‘Better get home soon, I reckon.’

But he was reluctant to leave. He looked at the sun as it sank over the falls and he let his feet dip beneath the cold water. When Amy started to shiver, her chubby legs quaking, he picked her up and cuddled her to his chest again. ‘Sorry, sweetheart. Didn’t think.’ He swaddled her in a towel and got into the car, put her on his lap and drove down the dirt road back to his waiting family, eyeing the kangaroos that lined the side of the track.

The house had all its lights on, as did the shed. The verandah, though, was still in half-darkness, making for an odd contrast. As though they’d forgotten he was out. A pig carcass swung from the hook at the end of the verandah, near his room, illuminated by the lights behind it. Clearly fresh. Probably Brendan’s doing.

The shed shone so bright in the dark he had to squint as he approached. He shielded his eyes. The shed was enormous, bigger than the house. He could see Brendan in there through the gap in the front door as he pulled up. He would be out there working with him soon, he knew.

On hearing the car, Brendan stopped what he was doing, wiped his brow with the back of his gloved hand and came outside, clomping towards the car. ‘Where the hell have you been?’

‘Boolarra,’ Sidney said, as he got out of the car with his daughter.

‘Yeah, well, you’re doing the rest of the bloody night yourself. I’ve been out here since early on.’

‘You didn’t wake up till past lunch.’

This made Brendan laugh. He came towards Sidney and wrapped his brother in a headlock.

Sidney, cradling his daughter, couldn’t push his older brother off. He scrambled to keep Amy safe, being as gentle as he could with her beneath his brother’s aggression. Noticed his brother’s hands were bandaged, close as they were to Sidney’s eyes, some of the blood on the knuckles leaking through. Beating on somebody, or something. ‘Watch it! Brendan, I’ve got Amy.’

‘You gonna keep going by yourself out here or what? I need a break.’

‘After I get her down.’

‘After you get her down. Where is she? Come here, sweetie.’ Without asking, he levered the infant from Sidney’s hands. The rough way he handled her made Sidney give her up quickly, more concerned for her welfare than his own. She snuggled into her uncle, who, much to Sidney’s dismay, she seemed to love dearly. ‘Look at her, mate, she’s freezing her arse off out here. What’re you doing takin’ her swimming this time of year? Look at her.’

‘I’m taking her in for a warm bath. Give her here.’

‘Reckon she needs her mum.’

‘She’s right. Alright? Give her back.’

Brendan, grinning, swung her up in his hands above his head and held her there, as though he were a child playing with a ball. Sidney, too short to reach, made no effort to jump and retrieve her.