I have never experienced a heat quite like it. The Australian sun has the ability to stifle and suffocate, not like the pleasant warming rays of the Mediterranean. Here, in this new land, the earth itself is baked, and the strange creatures that inhabit it have adapted to manage the temperature over many centuries. I, alas, have not had that luxury. I am cold-blooded, accustomed to keeping heat in, rather than expelling it with ease.

Weather aside, my limited experience of Australia is that it is stunningly beautiful. The ochre-red outback is punctuated by primal rock formations and verdurous shrubs. Much of the ground is caked in orange mud, which dries out in the sun to form a powder, and blows across the roads in the wind like fairy dust.

As for Alicia Hall itself, I have rarely seen an oasis more delightful. After a few days spent around Adelaide’s port, I eventually travelled down roads of tin-roofed shacks, which graduated to rows of bungalows and, finally, to a wide street lined with grand houses. Alicia Hall is the most impressive of them all. A white colonial mansion built to withstand the heat of the day, it is surrounded on all sides by cool, shady verandas and terraces fenced with delicate latticework.

The lush garden is laid out by sections, with paths mown into the grass, some of them shaded by wooden frames covered in wisteria. The dark green topiary bushes are perfectly pruned, as are the herbaceous borders that contain brighter specimens – fiery pink and orange flowers, glossy green leaves and honey-scented purple blooms. I have spent hours marvelling at the large blue butterflies which dip in to drink their sweet nectar. The boundaries of the garden are lined by towering trees with unusual ghost-white bark, which produce a fresh herbal scent that wafts into the house on the evening breeze, when a chorus of insects produce a cacophony of sound.

Ralph Mackenzie had charismatic blue eyes, a strong jawline and thick auburn hair. To my surprise, he was significantly younger than Kitty – perhaps twenty years or so. When I knocked on his door a week after arriving in Adelaide, the reception could not have been warmer.

‘Mr Tanit? Welcome to Alicia Hall.’ He greeted me with an enthusiastic handshake and welcomed me in through the grand hallway. After sitting me down in the drawing room, he asked his housekeeper, Kilara, for a cup of hot tea.

‘I think a water would serve me well, actually, Mr Mackenzie,’ I interjected.

‘Aha! Clearly, like me, you come from the cold, Mr Tanit. I also could not picture anything worse than hot tea in this climate when I first arrived. However, my wise sister assured me that the hot tea makes you sweat, activating the body’s natural cooling system.’

I shrugged. ‘I had never even considered such a thing.’

Ralph gave me a grin. ‘Australia is full of surprises, Mr Tanit. You’ll find a new way of looking at the world.’

‘I hope so.’

‘Now, my sister tells me you’re in need of employment. I should like to say straight away that Kitty’s recommendation is enough for me. You are welcome to the job I have in mind for you . . . should you wish to take it.’ Ralph looked hesitant. ‘I’m sure she has made you aware of what she has done for me, so I am desperate to return the favour in any way possible.’

‘I should be grateful for any work you are able to provide, Mr Mackenzie. I’m not put off by a lot,’ I replied honestly.

Ralph leant forward on the old wooden chair he was sitting on. ‘What do you know of opal, Mr Tanit?’

I thought back to the pendant necklace worn by Kreeg’s mother. ‘Only that it is a fine and rare material, prized by jewellers.’

‘Quite right, Mr Tanit. Due to an unlikely combination of geology, Australia has been the world’s primary source of opal since the 1880s. We produce over ninety-five per cent of the stuff here. Now, to be quite honest, the pearling business in Broome has gone belly-up after the war. It’s recovering, but slowly.’ He sat up again and, perhaps unconsciously, adjusted his waistcoat. ‘As the new head of the corporation, it is my intention to restore the Mercer reputation to its former glory in that field.’

‘I see.’

‘My nephew, Charlie, was a wise young chap, taken from us too soon during the war. He saw which way the wind was blowing, and invested in vineyards and an aforementioned opal mine in Coober Pedy. The profits are healthy enough, but we’re not operating at full capacity. I’ve just come back from the place.’ Kilara returned with the tea, served on an ornate silver tray. ‘Kilara, Coober Pedy is Aboriginal Australian, isn’t it?’

‘Yes, sir,’ Kilara nodded. ‘Kupa piti. Means “boys’ waterhole”.’ She proceeded to pour the tea out. ‘Lemon, milk, sir?’ She looked at me, and I was struck by her amazing brown eyes, which sparkled like moonlight.

