‘There’s a good chance it was Darren.’ I realised Shaun didn’t have all the relevant facts. ‘I know him, you see. I used to teach him.’

Shaun studied me for a moment. His eyes were like little grey theodolites, constantly measuring angles. ‘And he didn’t like you?’

‘Not really.’

He gave a nod and a grunt. Then he began to gather up my fitted sheet, turning it into a bag of rubbish. The reek sent me stumbling backwards.

‘Are you taking that to the laundry?’ I asked.

‘No. I’m giving the boys a life lesson. Don’t worry—you fix that pipe and I’ll report back when we’ve got a result.’ Lifting his pouch full of muck, he grimaced and said, ‘This is going to drip. Do you have any plastic garbage bags?’

I fetched one from the kitchen and held it open while he inserted my sheet into it. ‘Those prawns have to go in the right bin,’ I warned him. ‘We’ve got a system here—’

‘I’m taking them to the dormitory.’ His tone was harsh. ‘The boys can learn to live with them.’

Before I had a chance to say anything, he marched out of the house.

I felt as if a bomb was about to go off.

The bathroom repairs took about half an hour. Replacing the damaged stop tap wasn’t hard, but it needed concentration. I didn’t even notice my stiff joints or wet knees until I’d finished.

The whole process calmed me. I felt less shaky afterwards. There’s nothing like a job well done to give you confidence in yourself. Harassment? Vandalism? Conspiracy? Bring it on. I surveyed my handiwork with grim satisfaction, then went outside to open the shut-off valve.

Shaun was still on the parade ground, haranguing his platoon. Everyone was fully dressed, and there wasn’t a towel to be seen, but some kids looked more dishevelled than others. Aaron was there, slouched in the front row, his wet hair dripping onto his uniform. Behind him Warren was inspecting boots.

‘…and if you think this kind of behaviour is going to get you sent back home, you’re wrong,’ Shaun was saying. ‘For one thing, the next ferry doesn’t come until Wednesday. And for another, I don’t expel people. That’s too easy. If you’re misbehaving, it’s a problem. And I’m here to solve problems, however long it takes.’ He paused for a moment because Warren was approaching him, arms swinging, shoulders back. Warren stopped and saluted, then murmured something in Shaun’s ear.

Shaun gave a nod. Warren saluted again before moving to one side.

‘Mr Stubbs,’ Shaun said.

Marcus was in the front row, big and rumpled, his acne inflamed by soap and hot water. He stiffened and looked around, as if for an escape hatch.