Forest Shadows. David Laing

      Jim glanced at the book’s cover and scratched his head. ’Dunno either. It seems kinda strange he’d want something like that on his first day out of jail.’

      ‘That’s what I thought,’ she said. ‘But who knows what he’s thinking these days? I certainly don’t. You see, he made it clear to me on the first day he was locked up that he didn’t want me to visit him, or even call him on the phone. I don’t know why he’s changed his mind now. I could have easily mailed the book to him.’

      Not used to emotional situations like this, Jim was slightly embarrassed. He averted his eyes as he said, ‘I, er, that’s strange.’

      Quenton, a little disturbed with the way the adult conversation was going, sidled over to where Snook and Jars were standing. ‘I’ve got something to tell you.’ He jerked his thumb towards the living room door with a let’s get out of here look.

      Snook could see Quenton was anxious about something. ‘Kitchen,’ he mouthed, pushing Quenton in front of him. Jars, grasping what was happening, followed. Reg and Arnie, who were looking a little confused, tagged along too. Snook’s dad and Madeline, who were in deep conversation, barely noticed their departure.