‘They’re talking about your dad’s new girlfriend,’ Yvonne said, shutting one of the colouring-in books she’d received, registering her lack of interest in it.

‘I know,’ James said.

‘She was there, last night, wasn’t she? Is that why you came over here early?’

He shrugged.

‘Was there much blood?’ Yvonne asked.

‘Alan had more than Tony.’

‘Tony’s only got one scratch on him, I saw it,’ she said.

‘You don’t know what you’re talking about,’ he said, moving to the kitchen without bothering to notice Yvonne’s reaction.

His mother and aunt stopped their gossiping as soon as James appeared, but Mum put her arms out to him.

‘Come and look at the family tree,’ he said.

‘Jamie, you can show off your work when we put it up at the hall,’ Aunty Doris said, starting to clean the spotless sink.

‘I want to see,’ Mum said. ‘He’s gotten very good at English, at school. We might look into some private lessons next year.’

‘In what?’ Aunty Doris said.

‘Creative writing,’ Mum replied as James dragged her up the hallway.

Loud rock music was playing in Tony’s room as they approached. He already had the light on and he was sitting on his bed leafing through a car magazine.

‘Hi,’ he said cautiously.

‘Hello, Tony. It’s safe to venture out now, frock’s all under wraps.’

She leaned over her nephew and pecked him on the cheek, and went to pick up the clothes that had fallen from Alan’s backpack.

‘Where did you spend the night, Jamie?’ she asked.

‘At Dad’s,’ James said, loitering by the end of Tony’s bed.

‘I’m so sorry about the accident, Aunty Beck,’ Tony said, the magazine pulled up over his embarrassed grin, leaving only his eyes looking at her.

‘Well, your dad and Dan crashed a truck below the Kippen Bridge once, not long before we were married.’

‘Oh yeah,’ Tony said. ‘Who was driving?’

‘I don’t remember. I think they were shooting roos,’ Mum said, opening the bathroom door. ‘Have you been cleaning up after yourself in here?’

Tony winked at his cousin. ‘I reckon if Uncle Daniel ever pulls me over for speeding, I’ll remind him of that!’

She laughed as she picked towels off the floor. ‘Hang these up after yourselves, you boys!’ she said. ‘Leanne won’t let you get away with that after next weekend,’ she added, throwing a wet washer at Tony, landing it right on his face.

He yelled in mock outrage and slapped it back at her.

‘How did you get so tanned?’ Tony asked as she peeled the washer off her elbow, laughing.

‘Harbour cruising,’ she replied.