‘So is this true what I hear about Jamie being a vege-bloody-tarian?’ Roger asked.

Daniel went for his glass, but it was empty. No hiding there.

‘You know what they say about vege-bloody-tarians?’ Roger asked, knocking Daniel’s knee with the back of his hand.

‘Shut up, arsehole,’ Daniel said, pushing back with his knee. ‘Get yourself back on your side of the border, before I lock you up for the night.’

It was time. He stood, found his estranged wife’s back, and crossed the floor towards her, dodging Doris and Bill doing one of their little bouncy moves. As he approached, he thought about trying to make a joke out of the word “estranged”, but as soon as she turned and locked eyes with him, all joking drained away.

‘Time we had a dance, eh?’

Beck blinked and her bottom lip disappeared under the top one. ‘Alright,’ she said.

‘We need to talk about the boys,’ he said, reaching out his hand.

She took it.

It seemed stupidly easy after all the years of drama, guiding her upright, taking a few steps into the small crowd, and enfolding her into him quickly before anything looked too awkward. She placed one hand on his right shoulder, where it fitted with speed, and he led them off.

It had the feeling of driving an old car for the first time in ages, although she kept her head turned to the side instead of resting it on his chest the way she used to.

‘Well, it’s all gone off well, hasn’t it?’ he said.

She nodded.

‘They’ll be getting away soon, I suppose, and we can all go to the pub.’

She turned her head to look where they were going, like she suddenly didn’t trust him, and he noticed her scent. Not like the old days. This was something new.

‘Listen, Beck.’

‘Hmm?’ she replied, just the same way she always did, allowing him space to form the words.

‘It’s time for both the boys to go to my old school,’ he said.

She stiffened and looked up at him, squeezing her eyes the way she always did when she was about to start hammering him with questions.

‘You promised,’ he said before she could start up. ‘We agreed they’d board for their senior years, and I’ve hung onto the money from selling most of The Mulgas to pay for it.’

Beck dropped her gaze and he felt the subtle pushback in her hands, so he held them a little tighter.

‘Alan’s ready,’ she said. ‘But Jamie’s too young.’

They’d run out of space, so Daniel manoeuvred Beck the other way and she suddenly had to take a few steps backwards. Only once they’d reached a clear spot near the bar did she settle.