When Fin woke, her father was in the kitchen drinking tea. He never spoke to her after a heavy session at the pub. She made herself a bowl of cereal and checked that her hair hid the bruise on her face. Fin didn't know if he ever remembered hitting her but, sometimes she caught him looking at her with regret in his eyes.

"How much do I owe Sagus?"

Fin frowned at him. This was different.

"You said I owed him money. How much?"

"Fifty. You owe him fifty."

"Have we got fifty?"

"No."

"What about your mother's wedding ring? You still got it, don't you?"

"I'm not selling her ring," Fin whispered.

"You'll do what I fucking tell you!"

"No!"

Findlay strode towards her. Fin stood and rounded the table, so it separated them. "I'm not selling her ring just so you can drink more. I'm sick of your drinking, Dad. I'm sick of you hitting me. I'm sick of you doing this to me!" She pulled the hair away from her face. Tears threatened to escape her eyes. "You need to go to AA! You're supposed to love me and protect me, but you do this to me. One day I'm gonna run away. Then what would you do?"

"I'd be a sight bloody better off, instead of havin' to listen to you bitching at me, you ungrateful little cow! AA my arse! Do you even know what that stands for or is it something you got from the fucking television?" Findlay pointed at the unit. "I'm gonna smash that thing one day! Get the hell out! Go on! Run away!" He threw his head back and laughed. "No bastard will have you anyway. Don't you know that? Go on! Get the hell out!"

Jules followed her as she ran outside, and into the shed, where she sank to her knees behind some bales of hay. The dog licked her face, and then sat on her haunches and whined. The dam of tears Fin had held back overflowed. She leant against the hay and sobbed. The dog came closer and nuzzled her. "I think you're the only one who loves me, Jules." She drew the cattle dog onto her lap. "I hate my life."

When her tears subsided, Fin fed the chooks and collected the eggs. She put fresh hay in the boxes and then snuck inside to get her hat; her father was asleep on his bed in the lounge. For as long as she could remember he had slept there, even though there was a bedroom, painted bright yellow, filled with furniture and floral curtains.

It had never been used since her mother died. Fin had vague memories of bouncing on the bed and jumping into a happy man's arms. She was sure that man had been her father.

Over the years the room had become emptier and emptier. The crystal duchess set was the first thing to disappear. It wasn't until Fin was twelve or thirteen that she understood what was happening to her mother's things. She had hidden the wedding ring, a photo in a beautiful silver frame, and a pair of gold earrings.

Not long ago she took the photo from its hiding place and put it on her duchess, because the memory of what her mother looked like, had faded. She studied the photo for a long time and then buried each detail of her mother's face in her mind, so she'd never forget again.

There were no other photos. He had burnt them. Fin still didn't understand why and she'd never been brave enough to ask. 

For those who aren't Australian:- 

A chook is a chicken.

Thanks for reading. If you liked Fin's story she'd love it if you hit the star or left her a comment. ♥