As I stood beneath the shower, I imagined telling Caitlin to back off, but knew that if I did it’d make me look childish. It really hurt that Caitlin was always trying to be so nice, and my Mum couldn’t even stay sober enough to remember to pick me up from my friend’s place.

When I stepped out of the bathroom in a T-shirt and pair of basketball shorts, Dad gave me a hug. ‘Come and have a feed with us, Pheebs. I’ve cooked up some fish.’

I didn’t argue, and hoped there’d be no questions about the weekend.

The fish that Dad cooked was lovely, a big juicy flathead that peeled straight off the bone. And Caitlin had poured me one of her soft drink substitutes, apple juice and soda water, which was hitting the spot too.

‘Good feed, Dad,’ I told him with a smile.

‘There’ll be no more schnitzels for me for a while, Phoebe,’ Caitlin said. ‘I’m starting my yoga instructor’s course this week.’

‘Where are you doing that?’ I asked.

‘There’s a practitioner at Port Willunga, she runs the Saturday morning sessions at the beach during the summer.’

‘So all of your training is on the beach?’ I thought about how good it was swimming with Caitlin at Second Valley.

‘No, she has a studio,’ Caitlin said with a smile.

‘Right.’ I took another mouthful of fish and noticed the smoke rise from the insect coil near my feet.

‘And how about you? Any plans for the coming week?’ Dad enquired.

I shrugged and caught sight of a new Buddha statue positioned beneath some of the plants around the back lawn.

‘Did you see that Cait picked up some info about basketball tryouts happening soon?’ Dad added.

‘Yep.’ I ate another mouthful.

‘I can go with you, if you like,’ he offered.

‘No, I’ll be okay.’

‘I’d like to see how you go.’

‘I don’t know if I will go,’ I said, shooting a look at Caitlin. She kept eating, her gaze bouncing between Dad and me as we talked.

‘What do you mean? You’re not going to tryout?’ Dad questioned with concern.

‘I don’t need to if I don’t want to,’ I said. ‘I’m still getting used to school and things. I don’t want to take on too much.’

‘But Phoebe, you live and breathe basketball,’ Dad said, confused.

‘Well, I haven’t had much choice, have I?’

Dad put down his knife and fork and wiped his mouth. I braced myself for an onslaught. To my surprise, he looked to Caitlin and paused. ‘Was everything okay at your mum’s?’

‘Yeah, all fine,’ I said.

‘Are you sure?’ he asked calmly.

‘Yep, it was good just chilling with Mum,’ I responded casually even though I was scared that Dad and Caitlin could tell that something was up. I waited for more questioning.