‘My report?’ She sounded vague. But then something clicked in her head. ‘My report! Right! Thanks!’

I shoved it at her. ‘This doesn’t include what happened today. But it’s pretty comprehensive.’

‘Thank you so much.’

‘Hey, Aaron.’ He was lying under a desk, kicking at the desktop above him. ‘Your mum’s here.’

He didn’t respond. Krystal glanced around nervously, as if she was worried about eavesdroppers. But the only other child in the classroom was Kayla, whose mother often picked her up late.

‘Robyn?’ said Krystal. ‘Can I ask you something?’

‘Sure.’

‘About your garage.’ She began to fidget as I stared at her. ‘It’s pretty big, isn’t it? Scott’s best friend’s girlfriend used to rent your house…’

I felt instantly wary. ‘And?’

‘Well…’ The story spilled out of her. She was moving to a new townhouse on the weekend, she said. A good job and her own place would help her in court. She’d been expecting to shift all her stuff on Saturday, but now the agents were saying she wouldn’t get the keys until Saturday night. ‘The thing is, I bought a couch that’s meant to be delivered tomorrow,’ she said. ‘Which is really awkward because Mitch doesn’t have enough space. Especially with us there.’

I could see where this was heading, and I didn’t like it. ‘Why don’t you change the delivery to Sunday?’

‘They don’t deliver on Sundays. And on Monday I’ll be at work.’

‘Couldn’t Mitch take care of things?’

‘He’s volunteering.’ The thump of Aaron’s feet was getting louder; Krystal had to raise her voice again. ‘I was wondering if you could take the delivery tomorrow and keep it for one night. You won’t have to do anything—the furniture guys will dump it and we’ll take it away.’ Her lips peeled back in a tense, ingratiating smile. ‘You live so close to Mitch. And he has a ute. He says you can always borrow it if you need anything shifted. I’m really sorry—this is so annoying. The agent wasn’t clear enough.’

She almost had to shout as Aaron’s feet slammed into the table. It was giving me a headache. I desperately wanted to get rid of him.

‘Fine,’ I said. ‘When’s the van due?’

‘Uh…late morning. I think.’

‘I’ll be there.’ I had nowhere else to go.

‘Oh, thanks. Thank you.’ Tears welled in her eyes. Suddenly she whirled around and screamed, ‘Aaron! Stop it! You’re annoying Miss Ayres!’

‘Fuck off!’ he roared back. Then he scrambled to his feet and pelted from the room.

‘Sorry. I’m so sorry.’ She fluttered around for a moment, like a butterfly or an injured bird, before hurrying after him. I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye.