Laura raises her brows. Jam in a jam doughnut? Radical idea. If you’re not careful, I’m going to have to make you something nutritious myself. Yes, cook! It won’t be cuisine but it will be good for you.

She watches Avril brush sugar from her hands into the white paper bag, get a disposable towelette from her bag and wipe each finger.

Avril, relax. There’s nothing we can do.

I know. She is wiping her hands on a serviette now. Again and again. Eventually, she turns her attention back to the exercise book.

So obviously you never got these for your twenty-first birthday. That’s kind of sad. Wonder what happened.

I don’t know. She’s written on the package ‘per Clementina Laing’. Aunty Clemmie, Grunnie’s dearest friend. She was Aunty Jessie’s mother.

Do you remember when your grandmother died?

Oh yes. Because I wasn’t there. Wendy and I were in India. 1975, so I would have been, what, twenty-two. She flinches. The brashness of her twenty-two year old self. She was sick when I left. Leukaemia.

And what about Clementina?

Hmmm. Laura frowns. She died few years after Grunnie, I think. Must have been in her nineties, but nothing wrong with her mind—she was sharp till the end.

Avril looks at the book again. How much have you read, Laura? I’m about halfway through this. Can I keep going?

If you want … She looks at Avril curiously. I’m about to start the second one.

I … Avril’s fingers flex, and she looks down at them. It’s something to do with Cooper, you know? She picks up the exercise book by the corners, careful not to let too much of its musty grime touch her skin. What does it feel like? She hesitates, her hand hovering over the cover. I mean, this is your family story, where you’ve come from. I can’t imagine … I only ever knew one of my grandparents, and not for long.

Laura feels flustered and shrugs. It’s … I don’t know. Ask me tomorrow when I’ve read more. But when she glances at Avril, the awe on her face, Laura feels a rush of tenderness for the young woman her son married.

She puts the other two books in her bag and collects her things. You’ll call me if there’s any news? Doesn’t matter what time, OK?

Of course.

And I don’t suppose I can convince you to go home, let me stay tonight?

Avril shakes her head. I’m OK.

I’m worried about you, sweetie. You’ve had no sleep at all. Laura leans down, kisses the top of her head.