It’s nearly two weeks since that unfinished conversation, two weeks since Gloria and Ray went dancing. It’s been raining all day, and there’s a bare tree branch that taps on the dark bedroom window with each gust of wind. Ray’s at the cinema with a cousin who’s in London for two days and Gloria’s downstairs watching telly with her parents. William is at peace. If Gloria and Ray are out together, he can’t settle. He tries to lose himself in his studies and sometimes it works, but when the front door finally opens and they’re home, he realises that the gentle click and grind of the key in the lock is what he’s been waiting for. Then he has to contend with Ray coming to bed, but at least when he’s in their room, he’s not with Gloria.

The branch scratches the window again at the same time as a gentle knock at his door. For a moment, he’s confused.

‘Hello?’

The door opens slowly, shushing across the carpet. ‘All right if I come in?’

‘Of course.’ He tries to look casual, though Gloria has never come into his room before.

She leans on the door she’s quietly closed behind her. The red cable-knit jumper is bulky, leading him to imagine the hidden contours of her upper body.

‘Everything all right?’ Gloria, normally so at ease with herself, is subdued, awkward.

‘Yes, thanks.’

‘I miss our chats.’

‘Me too.’ He makes a long job of putting his pens and ruler in the jam jar on the desk, concentrating on his hands. ‘They’re really piling the work on.’

‘You could take half an hour’s break, couldn’t you?’ She gathers her glossy hair in one hand and coils it round her fingers. ‘Just a quick chat over cocoa, William, I’m not asking for the whole evening.’

‘I’m sure Ray would be happy to oblige.’ The barb is out before he can stop it.

‘Yes, William’ – there’s a sting in her voice now too, and she’s no longer leaning against the door – ‘but I was talking about you, not Ray. And in any case’ – her face is all frustration now – ‘why can’t the three of us be in a room together!’

‘He moans if I keep the light on to study, so I have to get it done before he goes to bed.’ He hates how he sounds, hates the crinkle at the top of Gloria’s nose, drawing her dark eyebrows together, but he can’t stop. ‘And frankly, I’m with him all day. Why would I want to stand around in the kitchen with him in the evening as well?’