Cousin Jacob is the first person I see on the Port Adelaide dock when we walk off the steamship. I know because Da tells me. Cousin Harry is right behind him. Uncle Malachi is loud and tall, Jacob much the same. The first thing Jacob says makes me stare at him. "The ship Yongala hit a cyclone off the coast of Queensland. Sank overnight. Everyone drowned, all hundred and twenty two of them. "That's nasty," I say. "Yep." Jacob is enjoying himself. I meant he was nasty, not the horrible news. Uncle Malachi frowns. "That's not the best conversation for people just off a ship boy." Jacob is watching me, probably hoping I'll cry. I press my lips together and look at Harry instead, but he won't meet my eye. Jacob leans so close I think he's going to pick up our carpet bag. He murmurs "Two days ago it happened, on the 23rd of March. You were still at sea. It could've been you." Elowen's lip quivers, so I take her hand and ignore my cousin. Its Harry who hoists our bag onto his shoulder as he walks off ahead of us.