A blurred image appeared to him of a suburban back garden ramp­ant with honeysuckle and a huge peach tree. A young girl was under the tree playing jacks with knuckle bones saved from the Sunday roasts of more affluent times. From this scene, his mind wandered inside and a brawny woman was elbow deep in soap suds, tangled hair falling about her face — a hard chiselled, tight lipped face. And then a dog appeared, a pup, a black and white kelpie border collie cross. The pup was growlirrg and chewing a stick.