Comfy enough for the likes of you. Even got an old dead ewe in there to rest on. Get to know her—you’ll be skinning her in the morning. Her and her dead lamb.’ Both voices laughed. ‘If you’re lucky you’ll get to eat her as well. First bit of decent meat you’ll have had for God knows how long.’ And the two of them continued to laugh as he struggled frantically to clamber onto the deck of the truck, worried even this cold comfort would take off without him. The driver, the older man, revved the engine a couple of times and their amusement grew as the boy became more desperate in his efforts. They fuelled their fun at his expense, passing between them and taking turns drinking from a bottle of beer.

The drive was long, the road was rough, the driver was drunk and, after a moment of revulsion, the boy was thankful for the presence of the dead sheep. The first and only soft thing he’d found to cling to since arriving in this gloomy place. By leaning back into the carcass the worst jolts were partly absorbed. He spread his legs and clung into the sheep’s fleece.

It was very dark. The only light came from the truck headlights, fitfully piercing the black distance. At least the rain had stopped.

‘What time do you call this, then? You’re late,’ snapped the woman.

‘This here’s the wife. Mrs Pearson to you, boy. I’m Mr Pearson. That’s what you’ll be calling us. Understand?’

‘You’re late,’ the woman said again.

‘You can blame him, Mum. Bloody train was late. It’s all his fault,’ and the young man winked at the older.

‘Don’t you swear in front of me,’ said the woman.

‘Sorry, Mum. But it’s all his fault. And you can call me Mr Pearson, too, kid. No one’s ever called me that before. Reckon there’s got to be a first time and I like the sound of it.’

‘Show him where he’s to bunk down, Darcy. Then bring him back to the kitchen. Mum and me, we’ll lay down the ins and outs of what he’s to do. Got the meal ready, woman? Could eat a bloody horse and chase the rider.’

‘Better see if he’s got dry things in that bag of his, son. Don’t want the little blighter sick on us the minute he gets here. God knows what germs he’s brought with him so don’t you be going too close,’ said Mrs Pearson.

‘No fear of that, Mum.’ Darcy Pearson grinned. ‘Come on, kid.’

‘Thank you,’ said Jake, for no particular reason.

‘Thank you who?’

‘Thank you er…Mr Pearson.’

‘That’s better.’ Darcy grinned again. ‘Come on.’

‘And don’t be long if you want to eat,’ said his mother.

The room was very small.