‘It sounded important,’ said his dad, positioned by the front window, the shotgun tucked down behind the seat, out of sight from the kids.

Chandler convinced himself that there was a valid reason for not telling them. He’d lost count of how many times over the years Teri had promised to come and not shown up – or worse, appeared out of the blue, throwing everyone on to high alert. Five years ago, on Sarah’s fifth birthday, she’d made one of her unannounced visits. The kids had been thrilled, believing she was moving back home. When he explained she needed to give him some warning, she told him she could do what she liked; they’re my kids too. But back then Chandler knew she didn’t really want them. Not permanently, anyway. So the party had continued, Teri on the receiving end of a mass of cold shoulders from the gathered adults, before she made her excuses and left Chandler to soothe his bawling kids.

The night was getting late and the children were ordered back to bed. After being tucked in Jasper fell asleep straight away but Sarah wanted to discuss her upcoming First Confession again. Chandler was more than happy to, as much to distract his mind from the case as to ease her fears.

As he sat on the edge of the bed she skimmed through the stories chosen by the priest for study: Cain and Abel; the sellers in the temple; the Prodigal Son. Typical First Confession fare.

‘I want to get rid of my sins,’ she said abruptly.

‘Honey, you don’t have any sins.’

‘I do,’ she said matter-of-factly. ‘For a start I steal food from Jasper at dinner or sneak a cookie from the tray when Nanna bakes them. Also, sometimes I get angry that you’re not here and curse.’

‘You do?’

Tilting her head to the side as if he were slow, she said, ‘I know curse words, Dad.’

Chandler shook his head. He’d assumed she knew curse words. ‘No, not that. You get angry that I’m not here?’

Sarah nodded. ‘But I get angry that Mum isn’t here too,’ she said, sweeping the curtain of jet black from her face.

He nodded and tried to force the next question out. It stuck in his throat. He needed to ask it though he wasn’t sure he wanted the answer.

‘Now you’ve thought about it, would you want to live with Mum?’

‘In Port Hedland?’

‘I guess.’ The alternative he hadn’t considered until now chilled him to the bone. Mitch and Teri living in Wilbrook and having to see them every day as parents to his kids. The idea made him sick to the stomach.

‘And you’re coming too?’ she asked.

‘No, without me.’

‘Maybe if I get rid of all my sins and pray you could live with us too—’