It took an hour or so to figure out the best way to go about it. The hallway was the only clear space so that was where she worked. Spare light bulbs seemed to be the one consumer item Nic didn’t buy in bulk, so Lena had to pull one out of a bedroom lamp and then risk ending up beside her aunt in hospital by standing on her toes on a rickety chair to change it. Light on, body in one piece, Poison sing-screaming, she got to work. Wet wipes and phone (on airplane mode) on one side, garbage bags on the other, she started on the first crate, pulling out an item at a time. If it was unbroken, untorn and unfaded, she wiped or shook it clear of dust, laid it to best advantage on the actually pretty nice retro-looking floorboards and snapped a photo. These items made a neat, single-depth line against the wall. Broken, torn or faded beyond repair went into a garbage bag. Those items needing a button sewed, a crack glued or other minor repairs went back into the crate or box of origin to be dealt with later.

Much of what she photographed was, in her opinion, useless crap, but she’d spent enough time scrawling through Gumtree and eBay and Etsy to know that people sold and bought useless crap all the damn time. The key was to make the price low enough that people felt they were getting a bargain, but high enough that they didn’t realise they were actually doing you a favour by getting rid of your garbage for you.

When there was no more room in the line across the wall, she started on the other side. When that was filled she moved to the armchair, disconnected from airplane mode and created a new web-based email account and vendor profile. She uploaded the pictures and descriptions, making sure to note that pick-up was free, delivery would be Australia Post rates.

Yellow t-shirt, ladies, size S. Good condition. $3

Orange terry-towelling shorts with white racing stripes, men’s, size 34. As-new condition. $3

Red-and-white-striped sundress, ladies, size XL. Never worn. Tags still attached. $5

Canvas tote bag with retro-style drawing of a cat in sunglasses. Good condition. $2

White leather handbag, 80s-style with tassels. Leather in good condition, zipper broken. $3

Dark brown teddy bear wearing red bow tie, 45 cm, brand-new, tags still attached. $6

Original Cabbage Patch Doll, red curly hair, very loved, with some smudges on cheek and one shoe missing. $4

Little Bo-Peep plastic toy. Teeth marks on staff, otherwise good condition. $1

Set of four blue-and-white-gingham cotton placemats, never used, labels attached. $2

Set of twenty-four Cleo Magazines from 1980 through to 1990. Make an offer.

Child-sized pale blue plastic clothes hangers. 50c each or 10 for $4

25 jam jars, various sizes, some with labels attached, all with lids. Clean. $6

Kmart-brand white canvas shoes. Ladies. Size 9. Never worn. Tag attached. $5

Girl’s summer nightie. Cotton/polyester blend. Pink with Frozen picture. Good condition. $2