“Well, if we each have a toothbrush we’ll need somewhere to put them. So, we could buy a cup to put them in and then maybe that cup will need a shelf so it doesn’t get in the way on the sink. Then if we’ve got a nice shelf, we’ll have more room to store a few extra things like the toothpaste and deodorant and scissors and wash foam. Maybe put a mat down on the floor so our feet don’t get cold standing there. You know, start building up a home.”

Cooper dug his hands down the seat of his jeans. “Deodorant?”

“Really? Is that your takeaway from all this?”

“OK. But once we’ve got all the things, then what do we do?”

“I don’t really know how long we’ll be here before we make the permanent move. Nobody’s mentioned it yet.”

“After that, though. In the long run.”

But Peter wasn’t too sure. “Did Bud ever say what he used to do with your mom in an evening?”

Cooper shrugged. “They watched TV. Yours?”

“Same.”

The largest dark rectangle in the whole apartment was on the wall directly opposite the couch. Two holes were left in the panelling so it must’ve been where the television set had been displayed. The rectangle was huge. Bigger than a window. It was empty now but Peter flicked through the back of the welcome pack and there they were. Televisions. Right at the top of a Coming Attractions list.

Peter stared at the dark rectangle. “Well, that’ll be something when it arrives.”

“I guess.”

Cooper made his way back into the bedroom so Peter proceeded to flick through the rest of the welcome pack trying to work out if he had any right to be angry that Cooper had already spoken to Becky about stuff before he’d had a chance to.

A clock was ticking. Peter turned around and spotted one on the wall next to the extractor fan. He was sure that sound hadn’t been there before, but just like the sheriff’s office, now he was aware of its presence in the room, it wouldn’t leave.

Someone next door cleared their throat and Peter stepped back, alarmed by the sudden intrusion. He set the welcome pack down on the dining table, unsure which was worse, having your privacy invaded this way or invading someone else’s by overhearing them when they don’t know you’re there, when Cooper opened the front door.

“Where are you going?”

Cooper swept his Stetson off the side table. “Out.”

“But there’s a pre-made meal in the refrigerator for us. It just needs re-heating. The microwave goes ping when it’s done apparently, so that should be fun.”

Cooper dug his fists inside his back pockets and said nothing.

“We’ve only just got here, Coop.”

“I need some air is all.”

“But—”