Andrew as an adult was more distinguished among his peers than he’d been as a schoolboy. Those who thought him little more than a swot then were now interested in his achievements and opinions. He didn’t inflate in response to the attention but remained friendly, quietly spoken and interesting. He was especially pleased to meet up with an Auckland paediatrician who had been a close school friend and whom Pearly could barely recall. The two moved to the side of the hall in close conversation. Pearly, too, was well received — and better remembered. Even as he mingled, laughed and shook hands, though, he wondered what his experience might have been had he gone away from his own country and tested himself overseas as Andrew had. He was a town mayor and seller of houses, something of a local identity in a long line of local identities who rapidly faded into obscurity. He raised his empty plastic tumbler as an explanation for leaving those about him and eased his way through the throng to the wine tables, where he caught the eye of young Bannister and so was served before others. Bannister leant in, bottle in hand, to offer wine. ‘What are we drinking?’ Pearly asked, holding a hand palm up to delay him.

‘Chardonnay,’ said Bannister.

‘Somewhere there should be some Central Otago riesling. That, or a sav blanc,’ said Pearly, and when the young man came back with the sav, Pearly said, ‘Look, I’ll have the bottle, if that’s okay. My mob’s well down the hall,’ and he reached for the bottle, took it with thanks and a wink. That’s how it is when you’re mayor and committee chair: allowances are made and temporary petty regulations ignored.

Out of the scrum and making his way back towards those of his own vintage, Pearly saw his brother and worked his way to him. Richie immediately took the opportunity for a refill. ‘You cunning old sod,’ he said. Others who had been talking with Richie couldn’t be ignored, and after a top-up for himself, Pearly abandoned the bottle to them. Richie had been two years behind his brother at school, but Pearly had come to know most of his friends and was accepted among them. The brothers had always been close: perhaps the age gap was initially just sufficient to weaken competition while allowing companionship, and in adulthood they had chosen very different directions while remaining friends. There had been the odd squabble and times when circumstances parted them for long periods, but the bond was strong and natural, valued by both of them without the need for much formal expression.