Something men did to women brought on this reaction. James put the magazines back, got into bed, and, recalling Tony’s broad body, imagined what that might be.

James woke to the sight of coloured lights flickering across the ceiling through the window and the stifled cries of Aunty Doris.

Urgent muttering drew him out of his bed and cautiously towards the kitchen. From the threshold he saw his father in police uniform and Alan wrapped loosely in a bloodied blanket at the kitchen table, one side of his face blackened. Tony hung over the sink wiping blood off his face. In her full-length floral dressing gown, Aunty Doris was making coffee. Uncle Bill was leaning in the doorway of his office.

Still more than half asleep, James whimpered.

‘Hello son,’ Dad said, holding out one large arm.

Drawn to remove the hollow sense that he might have been dreaming, James ran to his father and buried himself in the embrace.

‘Everything’s alright, mate,’ Dad said.

‘What happened?’ James grizzled into his father’s shoulder, scenting fuel and road.

‘Well, young Tony here decided to let Johnny Jones drive him and your brother home, and Johnny Jones hasn’t learned that you never swerve to avoid a roo. If you do, you’re likely to roll your car a few times,’ Dad said, voice deep and in control, like a policeman from the television.

‘No casualties,’ Uncle Bill said.

‘Thank goodness,’ Aunty Doris said, patting Alan on the back. James could see that bleary look in his brother’s eyes that meant tears were on their way, but his aunt wasn’t about to let that happen. ‘Well, young man, let’s get you cleaned up. You’ll be sore in the morning, so I think we should pop you into the bath. Run one for him, Father.’

‘Rightyo,’ Uncle Bill said.

‘Listen, Doris, I reckon I’ll take him home,’ Dad said. ‘Both the boys can come.’

Aunty Doris chewed her lips. ‘Don’t you think they’re better off here? It’s nearly two in the morning.’

‘They can wake up in their own beds and have a sleep in.’

‘But their bags and things...’

James felt his father go rigid.

‘Listen, I had no choice but to cover night duty at the last minute,’ Dad said, almost whining. ‘I want my boys at home at least one night before their mother gets here.’

‘Let them go with Dan, Mother,’ Uncle Bill said.

Aunty Doris nodded. Dad inhaled. James felt the turbulent air coursing inside him.

Alan groaned.

‘This one won’t be getting up tomorrow,’ Dad said, patting his eldest son’s arm.

His aunt shifted her focus to James. ‘Come and get your things.’

He followed as far as the hallway, where he paused and listened.

‘At the bridge, were they?’ Uncle Bill said.

‘Yeah, picking off poofters in the park,’ Dad replied.

One of them sniggered.