Penelope only nodded. They’d been through this the day before. William Kelly had told them first, but Margie had taken great delight in confirming the information to be true through her own network.

‘So,’ Margie said, ‘Phyllis said that Julia said your old man got released. And Julia said Ruth said Jack is quitting the force! She’s so upset, with a baby on the way. Can’t blame him really, though. I heard those blokes who beat him up the other night got released with just a warning. No small wonder in this town. Nothing ever gets prosecuted properly. You know I heard Sharon Wornkin say she didn’t really care about Newbury? Somebody was trying to tell her about their milk getting retested down at the supermarket—you know how Trenton gets with the milk?—and they’d found some abnormalities, or some other word. And she said she didn’t really care. I know the job is hard for her, but I heard her say it. Can you believe that?’

Penelope slowly nodded, trying to pick out the important information.

Margie walked over and sat at the table. ‘You don’t seem too happy about it.’

‘Too happy about what? You said a lot just now, Margie.’

‘Vernon’s release.’

‘Well. I’m glad, I suppose.’

Margie took a mouthful of cereal. ‘I understand that. I was the same with Doug––’

Penelope knew she was about to get the story again, so she said quickly, ‘I was thinking we could play bowls again today.’

Margie stuttered, clearly wanted to continue on. She soon recovered and said, ‘I know it sounds dumb, but I like it when you two fight. I want you to make up with Vernon as soon as possible, don’t get me wrong’—she said without an ounce of sincerity—‘but I really like having you here. Reminds me of when things were a bit better.’

Penelope stood and moved to the sink. She rinsed out her bowl and when she turned around Margie added, ‘Makes me think of your boy. Actually, I meant to say, we should go visit him.’

‘We?’

‘Well,’ Margie said, and looked down at her bowl, ‘I mean, only if you want me to come. But I’d be happy to go with you.’

‘So you can talk about it with everybody?’

Penelope regretted the words the instant they were spoken. Margie’s face sagged, her belly fell forward. She gave a hefty sigh. There was no defiance or defence in her, just acknowledgement. That this was the way it was.

Penelope tried to make amends. ‘You’re right. I guess we should.’

Margie looked up. ‘You’ve just been talking about it a lot and I thought I could go and support you. Help you.’

‘I know.’

‘So if you don’t want me there I won’t be there.’

‘No,’ Penelope said, ‘it was a good idea. I’m sorry. We should go.’

‘After lunch?’

‘How about later this afternoon. That’s visiting hours anyway.’

Margie looked surprised. ‘You know when they are?’

Penelope nodded. ‘We’ll go then.’