Jane Makim, born in London, lives a hard life in the remote and rugged outback of New South Wales with her rancher husband and two young children. On 23 July 1986 she was in London on important family business - the wedding of her younger sister. But this was no ordinary wedding. Her sister, Sarah Ferguson, was marrying Prince Andrew. Back at the ranch in the drought plain on the Queensland border, Jane reflects on a life and lifestyle that could hardly be less like those of her more famous sister. Captain John Alliston, RN, also decided to settle in a remote corner of Australia. At the end of the war he brought his new bride, Eleanor, to a deserted island, a mere speck on the map off Tasmania, where they eked out a precarious living and raised a large and happy family. Today the Allistons enjoy a busy retirement. John cultivates his garden; Eleanor writes romantic novels under the nom de plume of Minka Jones.