‘Okay, guys.’ Robbo clapped his hands. ‘Let’s get on with training.’

Afterwards, Leon walked back to his car, feeling weary. He threw his boots in the back then went round to get in. On the driver’s side, in black capital letters, were spray-painted words: Piss Off Parkie.

His whole body sagged as he slid in behind the steering wheel. Standing up for what you believed didn’t pay around here. No prizes for guessing whose artwork it was, but a paint job would fix it. The only problem would be driving to work tomorrow—maybe he would leave in the dark.

25

25

Dad might never have come home if it wasn’t for Trudi. She came to see Mum on Wednesday night when Max was in bed. Mum must have thought he was asleep but he was trying to work out how to dodge Jaden tomorrow at school. Jaden wanted him to steal chocolate now. The other day it was an icy pole. Max was getting more and more nervous about the stealing. He must be good at it—Miki never said anything. But sometimes she looked at him strangely and it made him feel bad. He didn’t know how to stop.

He heard a knock at the door and Mum’s footsteps going down the hall to see who it was. Then she said, ‘Hello, Trudi.’

‘Hi, Wendy. Can I come in? I’ve brought you some soup.’

There was a pause before Mum responded. ‘That’s nice. But you didn’t have to, you know. I can cook.’

‘I know, but you must be so busy looking after two kids on your own.’

‘Better than having to look after three.’

Max wondered what she meant.

‘I made a big pot tonight, and I had plenty to spare,’ Trudi said. ‘Thought you could use it.’

‘That’s kind. Come on in.’

Max heard the floorboards creaking as Mum and Trudi walked through to the kitchen.

‘Kids are in bed,’ Mum said.

‘Okay. I’ll keep my voice down.’

He heard the scrape of chairs being pulled out. The swish of the tap running. The hiss and rumble of the kettle. The low murmur of voices. But he couldn’t hear what they were saying, so he slid out of bed and crept down the hallway.

‘Are you going to let Shane come back soon?’ Trudi was asking.

‘Why would I after he killed those pups?’

‘It was a terrible thing. But he’s done it before and you didn’t throw him out.’

‘It’s different this time. The kids were attached. And he did it to get back at Max. Who’s supposed to be the adult here?’

‘I thought he looked miserable at the festival.’

‘Didn’t stop him from getting into a fight with those greenies.’

‘That was just pent-up emotion. All the boys have been upset about the eagles’ nest.’

‘Shane doesn’t need an excuse.’