Julius’s height made it tough to hide, so he didn’t try. If anyone asked, he’d say he was planning to surprise Gabe when he got out of school.

St Gilda’s main parking lot had the usual mums and bodyguards waiting to pick up kids. Julius walked through the lot, then round the side to a single line of cars parked up against the senior school building.

St Gilda’s had no bays for top-form kids who’d earned driving licences, but some teachers sold their parking stickers. The senior school day was a few minutes from ending when Julius recognised the Mercedes that Collins received for his eighteenth birthday.

For his plan to work, Julius needed to get in the car alongside his cousin, without witnesses or fuss. If Collins arrived with mates or a friend to drop off, Julius would have to think up another plan, or try again the next day.

As the school bell trilled, Julius sat against a giant palm. A couple of guys from his old class stopped for Hi, why are you here? type conversations, but he acted stand-offish and kept a wary eye on the Mercedes.

He watched the senior year’s richest kids ride off in butch pick-ups, Japanese coupes and American muscle cars. By four, the lot was two-thirds empty and Collins’s Mercedes stood out amidst humbler cars owned by teachers.

Collins either had detention or training. The wait frayed Julius’s nerves, but the upside was a lot less people around than at school kick-out time.

It was closer to five when Collins showed, but signs were bad. He was with a line of guys, their football boots scraping the tarmac. Collins had always been more feared than liked and was a brooding, shirtless figure at the back. He had socks pushed down so you could see his shin pads and his training shirt wound around his hand.

A teacher got into a tatty Subaru across the lot as three players kept walking towards the main lot. One player jumped into a Mitsubishi pick-up, while another stopped to admire Collins’s car.

‘Nice wheels,’ the kid said.

Collins glowered wordlessly, making the younger boy scuttle off. Julius felt he only had seconds before Collins got in his car, but it was a huge risk with four soccer players and a teacher nearby.

But while the Subaru drove out and the players got further away, Collins walked around to drop a kitbag in his trunk. He threw Reebok pool sandals down by the back wheel, then leaned against the car to strip off his football boots.

As his cousin balanced on one leg, Julius stepped from behind the big palm. The Mitsubishi was leaving and the soccer players about to turn into the main lot as he made eight long strides. Julius had a hand on the passenger door before Collins even noticed him.

‘Don’t touch my car,’ Collins roared. ‘Hey!’