Chapters 16-20

Miles takes a walk on the beach contemplating his life and the tooth that was found among the wreckage. Without warning, a stronger boy, Gary, snatches the tooth and the two have a scuffle after Miles strikes back furiously. The presence of the bully, like the shark appearing on the boat or the father’s turn of temper, are as unpredictable as the sea. It creates a tension for the boys who seem to have no relief from trouble. Gary returns the tooth after he is told that it is connected to Mile’s mum.

Harry looks for George and is lead to him by Jake’s barking. George invites him to go fishing in the boat but as Harry is scared of water he declines. George decides they can fish off the wharf. Harry is still reluctant as he expects he might damage something or get George upset. This shows how Harry’s homelife has robbed him of a caring and safe relationship. They have success catching fish and Harry feels comforted sitting with George while he hums.

Miles continues to work on the boat and visits the cannery, where he remembers the warning that after a family loses their boat, this is the place the children end up working. This end-of-the-line job for small town communities shows a lack of hope for Miles and contrasts Joe’s intention to sail away to warmer places. Miles’ trip home is traumatic as his father drives erratically and endangers them both by flirting with an oncoming truck.

Harry and George spend time picking apples and exploring the area where George used to live. There is a peace between them, symbolically displayed by Jake running from one to the other. George offers Harry apples but he cannot take them home out of fear of his father.

The contrast between George and the boys’ father is profound. George is nurturing and quiet, while the fisheries inspector visit highlights the father’s lack of integrity.

Chapters 16 –20 Quote

‘I’ll never be a fisherman,’ Harry said, but it came out all high pitched and squeaky and he had to clear his throat and say it again. George stood up and climbed back onto the jetty. He started unloading his lines and tackle box and buckets from the dinghy. Jake jumped out too. Chapter 17

Chapters 21–25

Miles reflects on the path taken by Joe as a carpenter and how he wishes he could have pursued his dream of working with fine wood like his grandfather. His dream, cut short, like the unwanted job on the boat and the threat of a job in the cannery are typical of the lack of hope presented to Miles. It is this lack of hope that Joe conveys to Miles which leaves him furious. They surf together and the integration with the powerful waves lets them escape for a while, leaving them cleansed. They laugh together but the mood changes when Joe announces he is ready to leave.

Despite the empty cupboards, representing how little the father has to offer the children, Miles steps in to feed Harry always shielding him from the harsh life. However he cannot protect him from the grown men when Mr Curren and Jeff are drinking heavily. Harry tries to quietly get to the bathroom but is caught by the drunken men. Jeff calls him a retard and forces him to drink whiskey. Miles tries to step in again but is pushed against the table, causing him a severe injury. The father does nothing to help the boys. Instead he gives Miles a look similar to the one he gave Joe before he broke his arm years earlier. Miles and Harry flee. The boys end up at George’s place where they are fed and given a warm place to stay, an oasis in their troubled world. Miles returns to work.

Chapters 21–25 Quotes

He lived for this, for these moments when everything stops except your heart beating and time bends and ripples—moves past your eyes frame by frame and you feel beyond time and before time and no one can touch you. (Miles) Chapter 22

Then they heard Dad yelling from inside. Yelling at them, at everyone. Yelling at no one. And Miles could hear the words. They came through the brown walls, through the air, and cracked open the night: ‘I never wanted you.’ Chapter 24

Chapters 26-30

Miles’ night of security gives him pause to consider and dream about his grandfather and the idea of getting tools and working with wood; the taming of an element of nature a stark contrast to wrestling the beast of the ocean and the beast that resides within his father. He remembers a time when he was with his mother and she had told him that she wanted to leave and had tried to once before.

When Miles wakes up George is not there. He is surprised that Harry is so at home and helping himself to food. Harry asks about Joe leaving but Miles does not answer. Miles takes Harry to Stuart’s house and later drops off clothing for him. This is the continued act of support for his younger sibling which endears him to readers. Harry goes shopping with Stuart’s mother and buys George tea. Stuart’s mother, along with Mr Roberts and Aunty Jean, are aware of the boys’ situation but fail to intervene for their protection.

Miles’ return to the empty house gives him a chance to see a photograph of his mother taken at cloudy bay. He remembers the day the photo was taken and how close Uncle Nick and his mother seemed. This is another piece of the puzzle revealed to the reader. The sunlight reflecting off the frame and the pleasant memory of the day are a clean juxtaposition to the leftover mess left by Jeff and Mr Curren. Miles’ father returns with fish and chips and the two share an awkward meal.

Chapters 26–30 Quotes

And her voice was small, but he heard her. A whisper. ‘I left here once. But I came back.’ Miles moved closer. He felt for her hand. (Mum and Miles) Chapter 26

It was past nine. Maybe she’d missed the bus. Maybe the bus was late. There was only one. If you missed it, there wasn’t another. (Girl near shop) Chapter 30