‘Ah—New South Wales,’ I said.

A click at the other end of the line was followed by a crisp, ‘Where is your emergency?’

I recited my address, edging back into the living room. Scott and Joyce were silent. Had they left? I could see movement behind the grubby gauze curtain hanging across the front window.

‘What is your emergency?’

‘Uh—hang on…’ I hurried over to the window and peered through it. Yes: there they were. Trudging down the drive towards their car.

‘It’s all right,’ I told the operator. ‘They’re leaving.’

‘I beg your pardon?’

‘Someone was trying to break in, but they’re leaving now. Thanks. I’m sorry.’

For the next few hours my dinner slowly congealed on the kitchen table as I waited to see if the Rooneys would come back. It didn’t matter about the food—I’d lost my appetite. I sat up until half past eleven with my phone in my lap, ears pricked, eyes peeled. But I heard no one creeping around the garden. No one whispering in the dark.

Before finally going to bed, I turned on the outside lights and stuck chairs under the doorhandles. I put my phone and my knife on the bedside cabinet. I arranged empty beer cans where they were sure to be kicked by an intruder.

Then I hardly slept a wink for the rest of the night.

2019

2019

IT WAS TEN o’clock on Saturday morning.

The boys’ beds were stripped. Their bags were packed. They were washed, dressed and ready for the passing-out parade. Shaun had been drilling them since seven-thirty. ‘Don’t let your mates down,’ he’d pleaded. ‘Don’t ruin their efforts. You’re all in this together and it isn’t a joke. Your families will be watching. Show ’em what you’re made of. Show ’em what you can accomplish.’

I’d been even busier than the boys—cleaning toilets, washing sheets, baking scones, arranging chairs on the parade ground. Ali and Marcus had lent a hand with the chairs, but no one helped me with the food. I was still frantically slicing melons when I heard three familiar blasts from a horn. I glanced at the kitchen clock. The ferry was bang on time.

But that was okay. The parade was scheduled for ten-thirty. The fruit and cakes and sandwiches wouldn’t be served till eleven. I still had an hour before the hordes descended on my morning tea.