‘I know! I don’t need reminding. I think I need those barrier things they put up for the little kids and that slide thing for releasing my ball.’

‘So can we?’ He bounced up and down, dropping more crumbs.

‘Why don’t you give Jemma a chance to settle in?’ Mum said, diplomatically. ‘She’s probably got unpacking to do and friends to catch up with.’

‘Tell you what, Logan, how about I promise to take you bowling next Sunday if you let me catch up on a few things today. We’ll see if Karen and Eden are free too. Would that be okay?’

‘Promise?’

‘Pinky promise.’ I wrapped my little finger round his and regretted it immediately because his fingers were covered in sticky ketchup.

‘Can I watch cartoons in my room, Mum?’ he asked.

‘Yes. Just not too loud.’

He grinned and ran out of the room, grabbing another butty first.

I pushed the tray to one side and sat down on the edge of Mum’s bed. ‘You two seem a lot happier around each other.’

She nodded. ‘There’ve been no more incidents. The theft accusation seems to have been forgotten now.’

‘That’s a relief.’ I placed a bacon butty on a plate and passed it to Mum, then took a bite of mine. We ate in companionable silence for a while, but my heart sank as I gazed round her room. I’d been aware that it was a bit messy when I walked in with the tray, but I’d been focussed on not spilling the drinks, then on Logan. Now that I could fully take it in, it was like being in an untidy teenager’s room. Wardrobe doors were ajar with outfits thrown over the tops of them, clothes dangled from half-open drawers and there were heaps of dirty clothes on the floor. The bin in the corner was overflowing and discarded make-up wipes were strewn across the chest of drawers holding her mirror. Another part of her orderly life descending into chaos.

‘I know it’s a bit messy,’ she said, obviously noticing my gaze.

‘No, it’s…’ I shook my head, putting half my butty back down on the tray, appetite gone. ‘Yes, it is. Can I help?’

‘It’s fine. I usually have a good tidy up on a Sunday. I’ll do it later. What are your plans?’

‘Hmm?’

‘Jemma!’ Mum said, sharply. ‘Stop looking at the mess. I’ve said I’ll sort it and I will. Remember who the parent is here.’

Thoroughly chastised, I focussed squarely back on her. ‘Sorry. What did you ask me?’

‘About your plans.’

‘Oh, yeah. Well, I might be going out this morning or I might not. You know I told you about Sam, the one who brought me home yesterday? It’s quite a sad story, really…’

Mum drank her coffee while I sipped on a cup of tea and told her about Sam and Nikki.