‘Good one,’ Uncle Daniel said, stoked up the hot coals and wiped his hands on the old towel hanging by the door. ‘But he’s coming over after tea, yeah?’

Tony shrugged. ‘Yeah, probably.’

‘What does that mean?’ Uncle Daniel said.

Alan looked away. Tony hated it when his uncle tensed up.

‘I can go and get him,’ Tony offered, ‘but there’ll be some kind of drama.’

‘He’s supposed to be staying here,’ Uncle Daniel said.

Alan and Tony nodded. ‘Well, I can go get him, if you like?’

His uncle looked a bit trapped. He shrugged and pushed at sausages.

‘He’s been a sook ever since we got on the train,’ Alan offered.

‘What’s his problem?’ Uncle Daniel asked, exasperated.

Tony shrugged. His uncle looked at Alan, but he shrugged too.

‘Lack of protein?’ Tony suggested, and Uncle Daniel laughed, so they all laughed and looked out at the car.

‘Bloody good job Bill did on it. Did he need to get in new parts?’

‘I dunno,’ Tony said. ‘Been a big secret.’

‘Bill’s bloody good at keeping secrets,’ Uncle Daniel said. ‘They said Doris didn’t even know she was getting married to him until she found him at the altar!’. They all laughed. ‘You can stay and eat, at least,’ he added, looking at Tony.

‘Nah, Mother will want me around there for tea, night before the wedding, you know?’

His uncle nodded. ‘Footy’s on the telly, so me and Alan’ll cook this lot up and just kick back. Don’t tell me you’re not tempted on your last night of freedom?’

Tony laughed. ‘Shit yeah.’

‘Grab me another beer wouldya?’ his uncle said.

Tony leaned in and got one, while Uncle Daniel lined the empty bottle up with the others on the edge of the verandah boards. ‘Shit, these snags’ll be done quick,’ he added, turning them fast.

Now was his only chance.

‘So, who topped himself over at Kippen Bridge?’ Tony asked.

‘Some fucking poofter,’ Uncle Daniel said. ‘We haven’t had one of those jump for a while. First one I ever saw hit the ground instead of the river. Fucking mess,’ he added, shaking his head and turning steaks.

‘Who was it?’ Tony asked, sucking beer through his teeth.

‘Nobody we know. Found the car in the scrub,’ his uncle said. ‘Plates told us he was from over the border. Left it to the boys up there to tell the family.’

‘Yeah,’ Tony said, and finished his beer in one go. ‘Well, I gotta go. Mum’ll be wondering where I am.’

‘Right you are,’ his uncle said.

‘Uncle Daniel?’

‘Yeah mate?’

‘I’ve been meaning to ask you something.’

‘Not having second thoughts about the big day?’

‘Nah,’ Tony said, and laughed. ‘Nothing like that.’

‘Well, spit it out,’ his uncle said, and winked at Alan.

‘Well, it’s pretty last-minute, but I wondered if you’d be my best man?’