Derek dropped his backpack on the grey blanket, staking his claim to the narrow bed. He tested the mattress, gently bouncing up and down. Good. Nice and firm. He couldn’t stand anything too soft these days. The foam ones always left him with a crick in his back. He wanted to take his shoes off and have a lie down but dinner was ten minutes away.
‘G’day, Derek. How are ya?’ Dave, a worker at the Warrimoo Men’s Shelter, poked his head into the room. ‘Haven’t seen you around for a while. You going alright?’
Derek nodded. ‘Yeah, not too bad. Keeping out of trouble.’
‘Good to hear. Hey, I’m helping with the serving up tonight. We’re having corned beef.’
‘Sounds good.’
Dave thumped the door frame with his heavy hand and winked at Derek. ‘I’ll make sure you get a nice big slice. Before I for
