Alan shook a fist at him, so James retreated to their bedroom, flicked his brother’s bedside light on and got into his own bed, jumper, shoes and all.

Then came the distant sobbing, as Dad tended to Alan’s wounds. James shut his eyes and waited for the smelly linen around him to warm up.

Later, he woke to the sound of his father putting Alan into bed.

‘Drink this,’ Dad said. Alan slurped at whatever it was, and after more groaning, drifted off to sleep.

Throughout their slow ascent to dawn, whenever he woke, James whispered Alan’s name loud enough to disturb him, and waited until he heard breathing, just to check his brother was still alive.

Five 2005

FIVE
2005

James was halfway back to Kippen in the hire car when his father’s number lit up the screen of his mobile phone. He pulled over in the shade of a culvert and picked it up.

‘Hi, Dad.’

‘Where are you?’

‘I don’t know,’ James lied. ‘Somewhere on the highway.’

‘You can stay with me. There’s always a bed made up for you,’ Dad said, his voice gravelly. ‘Funeral’s tomorrow. Eleven o’clock. Do you remember which church?’

James pictured the Presbyterian spire in town. ‘Need me to call anyone?’

‘No, I’ve told all the cousins. Your brother’s coming.’

‘Does he know I’m coming?’ James said.

‘Well, I didn’t know you were coming until just now,’ his father said.

‘If you want to see Alan, don’t tell him I’ll be there.’

‘Now listen, none of that,’ Dad said, and coughed.

James watched a kangaroo slip through a hole in his uncle’s boundary fence.

‘Look, Dad, I don’t reckon I’ll make it all the way up there today.’

‘Well, I suppose you can afford to waste good money on a motel,’ his father said. ‘Listen, we need to talk while you’re home.’

‘Alright,’ James said, pulling a face.

‘Your cousin made me his executor, so the best thing is to chat to me before you get into anything with Bill and Doris. I’ll tell you what Tony’s will says when I see you.’

‘Okay.’

‘Goodo. Well, don’t drive all night, son.’

James scrunched his face into a knot and released it with a frustrated grunt.

Retired top cop sits on family secrets.

As he accelerated, he pressed the radio into life just as a weather report wrapped up, before a bright and camp country song filled the car.

The sight of Kippen in the afternoon light was less welcoming than it could have been. Farmers were heading back to properties in their utes, their dogs leaning into the rush of air, anticipating home.