Not when there’s a spy in our square.

He’s not a spy. Didn’t you see how upset he was?

I throw my phone onto my bed and scan across the square. Dad closes Granddad’s gate, then waves to him. Granddad waves back and closes his door. Dad’s got a confused look on his face like when he was trying to work out how to fix our washing machine. I walk over to my bedroom door and press my ear against it.

I hear the front door open, then the mumble of my parents talking in the kitchen, but I can’t make out what they are saying. I gently twist my door handle and creep out onto the landing.

‘He looks awful,’ says my dad. ‘I’ve not seen him look so upset. Not since Mum died.’

He looks awful. Never seen him so upset.

My heart thuds in my chest.

‘But he’s been doing so well ever since we suggested he saw more of Felix. He’s been going out more. He loved the diving,’ says Mum.

They suggested he saw more of me? What about them going away last weekend for a break? Was that just a plan to get me and Granddad together? But why?

I creep closer.

‘Thing is, I think it was working,’ says Dad. ‘Like you said, he’s been getting out more and Felix has actually been interested in something for once, although I’m not sure he really likes chess.’

‘It doesn’t matter, at least he’s been doing something other than sit in that tree, but now your dad’s not eating and Felix is up crying in his room. Something must have happened.’

‘I know, but Dad wouldn’t say. He’s just looks so depressed again, sitting in that dark room staring at the TV. I hope he doesn’t go back to how he was after Mum died.’

My heart beats so fast that my pulse beats against the banister. Granddad has been depressed since Grandma died? I knew he was missing her, but I thought he was just being tired and grumpy.

When I reach the bottom stair I turn and see Mum with her back to me, talking to Dad.

I edge down the hallway.

Dad, I’m sorry. I told Granddad he was a spy.

I spot Dad sitting at the kitchen table with his head in his hands.

‘Dad . . .’

Mum spins round. ‘Not now, Felix,’ she says, shaking her head. ‘We’re worried about your granddad.’

‘Yes, I know, that’s who I want to talk—’

‘Felix!’ Dad snaps. ‘Like Mum said, for once this isn’t about you. It’s your grandma.’

‘But she’s gone.’

‘Yes, exactly, and we all forgot – it was a year ago today!’

‘What? So that’s why Granddad was at the florist. He was going to . . .’

Mum gives me a weirded-out look. ‘Felix, what are you talking about?’