‘I kind of named him that myself,’ I admit.
He chuckles and sits down on the grass next to me. ‘Roy suits him better.’
‘Who was Freddie? That is, assuming he was named after someone.’
‘Yep, you’re right. Freddie was a German exchange student doing work experience here a few years ago. Before my time.’
‘Oh, right. How long have you worked here?’
‘Two years in January.’
‘And before that?’
‘Sydney Zoo.’
‘You lived in Sydney?’
‘No, I commuted from Adelaide. It’s only a two-and-a-half-hour flight.’
I stare at him in confusion.
‘I’m joking.’ He playfully punches my arm. ‘Yes, I used to live in Sydney.’
I tut. ‘Okay, so that was a stupid question. What’s Sydney like?’
‘It’s great.’
‘Better than Adelaide?’
‘Just different. It’s got a good vibe, but Adelaide’s home.’
‘Is this where you grew up?’
‘Yep. Mount Barker Primary School followed by Mount Barker High, then Adelaide University. I’m a local boy through and through.’
‘Why did you move to Sydney?’ I continue my interrogation.
‘Felt like a change after uni.’
‘Then why did you come back?’ I persist.
‘My nan fell ill. My mum lives in Perth. She doesn’t get along with her mum anyway so I got a job here and came back to keep Nan company.’
‘That was nice of you.’
He shrugs. ‘I liked my nan. A whole lot more than I like my mum, in any case.’
‘Why don’t you like your mum?’
‘She’s a very selfish woman. Always has been. She didn’t want kids. I was a mistake and she made sure I knew it.’
‘That’s awful.’ His tone is flippant, but I still feel on edge. ‘What about your dad?’ I ask hopefully.
‘Who knows?’ He laughs a brittle laugh. ‘Never knew him. I sometimes wonder if my mum even knows who he is.’
I stare at him, shocked. And I thoughtIhad it bad. He gives me a wry smile.
‘Is your nan still around?’ I ask quietly.
