‘Well, Crystal, you’ve taken these goods.’ I glanced at the make-up. ‘That’s theft. We’re going to have to charge you.’

‘No! He’ll put me in a home!’ Crystal burst into tears.

Behind us, the chemist fluttered like a little bird. ‘Oh no,’ he said, ‘I wouldn’t want her to go into a home, and her uncle comes in here for his prescriptions …’

Crystal spoke over him. ‘I just wanted to look nice,’ she wailed, working herself up.

‘There are other ways,’ said Wozza, rolling his eyes. ‘Get a job.’

And that was all it took.

Crystal fired up like a buzz saw. ‘It’s all right for you to say that!’ she said, voice loud and angry. ‘Who’d want to employ me? I tried at the fish ’n’ chips and the roadhouse. Even Target said no. They all want experience.’ She elongated the word. ‘So how am I supposed to get experience when no one will give me a chance?’ She looked from me to Wozza to the chemist, a challenge in her eyes. By this time, her mascara was creeping down her cheeks in angry black tears.

I knew it wasn’t easy for kids here. I felt for Crystal and plucked a tissue from a box on the table and handed it over. The girl dabbed at her eyes.

‘Um … I might have a suggestion,’ said the chemist. ‘I have a part-time job going here. Dawn is heading back to uni. She’ll be studying in the city and only here on weekends.’ He nodded towards the girl in the cardigan who’d been standing wide-eyed, silently watching the drama.

Crystal wiped her eyes, a swipe at each side, and stared at the chemist. ‘You would give me a job after … ?’ She looked at the make-up.

‘That depends,’ said the chemist, a kind look on his face. ‘Are you a hard worker?’

‘Yes!’ said Crystal without hesitation. ‘A bloody hard worker … at least, I reckon I would be, if you gave me a chance.’

‘And are you old enough to work a part-time job?’

‘Yep! I’m fourteen and ten months!’

‘That settles it then.’ The chemist came over and held out his hand. ‘I’m Greg Filmore. You can call me Mr Filmore. When can you start?’

‘Now?’

Filmore laughed. ‘I assume you’re on school holidays next week? Come at nine on Monday.’

Crystal stood up. ‘It’s a deal.’ She shook his outstretched hand.

‘Whoa there, Crystal,’ said Wozza. He turned to the chemist. ‘Are you sure you don’t want to press charges?’

‘Against my new assistant? No, I don’t.’ He smiled warmly at Crystal.

What a nice bloke, I thought. I just hoped he wasn’t going to get more than he bargained for. ‘Thanks, Mr Filmore,’ I said, shaking his hand. ‘We’ll take it from here.’