Oh, Mary.’ He leant over and kissed me quickly. ‘What...

I lost the letter in rather embarrassing circumstances. We were to dine at Parramatta Government House that same evening, and Peter had come in early from harvesting the wheat, sitting down in all his dirt...

This made my father laugh. ‘Mary made a cake, did she? Well, well. Better that than she should make a cake for herself, I suppose.’Peter then burst out: ‘Why must you always be making a...

Peter was now standing very close – as if he wanted to comfort me – as if he knew how hurt I felt that Mrs Knowles had not asked me to play or to sing....

In suiting the action to the words, however, I perceived that the stars were all wrong.That was my undoing. I had looked up unthinkingly, anticipating the familiar, and, finding it gone, began to cry like...

At that moment a solitary violin struck up. But the music was not dance music; it was more like a song – a solemn, sweet song. (I know now that it was Beethoven’s Romance in...

I felt my mouth go dry, my throat constrict. What possible interpretation could Peter place on those words, other than that they were about him? – that the entire song was about him?

Before I could reply, he had picked me up, literally swept me off my feet, and kissed me. And afterwards, when I tried to speak, he silenced me in much the same manner. It was...

I found I could listen without envy to Letty’s singing, and afterwards when the applause came, I did not mind that Mrs Knowles was heaping praises upon her. Peter’s hands were on my chair, and...

I did not have an opportunity to speak privately with Peter until just as he was leaving, when he handed me one of the Burns song-sheets and (with a most earnest look) told me to...

I knew it was Peter playing. I fancied he was trying to tell me something – an absurd idea, but it persisted – ‘I may not be able to spell, but just you listen to...

I saw that he was looking anxious.’I thought you weren’t coming.’ As he spoke, he grasped my hand. And if the sight of him had not quite restored the magic, the touch of him most...

Shortly after you left the room, Bushell came over and spoke to your father. I was not near enough to hear what he said, but Maria Lucas told me afterwards that he had been -‘...

Blessed with the love of a good man, I felt equal to anything – even the prospect of living out my days in the Antipodes.

I had never in all my life felt so elated. Peter cared for me! It was a miracle I longed to celebrate – to tell all Hertfordshire – and I had to hold my hand...

Hello, Mary.’It was like hearing a note of divine calm after a dissonant passage of music. My confusion died away.