Jasper, as coach, had an office at the end of the gymnasium; actually just the old equipment room with three stained mats still in rolls at one end on which the team would sit and Jasper’s clutter over much of the rest, including the fractured blackboard on which he plotted the plays that only sometimes went to plan. He was at his table when Pearly came, an art-room table, bigger than the normal issue, daubed with paint and gnawed at by compasses, scrapers and buckles. Jasper must have claimed it during some renovation.

‘Two more days, eh, Pearly?’ Jasper had said when Pearly appeared.

‘Yes, Mr Peters.’

‘Sit down a minute.’ And Pearly had done so, the rolled gym mat familiar to his backside, his large knees making taut the grey flannel of the long trousers seventh-formers were permitted.

‘So you’re going down to Otago uni?’ Jasper said.

‘Yes.’

‘What will you take?’

‘Anything but maths,’ Pearly said, and Jasper laughed. He was tall, thin and the skin of his neck hung in folds beneath his chin. His short grey hair was permanently bristled and gave him a startled look.

‘And then what?’ said Jasper.

‘I’m not really sure,’ said Pearly. ‘I could go back on the farm, but who knows? I quite like history and geography.’ Jasper didn’t comment on the complimentary reference to geography, although Pearly was sincere. ‘Most of my friends are going to Dunedin and I want to make the varsity teams if I can.’

‘You’ll be well coached down there,’ said Jasper, nodding. ‘I know one or two at the varsity and I’ll put in a word for you. I want to wish you well. Apart from the nonsense with the hostel girls, you’ve had a good year. A good school career in fact. I just want to say that I think you could go on quite a bit in footy if you put the time in and look after yourself, don’t get silly with drinking. Have fun, but keep away from the larrikin groups. You keep your fitness up, and who knows where you’ll go. You’ve played some good games this year when it mattered.’

‘Thanks.’

‘One other thing. It’s up to you entirely, but I wouldn’t go teaching if I were you. It’s easy to drift into when you’re young and concentrating on sport. Not so easy to drift out of. Anyway, good luck, Pearly, as I say,’ and Jasper had stretched out his hand without getting up from the art desk, and Pearly had shaken it, felt the dry rasp of the coach’s palm, and left.