by Anna Romer
Morgan was avoiding me, I felt sure, so I went to investigate.
I found him sitting alone at the far end of the garden, back in his old place on the bench against the shed wall. It was October, a starry night with a full moon. It felt unusually warm for this time of year, but that might have been the wine and the dancing. Morgan had stripped off his formal shirt to the snug T-shirt beneath, and the sight of him gave me tingles. He’d raked his hair into disarray and the cool night air had flushed his cheeks.
He looked around as I approached. ‘Who’s this gorgeous creature?’
I had planned what I would to say when I saw him. I’d been rehearsing for a week, but the minute he spoke, I forgot myself.
Gorgeous creature.
He patted the seat beside him. ‘I thought you might’ve absconded back to London by now.’
I stayed standing. I wanted him to see the dress. My grandmother’s scarlet silk, figure hugging and just a little bit sinful when worn with heels.
‘I’m hardly going to miss my best friend’s wedding.’
He looked up at me and time unravelled. Suddenly, we were back in the cave with the ocean pounding the rocks below and the storm raging outside. That night he had asked me not to run, but I had. I’d run along the path that fate or the universe had set before me. And as I ran, the memory of our time in the cave stayed with me. In the smoky blackness, in Morgan’s arms, I had slept deeply. No dreams washed against my subconscious. No whispers, no cold ghostly hands. Just Morgan’s warm body beside me, his breath rhythmic as the sea, his heartbeat steady beside mine.
Passion might not last, I had realised. But love was eternal.
He must have seen the gleam in my eyes because he got to his feet, fixed his pale gaze to mine. He traced his fingers lightly over the tiny mermaid tattooed on my shoulder, then drew away.
‘Luce?’
I was possessed, I must have been. My arms went around his neck and I drew him near, pressed so close I could feel the warmth of his breath on my lips.
‘I’m home, Morgan. To stay.’
Morgan smiled. He captured my face in his hands and kissed me. The world slid away. The garden faded, the fairy lights dimmed, the stars went out one by one. There was just the two of us, cocooned in the darkness together, right where we had always belonged.
Acknowledgements
Writing a novel can be a fairly isolating activity, but I’m lucky to have a brilliant network of people who all play a part in getting it over the finish line and into the hands of my readers.
Selwa Anthony is always first on my list to thank because without her my stories would still be languishing in a dusty bottom drawer. Selwa does so much to help me, I feel very blessed to have her in my life. She’s been my rock in hard times, and is always there to inspire and counsel, and I love her dearly for that.
I would also like to thank my steadfast crew at Simon & Schuster Australia, who always go out of their way to look after me. Larissa Edwards who saw the spark in my first novel, I’m forever grateful. Dan Ruffino for his faith in this book. My dear friend Anna O’Grady, a fellow bushwalker and camper, who always takes such care with detail and with getting my books noticed. Many thanks as well to the hard working sales team who really get behind my books and always do such an excellent job.
Special thanks to my editor Roberta Ivers who is always so generous with her time and expertise. I’ve learned more from Bert about writing than from a mountain of how-to books. She always works incredibly hard to get my story to its best, and I’m so grateful to her for everything she does. She is absolutely a treasure.
I’m hugely indebted to my copyeditor Claire de Medici and proofreader Clara Finlay for their skill and hard work. Thanks as well to my patient typesetters who, for this novel, have gone far beyond the call of duty. And many thanks to Christa Moffitt for her beautiful cover artwork, which has turned each of my books into a delicious treat.
My overseas publishers, especially Goldmann in Germany, Presses de la Cité in France, and Penguin Random House in Spain, who believe in my books and put so much thought and love into getting them out there. I’m eternally grateful.
Thank you to Bolinda Audio for always bringing my stories to life so beautifully, and to Hannah Norris for her outstanding narration.
Many thanks to Brian Dennis, the magical man behind the scenes who’s always there to make things flow more smoothly. Drew Keys for his enthusiasm over the years. Linda Anthony for all her tireless help and for her insights about the furry loves of our lives.
Russell Taylor for our spine-tingling conversations, especially the one that inspired this book. Dan Mitchell for enriching my stories and my life with his knowledge and passion. Bet Mitchell always for her love and friendship. My lovely Weirdo (Peter Wears) for many memorable and much-needed cups of tea. Ron Southern who taught me that history is in the eye of the beholder; I miss you, you mad old buzzard!
Thank you to my friend across the sea Vera Nijveld, for our sparkling connection and for getting me hooked on the best band EVER! Aunty Nancy (Hannah Banister) for a lifetime of family anecdotes that so often find their way into my books. Bob Ruthven and Stuart Ruthven for help with research, and Hailey and Luke for turning out to be such cool people.
A really special thank you to my mum Jeanette for inspiring me with her courage and resourcefulness, and for all our wonderful talks about books, history, and life. My dad Bernie, for the tall tales he told me growing up. My sister Sarah for all her help and support, and for loving me even when I’m a babbling overworked wreck. My sister Katie for bringing fun and sparkle into my life, and for continuing to remind me what’s important.
Lastly, a heartfelt thank you to my readers all over the world who brighten my writing journey with their good wishes and encouragement.
My love and thanks to you all,
Anna Romer
Book Club Questions
1. What did the silkworms symbolise?
2. Do you think Lucy’s fear was justified?
3. How did Lucy change by the end of the book?
4. Do you think that uncovering the truth can really bring about lasting transformation? In real life, does change take more time?
5. Why do you think Lucy didn’t just send Morgan into the icehouse to see what was in there?
6. Do you feel the underlying theme of the story has more to do with fear, or with love? Why do you feel this?
7. Ron says, ‘Everyone’s a hero in their own story, even the crooks.’ Which of the characters acted selfishly but believed they were doing the right thing?
8. Do you think Edwin eventually kept his threat to Jensen Burke?
9. Whose crime do you feel was the most unforgivable?
10. How might events have turned out if Edwin had told the truth about Orah’s father?
11. Why you think Edwin kept his promise to Clarice, even though it meant hurting his son?
12. Did you see Edwin as good or bad? In what way might he have been a mix of both?
13. What do you think the book’s title is referring to?
Anna Romer was born in Australia to a family of booklovers. She led a nomadic life for many years, travelling around Europe and Britain in an ancient Kombi van where she discovered a passion for history.
These days she lives in a little old cottage surrounded by bushland, writing stories about dark family secrets, rambling houses, characters haunted by the past, and settings that feature the uniquely beautiful Australian landscape.
You can find more information about Anna and her books at www.annaromer.com.au
SimonandSchuster.com.au
authors.simonandschuster.com/Anna-Romer
Also by Anna Romer
Lyrebird Hill
Thornwood House
BEYOND THE ORCHARD
First published in Australia in 2016 by
Simon & Schuster (Australia) Pty Limited
Suite 19A, Level 1, Building C, 450 Miller Street, Cammeray, NSW 2062
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bsp; A CBS Company
Sydney New York London Toronto New Delhi
Visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com.au
© Anna Romer 2016
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher.
A cataloguing in publication record for this title is available from the National Library of Australia
Creator: Romer, Anna, author.
Title: Beyond the Orchard/Anna Romer.
ISBN: 9781925184426 (paperback)
9781925184440 (ebook)
Subjects: Family secrets – Fiction.
Families – Fiction.
Dewey Number: A823.4
Cover design: Christabella Designs
Cover image: Rekha Garton/Trevillion Images, Madlen/Shutterstock, Valentin Agapov/Shutterstock
Typeset by Midland Typesetters, Australia