Ty shook his head. ‘The shit came after he disappeared, I’m telling you. He’s in there somewhere.’

‘Grief,’ Lena said.

Kylie raised her eyebrows.

‘Just … maybe he left her and then she started to just, like, keep stuff because she was sad and that.’

‘That what happened to Aunty Nic? Her bloke leave her?’

Lena shrugged. ‘I don’t know what happened. Don’t think she had a bloke, though. Not anyone serious anyways.’

‘What does she say about it?’

‘Doesn’t think there’s anything wrong. Forbid me from cleaning up. Mum and Will reckon I should leave it, but they’re not here. They don’t get how—’

‘Will! God, I had the biggest crush on him when we were kids. Such a babe. How’s he going anyway? Staying out of trouble?’

‘Yeah, he’s good. Been up in North Queensland pretty much since he got out. Got himself a girlfriend, coupla stepkids. Living the dream, he reckons.’

‘Good for him. For real, stoked to hear he’s come through okay. Bloody Will, hey? Speaking of, do you want—’ Kylie cringed. ‘Not speaking of Will. Just, I was gonna ask if you wanted a smoke.’

Lena laughed. ‘I’ll tell him his name makes you think of that now.’

‘Shit, I’m a dick. Forget I said it. But have a smoke if you want. Ty’ll give you some.’

‘I’m good. You go ahead, but.’

‘Nah, I don’t touch it. Not since …’ Kylie tipped her head towards Lacey. ‘Gotta stay sharp with a little one. Especially round here. All the stairs and balconies and bloody druggies and everything.’

‘That’s right,’ Ty added, before sucking back again.

‘You want something to eat? I’m starving.’ Kylie crawled across the floor and rummaged through the bags she’d dumped earlier, emerging with a pack of Doritos the size of her child. ‘Help yourself.’

‘Nah, I’m good.’

‘Go on, you’re skinny as a rake, mate. You should eat up.’

‘Nah, really. I should go, actually. Call in at the hospital before I head back to the hoard.’ Lena stood, shook out her creaking knees. ‘Hey, I love that poster.’ Muhammad Ali in full glorious flight, white letters across his chest: The harder the battle, the sweeter the victory. ‘I should get that tattooed on my forehead.’

Ty looked up. ‘I know a bloke can do it for you. Cheap and that. If you want.’

Kylie laughed, squeezed her eyes shut for a second. ‘Yeah, Leen. Ty’ll hook you up for a cheap forehead tatt whenever you want.’

Lena was overcome with the urge to hug Kylie, but instead she tapped Ty on the shoulder as she headed for the door. ‘Hey, good to meet ya.’

‘Wait, wait, wait. Lemme give you my number.’ Kylie moving faster than seemed right, again, reaching towards Lena with open hand. ‘Give us your phone.’