I turned to the coffee machine and picked up two empty milk jugs, the last dregs of froth coating their insides, took them over to the sink to rinse them.

‘Hey, Nones.’

I looked up. Dex was standing by the sink, arms crossed, leaning against the wall. I frowned, letting the jugs fill and then turning the tap off. ‘What?’

‘I need some wine.’

I rolled my eyes. ‘Don’t we all?’

‘Ha ha,’ he drawled. ‘No, we’re all out of merlot in the kitchen. For the rib eye.’

‘And you’ve forgotten where it’s kept out the back?’

He shifted. ‘I can’t find it.’

I pushed a brush into the first jug, ran it around the edges. Tepid milky water spilled out over my hands. ‘Third shelf, under the pinot.’

‘I looked there.’

‘Look again,’ I said, emptying the jug and starting on the second one. ‘I’m busy.’

‘You have to go down there to stock anyway, don’t you?’

‘Yeah. To stock the bar.’

He sighed. ‘When did you get so unhelpful, Winona? I remember when you used to bring me a coffee at the start of every shift, and I didn’t even have to ask.’

‘We’re all young and foolish once. Just look at Emma.’

He didn’t answer, but he didn’t move either. I emptied the second jug and held it up, giving in because I knew he wouldn’t. ‘Fine,’ I said, ‘I’ll go down in a sec.’

‘You’re a gem.’ He pushed off the wall. ‘Truly.’

‘Fuck off.’

‘I mean it. Hey …’ He put his hand out, pressed a thumb into my arm and rubbed. I stiffened at the unexpected contact. ‘You’ve got some coffee grounds there.’

I pulled my arm away. ‘Right. Thanks.’

‘No, thank you, Nona.’ He fixed his eyes on me, and then walked away. I looked back down at the sink, annoyed, tired, faintly confused.

‘You right, Cait?’ Nic asked from behind me.

I nodded. ‘All good.’

I set both jugs by the sink, turned back to where Tom was sitting. He was watching me, holding his whisky up in front of his face, and when he caught my eye he gave me a smile, but it was small and unsure, and it took me a moment to return it.