That tongue on teeth noise that Dad used to make when he was losing patience. ‘She doesn’t. You two just need to clear the air, set some boundaries. It’s important that you make up. Strong relationships and regular visitors can be an incentive to maintain a less cluttered home.’

‘Jesus, you sound like that social worker.’

‘I’ve been talking with her, yeah. We’ve set up a treatment plan. Haven’t convinced Aunty Nic to follow it yet, but we’re working on it.’

‘What the fuck, Will? When I took off you were in a puddle and now you’re Mr Fix It.’

‘Yeah, I haven’t been firing on all cylinders, I know. I’m starting to get it together, though. Thanks to Aunty Nic.’

‘God, I should’ve pissed off earlier. Sounds like everything’s going much better there without me.’

‘I mean, she has gone from screaming at me to get out to more or less saying I should move in with her, so.’

‘Well, then. No need for me to come back at all. Sounds like she’s already got her strong-relationship-clutter-management-incentive blah blah whatever person.’

‘First, stop being a crayon-for-brains. You know you have to make up with her sooner or later. And second, I can’t keep moping around like this. I need to get a move on. Find a proper job or do some training or something. Start over. Again.’

‘Can’t you do that from Nic’s?’

‘I guess, but … it’s hard here. Too much history. Too many people know me. I need to be somewhere that … somewhere that I can walk into a pub or a party and not have anyone already know the worst thing I ever did.’

‘People don’t care, though. Probably see you as a hero.’

‘Selling drugs to kids. Real heroic.’

‘That’s not what people remember. They remember Dad. That you were helping him.’

‘Dad woulda been wild if he’d known I was dealing. Woulda disowned me.’

‘Please. He would have frowned for a couple of hours then forgiven all. You were always the favourite.’

‘That’s why Aunty Nic refers to her spare room as “Lena’s room”. Because I’m the favourite.’

‘Mum and Dad’s favourite. Plus all the teachers at school. Everyone at school. All my friends had the hots for you.’

‘Yeah? You still in touch with any of them? I could do with a—’

‘Ew. Stop.’

A pause. ‘Hard to imagine now. Being anyone’s favourite.’

‘Maybe if you stayed in one place more than five minutes.’

‘Tried that. Didn’t help.’

‘Maybe if you stay in this place more than five minutes.’

‘What? I’ll be your favourite?’

‘Don’t ask for miracles. Nic’s, though. With me out of the way you’ve got a clear run.’

‘Don’t be out of the way. Please, Leen.’