‘He did. His body just couldn’t go any further, it was his time. And to be perfectly honest with you, it was a bit of a relief. Mum’s lonely and heartbroken, but she’s no spring chicken either, and couldn’t keep caring for him.’

Towards the end, Manolis had dreaded visiting his parents’ house. His father, emaciated and weak, was effectively bound to his battered armchair. Meanwhile, Maria laboured to maintain her impeccable standards of cleanliness and hygiene, and somehow satisfy her husband’s many rules and demands. Steeped in cultural expectations, Greek women engaged in a game of competitive hardship as a means of gaining prestige in their gossip-hungry communities. When Con finally died, Maria – as with all Greek widows in black – made her husband a saint.

‘I think returning to Cobb may be just what I need,’ Manolis said.

‘Your soul,’ said Vera.

‘Reckon so,’ agreed Rex. ‘And you say you think you knew Molly?’

‘Might have. I seem to remember the name. I think she was in the class above me at school.’

Vera tut-tutted. ‘Poor girl. Such a tragic life. Still, you reap what you sow.’

‘Ma.’ Rex glared at his wife.

‘How’d you mean?’ Manolis asked.

‘Do not be deceived,’ Vera said. ‘God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.’

‘Galatians,’ said Sparrow.

‘I’m Orthodox,’ said Manolis hesitantly.

‘That’s good,’ Vera said. ‘Still Christian, yep. We were at church this morning, but I couldn’t tell you the last time I saw Molly there. She was like a daughter to us, once upon a time. Somewhere along the way, she strayed from the righteous path and drifted away from the flock.’

‘Ma —’

‘Oh hush, Pa. The detective probably wants to know these things.’

Manolis nodded. Sparrow freshened his stein. Rex grunted lightly.

‘I’m not one for gossip.’ Rex exhaled. ‘And besides, her body’s barely cold, her spirit can still hear us.’

‘Molly was never quite the same after Patrick died,’ Vera said. ‘And frankly, neither was I. But she really should’ve known better.’

‘She was probably just profoundly lonely,’ said Manolis.

‘From what I heard, the kids at school absolutely adored her,’ Rex said. ‘And those kids need a good teacher in this town.’

‘Specially the black kids,’ said Sparrow.

‘Teachers, doctors, cops, it’s hard to attract any professionals to Cobb,’ Rex breathed. ‘Drunks and druggies seem to like the place, fairly flock to it, really thrive here. You couldn’t get any more committed or professional-grade scum than you do in Cobb, and we’re only producing more by the day. So, despite her flaws, Molly was needed.’