‘Nothing. Jake’s a bit slow.’ My tone was more of an insult than the actual words. Jake coloured slightly and shuffled out of my way. So did Marcus. I emerged from the bathroom onto an empty parade ground; Rhys and Joe were on the veranda of the boys’ dorm, and the kids had vanished.

I quickly worked out where they were, though. I could hear Zac’s shrill protest drifting through one of the dormitory windows.

‘This is a health hazard! We’ll all catch some nightmare disease, and then you’ll be in big trouble!’

‘You’re right. It is a health hazard.’ Shaun’s voice was clear and sharp. ‘And Ms Ayres had to run the risk.’

‘Sir—please, sir—I think Ali’s gunna puke.’

‘If Ali pukes, you can clean it up.’ Ignoring the howls of outrage, Shaun continued, ‘Don’t blame me. Blame whoever broke in.’

‘Sir! Sir! It was Connor!’

‘Fuck you! I did not!’

‘Mr Pusnik!’ That was Shaun again. ‘Ten push-ups. Now.’

I didn’t want to hear any more, so I swerved towards the kitchen. Warren followed me, with Marcus and Jake in tow. Except for butter and milk, I’d laid out everyone’s breakfast the night before. The kitchen benchtops were piled high with spreads, fruit, bagged loaves and tubs of cereal. ‘I’m hungry,’ said Marcus, as he trudged past. No one responded.

I went into the pantry and removed a mop, a bucket, two pairs of rubber gloves, a handful of rags, some tile cleaner and a bottle of disinfectant. It didn’t take long. Then Warren handed me the toolbox.

‘These two boys have an apology to make,’ he said. ‘Marcus? You first.’ There was steel in his voice.

Marcus shot him a confused glance. They were about the same height, but Warren was wiry, weathered and as hard as a rock. Marcus, with his raw skin and extra weight, seemed more brittle somehow.

‘Sorry,’ he mumbled.

‘Do it like a man,’ said Warren. ‘Look her in the eye.’

‘Sorry, miss.’

‘Not good enough.’ Warren folded his arms.

Marcus took a deep breath. His face was flushed. ‘It was a dumb thing to do and I wish I never did it and I’m sorry for all the work.’

‘Jake?’ said Warren.

Jake tucked a lock of wavy hair behind one ear and offered me a soulful look.

‘I’m really, really sorry, Miss Ayres.’ He spoke softly, with an earnestness that set my teeth on edge. ‘I guess I must have convinced Marcus to do this, even though I didn’t really mean to because I was joking. But I was stupid not to realise that other people are stupid too.’

Marcus frowned. Warren said, ‘Jake.’