‘I go to my bag with him waving a knife at me, get today’s winnings, give them to him, and he says, “That’s it?”’

‘When I nod, he smacks me full in the face, and I go down on one knee. Then, while he’s looking about in a sort of rage, I charge him. He’s big, but I manage to knock him down. It half-winds him, but he struggles up, and starts waving the knife around at me, saying, “Where’s the rest of the money?” I tell him I don’t know. He’s taken everything I’ve got, but if he’s going to be threatening me with a knife, he’d better know I’ve got mates about to come round, and they’ll sort him out. Then he just bolts with my dough.’

‘You scared him off? Well done.’

‘He still got my money.’ Mick wipes sweat from his face that hasn’t been produced by heat. ‘He wasn’t real hard-core or anything. Looked like he might have been a local bloke, on the gear. Must have seen us winning at the races, and decided we’d be an easy mark. Didn’t think that sort of thing happened in the country. It’s different around here, isn’t it?’

I walk over to the toolbox, pull out a large wad of money, and hand it to Mick.

‘Here. Sorry.’

This significantly brightens his day.

‘Thanks.’ He looks at the money, and his face changes to a question mark. ‘You kept the money in your ute? You knew he might come?’

‘No.’

‘Then you didn’t trust me?’

‘I trust you, Mick.’

‘Either option, you could have told me.’

‘I know. I’m sorry.’

He stuffs my money into his bag.

‘You’re in some trouble, aren’t you?’

‘Of course not.’

‘You’ll never get Sarah back if you get involved with crooks.’

‘I know that.’ I say it like the idea is ridiculous. Me? Involved with crooks? But I know he’s right. Even though the involvement isn’t my fault, I’m starting to get into territory that will give Sarah presumptions that will destroy what remains of our relationship.

‘Anyway, I’m gone. This is too far-out for me. Thanks for the cash. I’ll come back in a month or so and check on you, if you’re still alive.’

The last bit is a joke, I’m sure, but he gives no hint of it — just dawdles to his car, fires it up, gives me an uncommitted wave, and disappears.

I’m relieved, and somehow empty. It wasn’t so bad having him around, especially now that I know he’s brave enough to knock down a man with a knife. A man who is probably returning right this minute with reinforcements.