Mackerel desperately wanted to participate in the conversation – to make it better, fill it with warmth and light. He used to be a great conversationalist, but these days he always felt like he couldn’t find a way in. Even Forest was better at it than he was, although it soon became apparent to all that Forest was falling asleep at the table.

When the boy’s voice stumbled to a halt more or less mid-sentence, Ivy whispered to Shelby, ‘I can’t imagine the culture shock of all this. Poor thing.’ There was a surprisingly bitter tone to her voice.

Mackerel heard a fork clatter to the table and then Shelby had her face in her hands. Kane rushed to her side, and Mackerel rose to follow. Shelby waved them both back to their seats. ‘I’m fine,’ she said.

Kane stayed by her, rubbing her shoulder. ‘It’ll be okay, Mum.’

Shelby reached up to rest her hand on his.

‘Alright, enough of this farce, then,’ said Ivy. ‘Bedtime. You two can stay here tonight. Kane, dear, you’ll share Forest’s room.’ The way she said it, with a sharp look at Forest, now dozing at the table, made Mackerel think he was missing something. ‘And you, Mackerel. Curfew soon, I imagine?’

The dismissal stung, particularly when Kane shot him a look of blame, as though it was his fault he couldn’t stay and help comfort his mother.

But it was his fault he had curfew.

He said his goodnights, with Forest stirring awake and giving Mackerel a sleepy wave, and he walked out onto the deck. The sky sparkled with stars. The sound of the waves; the smell of jacaranda. A buzz of insects.

He pulled his vape out of his pocket and sucked in a cloud.

‘How did you like dinner, dear?’ Ivy appeared at his side, startling him.

She looked at the vape, then held out her hand. ‘Give it here.’

Obedient, he passed it over. She examined it, took a couple puffs, then handed it back with a cough. ‘What are you, twelve years old? It tastes like lollies!’

Why was she out here? What did she want? He and Ivy didn’t do small talk.

He tried to speak, but his throat had closed over.

‘What did you think of Forest, dear?’ said Ivy. ‘Did he look okay to you?’

‘He looked tired. I don’t reckon he’s been sleeping.’

Ivy grunted. ‘You obviously haven’t heard. Good, that means the police know how to keep their mouths shut. For your information, Forest snuck out last night, evaded a police guard – which I did not authorise – and went for a wander around Shacktown.’

‘What? Did anything happen to him?’ gasped Mackerel.

‘Yes, sadly Forest got abducted all over again, and is currently being held captive . . . Dimwit, clearly nothing happened!’

Mackerel tried to respond but Ivy spoke over him.