‘I won’t be alone, I’ll have Zeus. I’m fine.’

‘Dogs don’t count,’ she said.

‘Okay . . .’ He thought through his options. ‘Call Uncle Mack to come pick me up.’

‘Mackerel?’ said Shelby.

Forest sat down at the table. ‘Yes. Will you please call him?’ He smiled, showing all of his teeth. ‘I’d like to spend the day with Uncle Mack.’

‘Alright . . . I’ll see if he’s free.’ Shelby went to make the call.

Why did she sound so suspicious? Surely it wasn’t suspicious that he wanted to spend time with his uncle? Had he missed something?

Some part of him felt guilty, but it was a genius idea, making Mackerel the cure-all for Forest Dempsey’s anxiety. The man seemed the easiest member of the Dempsey family to manipulate, the weakest link. Now he just had to really win Mackerel over to his side. And he knew just how to do it.

CHAPTER 26

MACKEREL

Mackerel felt like a terrible human being, because his main concern as he drove towards Ivy’s house was that this was another day of lost income.

If Forest needs you, you need to be there, he thought. You’re the only one he trusts.

But that hadn’t made letting Big Mane down feel any better. Mackerel wiped his sweaty face – he hadn’t slept well, and that always made him anxious – and he also had this suspicion that Ivy would be waiting, ready to put her question to him again . . .

I can’t go back to that world, he thought. I’m no good at it anymore.

That was a lie, and he knew it.

I’m a normal citizen. That’s all I want.

That was still a lie, but with a better shape.

Lost in those thoughts, before he knew it he had pulled into the tree-covered street and came to a stop outside the front gate of Safe Harbour.

Mackerel rolled down the window. The day was looking to be a scorcher – the flowers buzzed with bees.

Forest was waiting just on the other side of the gate. When he saw Mackerel he waved, then ran over to climb into the car.

‘Where’s the dog?’ said Mackerel.

‘Thought it’d be good for him to spend some time with Kane,’ said Forest. ‘And I wanted some time alone with you.’

Mackerel felt a smile growing at the corner of his lips. He pulled away from the kerb before Ivy appeared. ‘How are you doing, kid?’

Forest shrugged. ‘Take a guess.’

‘Pretty shit?’ Mackerel shifted in his seat. ‘Anywhere you wanna go today?’

Mackerel was suddenly much happier about spending the day with Forest – hell, with the money Shelby had given him, they could drive to the other side of Tassie and back. As long as he was back in time for curfew. The thought of leaving Shacktown was suddenly very, very appealing.