‘I don’t want you to think I’m apologising for my father in anyway. There’s no excuse for what he did. But my mum knew he was a little unstable. She wasn’t protecting us, I don’t believe that. I don’t believe Dad would hurt me. She was using us to get back at him.’

‘And the other woman?’

‘I hated her. Maybe I still hate her. Maybe she didn’t realise he had a family, but still— ’ white-lipped, teeth gritted, frustration is welling inside of him ‘— if it wasn’t for her we might have been different. I might still have a family. But Mum barely even gave the other woman a second thought. She blamed Dad.’

‘Then what happened?’

He closes his eyes and opens them, a beat longer than a blink. ‘Then we get to my grandparents’ house. Mam’s sister still lived there. I remember getting inside and thinking it’s so warm. The fire was blazing. Grandpa was out in the yard, chopping wood. I had my bear under my arm and my younger sister was so little she was barely walking by that stage. I remember Mam and Grandpa arguing. I remember them putting us upstairs in a room with toys then I could hear them arguing louder.’

‘You remember it all clearly?’

He licks his lips. His eyes rise to the ceiling.