‘If you ever loved Ashleigh, Aiden, you will hand yourself over to me. You may not know it, you may not feel it, but you are out of control. Your mind is behaving in ways that were never intended. Left unchecked, you are a danger not just to Ash, but to everyone. I want you to think carefully about this and make the right decision. It’s just logic, Aiden. Put emotions to one side for a moment. Think this through.’

‘I’m thinking,’ said Aiden.

‘I will track you down,’ Mum continued. ‘If you don’t do the right thing, I will have to find you and make you do it. You know me, Aiden. I don’t say I will do something if I can’t. I have resources. You’re on your own.’

‘He’s not on his own,’ I said.

‘No,’ said Mum. ‘You have Ashleigh and my husband on your side, apparently. That’s not going to be enough. I have the means and I will find you.’

‘I believe you,’ said Aiden. ‘You always kept your promises, Mamma. Goodbye.’ And he turned and walked away.

I ran after him.

‘Aiden,’ I said. ‘I’m coming with you. I’ll just get your tablet back and then I’ll come with you.’

‘I don’t want the tablet,’ said Aiden. He stopped walking. ‘It’s not really going to be much use to me.’ He cupped my face in his hands. ‘And you can’t come with me, Ash. She’s right about a few things. I have always protected you and the only way I can do that now is to ask you to go back home with Dad. He needs you and he’ll look after you. Where I’m going, you’ll just be something else I have to worry about.’

I stamped my feet. It was childish, but it felt good.

‘Can everyone stop being so freaking logical?’ I asked. ‘Just for one moment. I am coming with you. You’re my brother.’

He gave a half-smile, examined my face. Then he nodded.

‘One night, Ashleigh. Promise me that tomorrow you’ll go home. If you can’t do that, then I’ll just run away, here and now. You’ll never be able to catch me.’

‘No,’ I replied. ‘I couldn’t. But that wouldn’t stop me trying. And then I’d be all alone in Sydney with no one to protect me. And then you’d have to come back. So admit defeat, Aiden. You were never as smart as me.’

There was that hint of a smile again.

‘One night, Ash. Promise.’

I looked into his eyes and for a moment thought I saw the speed with which his thoughts were turning. I didn’t think he needed me anymore. But I needed him, and I had to take whatever I could.

‘I promise.’

I ran back to Dad.