Two timelines, one story. Gold, family secrets and an astrolabe bring them together across the years.

2023 When Danielle Roberts inherits a boarding house in Charters Towers, her first thought is that it’s a scam. Assured by the solicitor it isn’t, she decides to make a quick trip and sort everything out. She has no intention of staying. A pastry chef, she owns a café in Redcliffe.

The first person she sees when she arrives, is the last person she wants to see.

Brett Bainbridge, her first boyfriend, broke her heart when he walked out on her.

Now, here he is, standing in her garden bed.

1872 Eloise le Gerseul has travelled from Jersey in the Channel Islands to Australia with her father and sister. Gold brought them to Charters Towers where Eloise meets William Hatton, the wealthiest goldminer in the north. Then her father dies and Eloise is left with her sister, Emily.

Soon after her wedding to William, life takes a strange turn for Eloise. Her dear Bill goes away on business and Eloise waits and waits for his return. She worries that he’s had an accident. When he arrives home, he won’t speak to her. Eloise doesn’t understand what has happened.

Eventually, Eloise realises that she’s dead.