To mark the publication today of the new digital edition of A Greater World by Canelo, here’s an interview with the main character, Elizabeth Morton.

First of all, Elizabeth, can you give us a brief introduction to yourself – who are you and where are you from?

I’m the elder of two daughters of the late John Morton and his wife, born and bought up in the town of Northport, near Liverpool. Until recently I led a charmed life, but lately I’ve had more than my fair share of sorrow. My fiancé was killed in the Great War and, soon after, I suffered the sudden death of my mother. Then after a traumatic incident which I’d rather not talk about here, but which cost me my home and way of life, I travelled to Australia to join my father, only to find out that he’d died a few days before I got here.

I’m an avid reader with a great love of music – I play the violin and until recently I used to teach young pupils in my home. I used to enjoy going to plays and concerts when I was England – and playing the occasional game of tennis. But my whole life has changed now I’m in Australia. I always try to make the best of whatever fate throws at me – although lately I must admit I’ve been sorely tested.

You were born in interesting times – tell us what being a woman is like for you in 1920

Yes, I was born in the last decade of the nineteenth century and now, at twenty-nine, I’m not yet quite old enough to be allowed the vote in England. While I wasn’t a suffragette, I was certainly supportive of their aims and objectives – if not always of their methods.

I’ve never had a job outside the home, and led a fairly privileged life, with servants and no financial difficulties, but after my father sold the family coffee import business, things became more difficult. I took on music pupils and I have found teaching rewarding and fulfilling. I’m certainly not afraid of hard work, even if I haven’t been used to it. When my father was alive and still running his coffee import business, I took an interest in the fortunes of the business, even though I had no formal role. Father liked to use me as a sounding board, and I found the business fascinating.

Following the War when women played a more active role in the life of the nation and in support of the war effort, I was optimistic that we would have a more meaningful part to play in future, yet it feels as though this isn’t going to be the case. It’s as if men freed us from our constraints when they needed us, but now the war is over they’ve pushed us right back where we were before. As a woman, even one with a very open-minded father, I’m all too conscious of the limits within which I live. Even my own father seemed to think I was a chattel he could barter away.

Do you prefer the company of men or women?

I enjoy the company of interesting people, regardless of their gender! My close friend in Australia, Miss Verity Radley, has little in common with me in terms of family background, but we have both known sorrow – she too lost her fiancé, in her case to diphtheria. I admire Verity as, despite the shattering of her world when Bernard died, she picked herself up and went ahead with their dream of setting up a school in the Blue Mountains. Her tenacity and courage have been inspiring to me.

Michael Winterbourne, the love of my life, also came from a different world than my privileged one. A lead miner from a remote valley in northern England, he served in the War and lost friends and family at the Front. The war was a turning point for him as it opened his eyes to new horizons beyond his valley, introduced him to the joy of reading and gave him the scope to do what he does so well, which is to lead and manage other men.

I have two teenage Australian step-children, Harriet and Will. While I’ve tried my best to befriend Hattie, she’s gone out of her way to rebuff me. Will on the other hand, is as dear to me as if he were my own younger brother. I can only put the difference here down to their intrinsic nature and to the fact that Will was largely neglected by his father after the death of his mother, whereas Hattie was brought up in town by the childless Verity. In her effort to befriend Hattie, and help after her mother’s death, Verity may have over-indulged her and unwittingly nurtured some of her worst aspects.

What’s your greatest disappointment?

The loss of trust and affection between myself and my sister, Sarah. The circumstances that brought that about are too painful for me to talk about here.

What was the happiest moment in your life?

The few precious hours I spent with Michael Winterbourne when we arrived in Sydney. It is a poignant memory for me as it was mixed in with my grief over the death of my father and it also marked the beginning of my separation from Michael. While the memory is painful, the brief time we shared has sustained me through some of the most frightening and lonely times in my life.

