‘It was easy to stay on the rails because my rails were smooth and consistent. I lost Mum but I still had Dad.’ She glanced at him, hesitant about saying something that would upset him. ‘It must be very stressful for you, coming back here after so long. You had such a difficult childhood and all the memories are here.’

‘Actually, I think I probably had an easier childhood than you. Everyone expected you to do well, so you had to work hard and deliver or risk disappointing them. No one expected anything but trouble when I was around, so I could create havoc and meet their expectations at the same time.’ He sat up and flung another stone. ‘Your father expected you to be home before dark because he loved you and worried about you, so you didn’t dare go out and paint the town red in case you upset him. My father didn’t give a damn what I did as long as it didn’t involve him.’

‘You must be very upset and angry with your mother for leaving.’

‘Not at all.’ His tone was cool. ‘He beat her every day of their marriage. She had no choice but to get out. She should have done it sooner. Probably would have done if it hadn’t been for me.’

Flora was so shocked by his unexpected confession that it took her a moment to respond. ‘Oh, Conner…’ She’d heard rumours, of course, but no one had ever known for sure. ‘But she left you there. With him.’

‘She had no choice about that. If she’d taken me, he would have followed. Her only chance was to go before he killed her.’

Flora sat for a moment, trying to imagine what it must have been like, and failing. She’d only ever known love. ‘Did he ever…?’ Her voice trailed off and she shook her head and looked away. ‘Sorry, it’s none of my business and I know you hate talking about personal stuff.’

‘Did he ever hit me? Is that what you were about to ask?’ He lay back on the sand and stared into the darkness. ‘Just once. And I was so angry I stabbed a hole in his leg with a kitchen knife. I was six years old at the time. After that he left me alone. I think he was always a bit worried I’d empty the contents of the science lab into his tea. Did you know that science was the only subject I never skipped? I went through a phase of making bombs—blowing everything up. You probably remember that phase. Everyone on Glenmore does.’

Flora hesitated and then reached out and touched his arm, because it seemed like the right thing to do. ‘I can’t imagine what it must have been like for you.’