I felt a pang of apprehension. Please God don’t let me get involved in a custody dispute. ‘Right. Okay. But legal proceedings always take a while, so in the meantime we should focus on making the current situation better for your son.’ Seeing that she was still lost in some kind of revenge fantasy, I asked, ‘Do you have any books at home?’

‘Books?’

‘Picture books.’

‘Of course!’ A flash of annoyance crossed her face. ‘Aaron loves his books.’

I had my doubts about that. As far as I could see, he didn’t even know how to turn a page. But I’ve lost track of how many parents have told me their children love books.

‘Great!’ I smiled and nodded. ‘So when you’re reading to him, you should ask him questions. And encourage him to ask questions too.’

‘Joyce won’t do that. She never lets him talk when she’s reading. Not that she reads to him much. Says she’s too busy.’

It was obvious Krystal couldn’t stay off the topic of her ex and his mother. Every time I tried to shepherd her away from it, she would circle back. She couldn’t seem to focus on anything for very long; I wondered if it was stress, fatigue or ADHD. She kept talking about her future plans: how she was going to move into a townhouse. Study part-time. Sign Aaron up for soccer.

I found it almost impossible to pin her down. At last I gave up, and told her to call me if she needed help with Aaron. ‘We’re in this together,’ I said, knowing I sounded just like Howard Bradshaw at his smarmiest.

‘You’re right.’ Krystal was clutching my worksheets as I walked her out of the room. ‘Joyce doesn’t understand that. It’s always her way or the highway.’

‘Mmm.’ I could believe it.

‘And Scott’s the same. He won’t let anyone tell him what to do. Except his boss.’ She reached the veranda and leaned into me confidingly. ‘None of those coppers believe a word I say. They all think I’m a lying bitch. But now Scott’s been suspended, maybe they won’t stick up for him anymore. Especially in front of a judge. Don’t you think?’

I didn’t know how to answer. It was none of my business. I was struggling to find the right words when an engine suddenly roared nearby. Tyres screeched. Music blared.

Krystal gasped. ‘It’s him!’

‘What?’

‘It’s Scott! Shit! Look!’

I was already looking. A silver SUV was burning tracks into the road out front. I couldn’t see who was inside, but Krystal seemed to have no doubt.

‘He’s got nothing to do all day, so he’s following me.’ Even as she spoke, the vehicle skidded away in a blast of exhaust fumes. If Scott was the driver, he was doing everything possible to advertise himself.