‘Jamie’s the one who needs it more,’ he said. ‘Poor kid’s so bloody confused. A bit of discipline will help him sort out who he is and what he wants to do.’

She cleared her throat and gave a little smile to the people standing along the bar.

‘You know I’m right,’ he said.

‘I don’t think you’re right,’ she said, not taking her eyes off the spectators. ‘Not about Jamie. I want you to let me tell him,’ she added, flicking her gaze right up into his eyes. ‘I’ll do it on our way home tomorrow.’

He hated the idea of home being anywhere other than The Mulgas, especially the tiny suburban rental Beck was paying for while the boys went to the local state school. ‘I was hoping to take them both to the pub tonight,’ he said. ‘You can pick them up from home in the morning.’

Beck dropped her eyes and sighed so deeply that her shoulders lifted and her mouth went slack. Bill and Doris popped up on their left. His brother had enough good grace to say nothing, but Doris fucking smirked. The Jenkinsons were bobbing on their right, his eyes on the floor and hers on the ceiling.

Estranged. Daniel hated the bloody word.

‘So, you’ll let me take them both?’

It seemed as though Beck nodded, but it might have been a little sob.

James was slumped at the side of the toilet bowl. Even with his head between the concrete floor and the brick wall he noticed when the music was turned off and everyone started applauding and shouting good wishes for Tony and Leanne’s departure.

But the sharp sound of footsteps approaching was a sudden indication that he should lock the door.

‘Get out of there,’ Dad said, shoes showing under the cubicle door. ‘What are you hanging around out here for?’

James didn’t move. His father stepped up to the urinal and started to piss.

‘Boys who hang around public toilets get a name for themselves, you know?’

James was halfway to upright when the earth suddenly felt like one vast slope trying to throw him off. He reached for the lock in order to stay upright, flicked it around and let the door drift open.

‘Jamie, did you hear me?’ Dad said, looking over his shoulder while he urinated. ‘There’s always a few fellas in every town who end up sissified from all this kind of stuff,’ he added, shaking off and zipping up. ‘Come on, we’re all going to the pub.’

James groaned.

‘Pull yourself together.’

But James couldn’t shake his fatigue. Dad reacted suddenly, thrusting one arm out, pinning his shoulder to the brick wall and gripping his wrist in a way that sent a spike of pain up his arm.

‘You’re going to boarding school, mate. Your mother’s agreed. You can start next term, with your brother.’