‘Knows how to throw a party, doesn’t she? It’s all going to plan. Tick, tick, tick.’ She gulps down another mouthful of champagne. She looks over her shoulder into the living room, where a group of revellers is dancing near the stereo. ‘See that? She made that happen. Doesn’t happen by itself, you know.’ Her smile is gone. ‘Has it all, doesn’t she? Twist in the road won’t kill her.’

Her gaze is set on Abby, who is shouldering her way through the crowd holding aloft a round white tray. I’m suddenly terrified that Abby might have confided in her boozy friend, and that by road she means our road, the road. But she doesn’t elaborate, just gives me her glass. ‘I shouldn’t be allowed to drink.’

‘People’s lives are never as simple as you think,’ I say. ‘Everybody has troubles, even Abby.’

She laughs. ‘You’re a funny one.’

When Lou goes to the bathroom I return to the gathering for lack of anything else to do, dumping her glass on the first empty surface. I’m about to make my way over to Abby, who’s standing near the veranda door, topping up people’s drinks, when Mark holds his arm up to get my attention, then comes towards me, slapping backs and clinking cans on the way.

‘Get you a drink, Charlie?’ he asks. ‘Beer, Bundy?’

‘I’m taking a breather. Party’s going well.’

He takes a slug of his beer, crushes the can and locks eyes with me. I see the face of the journalist, the interrogator, considering the best approach. ‘Abby tells me you and John went to help his mate Rick out on Monday. How’d that go?’

‘Yeah, fine. Moved some things.’

‘Did you? I could’ve helped if it’d been on a weekend. Kind of strange he asked you to help on a weekday. You know he still works – teaches at TAFE. I guess he took the day off.’

‘Pretty sure everyone but you ended their work year weeks ago.’

‘Got it done then?’

‘Yep.’

His eyes haven’t left my face, not when he’s been jostled, not when a drink is spilled on his hand. I feel sweaty and try to think of a way to disengage. I’ve told him I don’t want a drink, and he knows I’ve come from the bathroom . . .

‘Charlie, I don’t think you went to Rick’s house. I think you went to Eumundi. And you’re only now realising how out of your depth you are.’ I look for someone to make eye contact with. ‘I’ve been searching for that place for months. So the fact Skye’s boy is there is more than a little interesting to me.’

‘Bit of a leap.’

‘I know more about that commune than you can imagine. I know what goes on there and who’s running it. And I’m not on board with you taking one of their kids and bringing him into my home.’ No more pussyfooting around.

‘Mark, I get it. But Dad’s decided.’