‘I didn’t sleep,’ he said. ‘I don’t need it anymore, Ash. Maybe I never did. It was just part of a program to shut me down for a time so I was better able to imitate a person. I’m glad that’s gone. I need all available time to think, and sleep’s a waste.’

‘Will you stay here for a while?’ I was going to remind him to watch his back.

‘No. A day, maybe, and then I’m gone. These people have been good to us and I think the best way to repay them is to move along.’

‘Where will you go?’

‘I don’t know.’

We’d reached the outskirts of Victoria Park. How could we have got here in such a short space of time? It had seemed to take ages going the other way yesterday. I could feel panic bubbling up inside me. How could I say goodbye to my brother?

‘Then go somewhere a long way away,’ I said. ‘Somewhere Mum can’t find you.’

‘I don’t think that’s possible. But if there’s a way, I’ll find it, Ash.’

We stopped in the centre of the park, in the exact spot where I’d told Aiden the truth. Was that only yesterday? Time was playing tricks with me, speeding up and slowing down for no apparent reason. A few hundred metres away was the entrance arch and beyond it, the familiar shape of the car. I didn’t want to leave.

Aiden picked up Z and pressed him into my arms.

‘Look after him, Ash,’ he said.

Now the tears started welling up.

‘Aiden …’

‘I’m going now, Ash. I’ll have to run because I don’t want to be alone for too long. I don’t want to be a target. I’ll be in touch. Trust me. I will contact you. I love you.’

He hugged me. And then he was gone. I watched my brother run towards the trees and I didn’t know if I would ever see him again.

I felt broken.

19: THREE MONTHS LATER

19

THREE MONTHS LATER

Dad knocked on my bedroom door. It was time.

I took one last look at myself in the mirror. Dressed all in black, I looked … well, elegant, I suppose. But also desperately sad, as if my dress was a reflection of what was inside me. I called for him to come in. He stood at the entrance to my room, in a smart dark suit. I avoided his eyes.

‘Are you ready?’ he asked.

I nodded. I felt unsteady on my legs, but I was as ready as I’d ever be. I followed him into the kitchen and then out onto the verandah, where Mum was waiting. It was a warm day, but not too warm. The solar sail gave decent shade but on the hottest days you still couldn’t be outdoors.

It was a good day for a burial.