ANDRES TRUNDLED DOWN THE laneway to his house. He felt a welcoming warmth of reassurance when he saw the soft glow of light spilling onto the front veranda from the windows. Wedges of light streamed from the doddy haus built at the side of the house. He was surprised that the Gothic-pointed window above the front door was in darkness since, on a normal night, he and his brother would be upstairs getting ready for bed.

Ahead of Andres, the laneway forked. One branch of the drive led to the house, wh...