‘We have to do this real careful. Always make sure there’s light to our front and our back, and never cross over each other’s light. We create a ring of light with us in the middle. Ere look.’

I pick up a stick and go to draw in the dirt to show my thinking, but stop before the stick touches dirt.

Put that stick down! Don’t ever draw in the dirt at night, girl.

Another rule from Nan that I’ve ignored since she left. My eyes meet May’s and I drop the stick.

‘Or not. Alright, so one person moves first to build a triangle of light. With Aunty May’s firestick we just need a third point.’ I point to a spot that’ll do. ‘Then we can start reinforcing it with more fire.’

Rhi looks at me with hope. ‘Will it work?’

‘If we move very carefully? Yeah, I think so. It’s my idea so I’m doin it. The rest of you keep a close eye on all of our shadows.’

Glad for something I can do that doesn’t involve an act of suicide, I take another firestick and slide in the direction I pointed. Too scared to stand still, I make sure everyone stays within the triangle I am creating. As I move I watch the light. I refuse to look at the shadows, the flickers of movement I can’t quite make out at the edges of the advancing dark.

‘Good, Tace, real good.’ Rhi’s encouragement stops me and I place the stick on the ground. Turning to check everything I meet two grins and one old woman who’s watching me with interest.

Staying low, I move back towards them. They pass me more wood and I slowly build each firestick up till there’re two small fires. Once done, I make my way back to the others.

‘What now?’ Rhi asks, hugging her knees.

‘We wait.’ I hate saying it. We’re placing our hopes on something that may not happen. If the cops were too slow in talking to Mum or the paperwork took too long. Hell, if they ran into a cousin in the street and had a yarn.

A hand lands on my arm and I look up into Sam’s eyes.

‘Stay here.’

I nod but I can’t look away from him. A single phrase has been repeating in my head and I’ve been fighting not to examine it. Action and doing have pushed it aside, but now there is nothing to distract me.