‘Milk, thank you.’

Ralph continued. ‘As I was saying, Coober Pedy is the home of the opal. I am quite convinced we haven’t even scratched the surface of what’s beneath the earth. Whilst I was up there, I was offered some more land that’s going cheap. I’m going to invest in it.’

I took a sip of my tea. ‘It all sounds very intriguing, Mr Mackenzie. What did you have in mind for me?’

‘I’ll need a man to run the operation there. It’s . . . not going to be an easy position to fill. As with any mining, there are inherent dangers. And you’ll find that over here in Australia standards of health and safety are not quite as high as in Europe.’

‘Well,’ I said, ‘at least it might be cooler underground than it is above ground.’ I smiled, placing my teacup back on its saucer.

Ralph looked hopeful. ‘Might I take that as an expression of interest, Mr Tanit?’

‘You may, Mr Mackenzie. Thank you.’

‘Wonderful. But I do not wish to undersell the dangers of the role. We already have deep shafts, and it is my intention to build many more.’

I moved to reassure him. ‘Mr Mackenzie, I recently lost the love of my life. I can confidently tell you that I consider it a miracle I am still here and breathing at all. What’s more, I no longer possess any sense of fear. In truth, my life does not matter all that much to me anymore. I am glad of the opportunity you are kindly offering me.’

Ralph looked a little awkward. ‘Sorry to hear all that, Mr Tanit.’

‘Please, call me Atlas.’

‘Atlas. What a superb name. And quite appropriate, given you’ll be heading underground and holding up those opal mines on your shoulders!’ He reached over to shake my hand. ‘I’ll make sure you’re well recompensed, Atlas.’ He raised an eyebrow. ‘In fact, here’s an idea. In addition to your salary, why don’t I offer you a percentage of the opal we sell on? Shall we say . . . ten per cent of profits?’

I was shocked. ‘That’s very generous, Mr Mackenzie. But there’s no need to—’

Ralph cut me off. ‘In Scotland we have a saying, Atlas. “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”’ He smiled widely. ‘I want to incentivise you. I really think this could be pretty big stuff. If you do the job as I believe it can be done, I hope it can make you a lot of money. You’ll be in charge of increasing and maximising operations, exporting the opal, winning contracts . . . There’s a lot to do. You’ll be glad of the ten per cent, I assure you.’

I gave him a nod. ‘Thank you, Mr Mackenzie. We have a deal.’

‘Wonderful! I’m going to send confirmation that I wish to buy the land at Coober Pedy immediately.’ He stood up. ‘Now, I’ll wager that with that suitcase . . .’ – he pointed to my beaten bag, caked in dust from the road outside – ‘you’ll need somewhere to stay until we can send you northwards?’

‘It’s true, I don’t have anywhere to go,’ I admitted.

‘You’re most welcome at Alicia Hall in the meantime.’

‘Honestly, Mr Mackenzie, your kindness knows no bounds. I am eternally grateful.’

‘In all honesty, you’re going to need all the comfort you can get.’ Ralph looked a little sheepish. ‘There’s one thing I haven’t yet mentioned about Coober Pedy.’

‘No?’

‘You were quite right in assuming that it is far cooler underground than above ground. As a result, in order to avoid the punishing desert heat, the small population lives underground. They have quite literally burrowed into the hills. The chap I’m buying the land from will be handing over his house, too. It’s where you’ll live.’ He stared at me with concern, as if I was going to be put off by the proposition.

‘Mr Mackenzie, burrowing underground away from the rest of the world sounds oddly perfect.’

Ralph looked relieved. ‘It’s a match made in heaven! Now, I’m off to make some arrangements. Kilara will make you feel very welcome.’ I finished my tea and got to my feet. ‘Kilara, would you show Mr Tanit up to the master guest room?’

‘Yes, sir.’ She bowed her head.

‘Thank you. I shall see you at dinner, Atlas.’ Ralph turned to leave the room and immediately collided with a small boy, whom I recognised as little Eddie from the ship.

‘Woah, steady, Eddie!’ said Ralph, ruffling his hair.

‘Eddie!’ I exclaimed, with a huge smile on my face. ‘What on earth are you doing here?!’ The young boy grinned back at me and buried his head in Ralph’s trouser leg.

Ralph’s confusion was momentary. ‘Of course, you must know each other from the ship!’

