Miki wasn’t sure why Kurt had banished her from the shop. Whatever the reason, it worried her. She hovered behind the door, trying to work out what was bothering him by seeking clues from the way he spoke to the customers. Wendy and Steph came in for coffee after the school drop-offs, their voices mingling with the hiss of the espresso machine. A while later, she heard Leon ordering chips while Kurt attempted a half-friendly conversation, which was unusual.

After Leon departed, Kurt called her back in to serve. She was wiping benches when Mooney arrived. He glanced at her coldly then beckoned to Kurt, who followed him outside. Miki felt a twinge of anxiety. Why would Mooney want to talk to her brother? It wasn’t as if they were friends.

The men stood on the kerb looking at the street, so Miki couldn’t see their faces. Kurt was taller than Mooney, thicker through the shoulders, slimmer at the waist, muscular from weights training under the shop. Mooney was doing most of the talking, and whatever he was saying upset Kurt: there was tightness in his squared shoulders and short nods. When Mooney was done, they shook hands—another aberration—then Mooney stared at Miki through the window, something victorious and mocking in his eyes.

Kurt came in bristling with anger. ‘I’m going to the forest,’ he snapped. ‘You will look after the shop.’

Sweat pricked her armpits. ‘Can’t it wait till Monday?’

‘No. I have to go now.’

In the past she would have let it go, but not today. ‘Is anything wrong?’

His gaze was so harsh, she couldn’t help shrinking away. ‘Mooney said he saw you in Leon’s car the other day. Driving somewhere. What the fuck’s going on?’

Her gut lurched, but she kept her face very still. ‘He must have been mistaken,’ she said, stiff with fear. ‘I was here.’

‘Don’t lie. I know you have a key and you’ve been going out. I changed the locks, but you’ve still been escaping. Mooney’s telling the truth. How are you getting out?’

Denial was the only option. ‘It’s not true.’

Kurt’s face was storm-dark. He was like Father in a rage. ‘Get out the back,’ he spat. ‘We’ll talk there.’

Miki had no choice but to go. She heard him lock the shop doors.

In the kitchen, he pointed to a chair. ‘Sit.’

She sat.

‘The truth,’ he growled. ‘I want to hear it.’

She remained silent, quaking inside.

He slapped the table hard. ‘Speak, Miki. I’m waiting. What’s going on? Have you been fucking that guy?’

She sprang to her feet, outraged. ‘Of course not.’

Kurt pressed her down, nostrils flaring. He gripped her arm, nails digging into flesh. Pain flashed behind her eyes and she looked away.