I open the door to them standing side by side on the coir mat, close but not touching. ‘Hey guys. Long time no see.’ I peer behind them, out to the street. Abby’s neighbour is hosing her driveway again. The milkman is pulling up a few doors down the road on his usual run. A mickey bird swoops low to peck a labrador waddling across the road. But what I’m looking for is Finn, and there’s no sign of him. I ask Maria for good measure, ‘Are you alone?’

‘Yeah. Are you going to let us in?’

I stand aside. ‘Wasn’t sure you were ever going to come back.’

‘I told you I’d come when the time was right.’

Abby stands at the kitchen sink washing our cups and dishes. She turns at the sound of Beau and Maria entering the room and I realise she’s never seen Beau before. She’s never met Maria either, for that matter. I introduce everyone. Abby stares at Beau, soap suds dripping down her wrist and onto the floor. Beau is taller than Sarah now, still skinny, could do with a wash, but his expression is relaxed and open.

‘You’re the daughter, yeah?’ Maria says.

At the sound of Maria’s voice, Abby snaps back, wipes her hands hurriedly, nods.

‘I need more coffee,’ I say. ‘Anyone else?’

Maria pulls out a chair and settles herself. ‘Black.’

‘You too, buddy?’ I say to Beau. ‘Cup of joe?’

He giggles and sits down as Maria has indicated he should.

‘Abby, coffee? Join in anytime.’

‘Sorry. I’m sorry. You’ve taken me by surprise. Beau, it’s so nice to meet you,’ Abby says. ‘Cordial or –?’

‘Juice or water,’ Maria says.

‘Still fresh out of soy milk,’ I say, to which Maria smiles and Abby looks confused.

Abby pours Beau a glass of apple juice and places a plate of biscuits and cut apple in front of him in no time flat. She is an Olympic-quality mother. Then she addresses Maria. ‘My father’s not here anymore. He’s gone back to the farm.’

‘Beau, the grown-ups need to talk,’ Maria says. ‘Hoof it, darling.’

He slumps in his seat. I have the feeling he hears this a lot. ‘It’s hot outside.’

‘The twins have set up a Hot Wheels track in their room,’ I say. He stares blankly at me, takes a bite of his biscuit. ‘Toy cars. Their room’s down the hallway there.’

He brightens. ‘Okay.’ He gulps a mouthful of juice, slips off the seat and scampers out of the kitchen.

Maria crosses her arms, ready to talk business. ‘Things are happening at the commune. There’s been another change of plans. And this one is kind of on you, or your husband anyway. So Beau needs to be here, out of the way, while we manage our . . . issues.’

‘He can’t stay here. That was my father’s idea. I can tell you where his farm is if Beau needs a temporary home,’ Abby says.

Maria snorts. ‘We know where you all live. And it might’ve been your Dad’s idea to begin with but now it’s Finn’s. He wants Beau here, like I said, with a mothering type and other kids, normal meals and all that.’