EXCERPT:

When the ship docked at Cape Town, Elizabeth stood on the upper deck, looking at Table Mountain, feeling the warmth of the sun on her cheeks. The pallor of Northport had given way to a healthy glow in her complexion from the sea air.

The deck was crowded with people enjoying the view while they waited to disembark. Elizabeth noticed the man she and Mrs Briars had met over tea. He was standing alone, looking ashore. Since that afternoon, she hadn’t seen him again. She thought it strange, because as huge as the Historic was, it was hard not to keep seeing the same people on board. Perhaps he’d been avoiding her? On impulse she decided to speak to him now.

‘The view’s more impressive than the Pier Head isn’t it?’

He started in surprise. ‘Aye, it is that.’

‘The mountain certainly lives up to its name.’

He looked at her with a mixture of interest, mistrust and shyness. ‘Why? What’s it called?’

‘Table Mountain. It’s like a big flat table, sitting there between the sea and the sky.’

‘Aye it is.’ He looked away, as though ending the casual exchange but, when she remained standing beside him, he nodded towards the crowd of people waiting on the lower deck. ‘Not joining your friend then?’

‘Mrs Briars is not my friend.’

He turned to look at her. ‘Not your cup of tea, eh?’

She smiled. ‘Is it that obvious? Three weeks of sharing a cabin with that insufferable woman would have tried the patience of a saint, let alone me.’

‘Just have to hope her replacement will be an improvement.’

‘There’ll be no replacement. The purser’s just told me I’ll have the cabin to myself for the rest of the voyage.’

‘Lap of luxury, eh, Miss? I’m sorry I can’t remember what yer name is? I were that keen on getting away from your cabin mate.’

Elizabeth stretched out her hand to him. ‘Elizabeth Morton, Mr Winterbourne.’

He looked embarrassed. ‘I feel really bad now, Miss Morton. You must think me rude not to have remembered yer name when you’ve done me the honour of remembering mine.’

‘Not at all. I’ve a memory for names and, in your place, I’d have run a mile to escape Mrs Briars – especially when she kept getting your name wrong. Unfortunately I was stuck with her. I was sorely tempted to sleep on deck under the stars to escape. It took her at least a week to stop calling me Miss Milton. And she was very rude to you. I’m sorry.’

‘No need to apologise for ‘er.’

‘Are you travelling with Mrs Winterbourne?’

‘There isn’t one. No, I’m sharing a cabin with three brothers from Manchester. They’re all right and leave me alone, which suits me. I’m not one for conversation.’

‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…’

‘No, Miss Morton. I don’t mean you.’

‘Are you going ashore for a while?’

‘Mebbe later, once the crowds ‘ave gone. I were thinking to enjoy the peace and quiet for a bit. To be honest I’m a bit bothered that when I stand on dry land again I might fall over after being so long on board.’ He adopted the gait of a sailor and started to rock slightly from foot to foot.

Elizabeth laughed and realised it was the first time she had felt light-hearted since leaving Trevelyan House. She said, ‘I was keen to disembark and have a look around, until I realised that if I did, Mrs Briars intended to wrap me in the bosom of her family and I might never have escaped!’

‘I can see why that wouldn’t appeal much.’

She was about to speak again but was overcome with shyness. It took her by surprise. It wasn’t that she didn’t know what to say, just that she was terribly self-conscious saying it. Her words seemed too big for her mouth and she was acutely aware of the sound of her own voice. She didn’t want to look at him, turning towards the crowds pouring down the gangplank. What was wrong with her? She was like a tongue-tied schoolgirl.

Michael Winterbourne interpreted her turning away as a wish to be left alone. He raised his cap, mumbled a quick good morning and walked off down the deck.

The new e-book edition of A Greater World is published in 10th January 2019. It is also available in paperback and audio versions.

Buy A Greater World in all formats from the digital retailer of your choice right now or you can also buy the paperback from all good bookstores – ISBN 978-0993332401