With less than 2 months to go until “Heart of the River” is released, here is a quick teaser scene. Matteo is teaching Isabel how to make pizza in the pub kitchen at Gol Gol, on the New South Wales side of the Murray River across from Mildura.

‘My grandmother took over the licence on the River­side Hotel in 1917 with three children in tow and my mum, Audrey, just a bun in the oven,’ Isabel said, happy to give him a history lesson of her own. It might not have been about kings and queens but she was proud of her family’s story. ‘Back then, before the bridge was built, the liquor would be sent up from Melbourne to Mildura and carted across the river punt. That was until the big Spanish influenza epidemic closed the bor­ders. But when they opened again, the punt would also carry anyone who wanted a drink as Mildura was “dry” thanks to it being a temperance colony at the time. Grandma, being a pub­lican from way back, said it was a God-given right for a body to have a drink at the end of a hard day’s work. She was quite a character.’

‘And you have lived in this hotel all your life?’

‘I have.’

‘I was thinking as I arrived that I should probably meet your father.’

The happiness she’d felt telling him about the pub dissipated. It was the second time he’d brought up her father since he’d arrived. She should have known the question was coming, but it still felt like a stab in the heart. She’d have to tell him eventually.

‘You can’t meet my father.’ Turning her back, she began to clean up the mess they’d left on the kitchen bench. ‘He’s not around anymore.’

She felt him move in behind her. He took her shoulders, turn­ing her around. His finger touched beneath her chin and he lifted her head so he could meet her eyes.

‘I’m sorry,’ he said, his deep voice quiet, his pale blue eyes full of sympathy. ‘He died?’

She opened her mouth but couldn’t bring herself to speak about what her father did. Even after all these years.

To hear what happened to Isabel’s father, you will just have to buy the book.

Don’t forget you can pre-order “Heart of the River” now online and at bookstores. Here is a link to Harper Collins website that provides links to stores. Thanks for reading!