Lizzie runs to the door, where Lenny is scowling next to a slightly anxious-looking Luke. ‘I’m sorry, Lenny,’ Lizzie says, as she pulls out the battered Mars bar. ‘I wasn’t allowed to bring the dog in, and I was worried someone would steal her. I wasn’t late. I was just over there the whole time.’

The scowl slides off Lenny’s face as he reaches for the Mars bar. ‘’S okay, Mum.’

‘Don’t worry. It’s fine,’ Luke says, smiling at her, with a row of perfect white teeth. ‘We were having a lovely chat, weren’t we, mate?’ He ruffles Lenny’s hair and Lenny looks up and widens his grin.

‘Want some of my Mars bar?’ He has already taken a bite. There is chocolate round his mouth and caramel on his teeth, and it’s so sweet it hurts Lizzie to look at him.

‘No, thanks. I’m training for an Ironman.’ Luke pats his flat tummy and smiles at Lizzie. It’s altogether too much teeth and exposed gums. Her eye is drawn to the top pearl button on his black shirt. It looks like an eye, winking at her. Lizzie notices he’s doing something odd with his hands as he talks. Is he nervous? Because of her? Curiouser and curiouser, she thinks.

‘Come on, Lenny.’ Lizzie feels a headache starting, above her right eyebrow. She rubs at it. ‘Time to go.’

Luke, who seems to be blushing, straightens and says, ‘Ah, um. Oh, yes. We have a Lego club after school on Tuesdays. I wanted to ask if Lenny would like to come along.’

Before she can decline, Lenny chimes in: ‘Can I, Mum?’

‘I don’t know,’ Lizzie says. ‘You want to do every afterschool club going. Multi-sports. Football. Karate. You’d do the sewing course if it meant you didn’t have to go back to—’ She stops then, catching herself just in time.

‘Back where?’ Luke says.

‘To the house, to our house,’ Lenny replies quickly, looking at his mum and frowning. He doesn’t want anyone to know where they live either. ‘It’s so boring there.’ He yawns dramatically, over the top, and Lizzie can’t help but smile.

‘I just don’t want you getting tired, Lenny,’ she says, unable to stop herself reaching out and stroking his sticky cheek.

‘Lenny, tired?’ Luke says. ‘I’ve never known anyone with more energy.’

‘I could do the Iron Man with you!’ Lenny shouts. ‘I love Marvel!’

Luke laughs and it is the hum of a faulty machine coming to life, the fizz of a can opening, a fire crackling. He claps Lenny on the shoulder. ‘Maybe when you’re a bit older, mate.’

Lizzie looks at the two of them and bites her lip. There’s something between them already, she can see it.