‘We do indeed. It’s very good to see him here at Alicia Hall, Ralph.’

‘It’s our honour to have him.’ Ralph put his arm around the boy. ‘He and Tinky the King Charles Spaniel have become the firmest of friends, haven’t you, Eddie?’ He gave an enthusiastic nod. ‘Hang on, I suppose you don’t know that he and Sarah turned up here to find Kitty a couple of days after she’d arrived?’

‘No, I didn’t. As I recall they were due to meet their new families soon after we docked?’

Ralph sighed. ‘That was the plan, apparently. But no one came for either of them. He and Sarah were taken to this godawful orphanage. But they did a runner, and made their way to Alicia Hall.’ He looked down rather proudly at Eddie.

‘Is Sarah all right?’ I asked nervously.

‘Absolutely, Mr Tanit. Kitty has taken her on as her maid. They’re together as we speak.’

A wave of relief washed over me. ‘Oh, that is good news.’

Ralph chuckled. ‘They actually make quite a team. But my God, I’ll see the demise of the St Vincent de Paul orphanage in Goodwood if it’s the last thing I do, Mr Tanit. Apparently, the nuns worked the children like slaves. But Eddie’s safe here now, aren’t you, old man?’

‘Yes!’ Eddie squeaked, before turning and sprinting out of the room.

‘Do you know, Ralph, that’s the first time I’ve ever heard him speak.’

‘He’s a special boy. I hope perhaps one day to . . . It’s silly, he’s only just entered our lives, but it would give me great pride to make him into a Mackenzie. Officially.’ Ralph cleared his throat. ‘Anyway, I’m not a great believer in much, but I must admit that the healing powers of Alicia Hall are not insignificant. I have found it to be an oasis for reflection and still meditation. It might prove to be just the tonic for you.’ He gave me a pat on the shoulder and made his way out of the room.

‘Bag?’ Kilara asked with a kind smile.

‘Oh gosh, I’m sure I can manage. You lead the way, thank you.’ Kilara shrugged. I picked up my suitcase and followed her up the resplendent, winding staircase. As I was taking it in, I managed to stumble on the second step. Quick as a flash, Kilara had turned around, grabbed my arm and whipped the suitcase from my hand as if it were filled with feathers.

‘No worry, sir, I can carry for you.’

‘That’s awfully kind. I’m not usually so clumsy.’ Kilara led me across the mezzanine, to a stately room with beautiful views of the garden.

‘Here sleep, sir.’

‘Thank you, Kilara.’ She nodded, and went to leave. As she passed me, she took a moment to look me square in the eye. I was once more entranced by their sparkle.

‘You know the Dreamtime?’ she asked.

The question took me aback. ‘Yes. No. Well, I know of the Dreamtime. It sounds very special indeed.’ I chastised myself for the patronising way the sentence had materialised.

‘You from the Dreamtime, mister. Ancestors know you.’ Kilara put a soft hand on my elbow. I am unable to explain why, but Kilara’s warm face and gentle touch brought tears to my eyes. ‘Rest here. Rest now.’

She removed her arm and silently closed the bedroom door.

Suddenly exhausted, I collapsed onto the bed. I must have fallen asleep immediately, as I endured a cluster of awful dreams. In one, I was face to face with Elle. We were holding hands, when some dark, malignant presence arrived to pull her away into the shadows. In another, I was at a church, seemingly on the day of my wedding. I turned to see Elle walking down the aisle, but when she arrived at the altar, it was as if she could not see me. She said her vows, but would not meet my gaze. Then, when I eventually stepped off the altar, I could see that she was talking to another man, though I could not see his face.

The final dream involved a swirling night sky, with the Seven Sisters of the Pleiades taking human form and dancing above me. They joined hands, and I found myself encircled by them, as they laughed and skipped. They became faster and faster, until I became dizzy and could not watch anymore. When I opened my eyes, in front of me was a baby in a basket, mewling and crying out. All I wanted was to take it in my arms and comfort it, but when I reached inside, the baby disappeared from view. Then, when I looked around, briefly, I was met by a familiar face. It was the woman in the red dress with the long flowing hair . . . She vanished, and the world began to spin once more. This time, my field of vision exploded into an array of vivid colours. Swirling galaxies and patterns were created before my eyes, becoming brighter and brighter, until my entire world burnt a burning white.

When I awoke, the sun was shining brightly onto my face.