‘Please, drink,’ he says, hunching towards me to drop a bottle of water into my lap. It sits like a cold slug in the dip between my legs as he glides back round us up to the desk.

‘Drink,’ he commands, suddenly sharp. I fumble with the lid, hands slick from burrowing under my legs.

‘That’s better,’ he says as I sip, cringing as a weird mineral aftertaste coats the inside of my cheeks. Who buys water in bottles when you can turn on the tap?

‘Something you will learn, Carly, as you continue to visit with us, is the importance of following a direct order. The importance of doing what you are told, by your superiors, without fear, favour or question.’

I swallow again, even though there’s nothing left in my mouth.

‘Your brother here,’ he says, frowning as the box crackles again, 63‘is one of our most promising recruits. Of course, he would be, being from such decorated, noble military stock…’

I sense Jason stiffening beside me.

‘You see, Jason understands, instinctively and guilelessly, the importance of enabling the challenges we set before him—’

‘So why did you bring me here, then?’ I interrupt, suddenly electric with fury. Yet again, it’s Jason who’s the war hero, except I’m the one stopping Ma killing Kayleigh just by forgetting she’s there one too many times.

The head swings round in surprise, sliding towards me with another creepy laugh-like grin.

‘Spirited too, I see … I like that. I’m not surprised, of course. I would expect nothing less from this particular family.’

I blink at him. His grin looks like it’s been painted on.

‘I understand you have a new baby sister too now, is that right? Little Kayleigh? Gosh, those early months can be so difficult, can’t they…? So emotionally draining and tiring … Now, let me assure you, Carly, we consider it our duty to ensure Jason is able to help provide for you and your sister, given your mother’s, shall we say, struggles…’

He cocks his head to the side again as he stares back at me. My throat closes over.

‘I’d like to make sure Jason can continue to do so,’ he says. ‘From what he tells me, it doesn’t seem like your poor mother is going to be able to do so herself anytime soon. She is lucky to have another daughter as dutiful and intelligent as yourself.’

Now the head swims in front of me as tears prick at my eyes. Don’t talk about Kayleigh, I think. Don’t make this place about her.