It sounds familiar in some ways, that feeling he often had around his grandparents of not really doing the right thing or being as good as he should be. Mum used to reassure him, tell him it was fine to make mess and noise but whenever Neil was home Kiama knew he had to almost shrink down.

‘So, you don’t think they wanted me to stay here with them?’

‘No,’ she says slowly, almost like she’s apologising. ‘Everyone knew at the—’ she stalls, takes a breath, ‘—time, that it was best for you to go home to the UK and live with your dad. But I don’t think it was because Cynthia and Neil didn’t want you. I’m sure they really, really wanted you, would have loved to have—’

‘It’s okay. I get it.’ Of course they didn’t want to be saddled with a grieving eight-year-old. ‘Still, I don’t get why it was always so strained between everyone. It made me feel bad about contacting my grandparents. So I didn’t that much. I guess I chose my side, didn’t I?’

‘You were a kid. Also, I don’t think it was as simple as picking a side. I’m sure they would have loved to be more involved with you growing up, but it’s a big distance.’

He shrugs.

‘Anyway,’ she says, ‘you’re here now.’

‘Guess so.’

He twists his hair around his fingers causing it to stick up.

‘Why do you keep it so long?’ she asks.

‘Can’t be bothered to cut it.’

‘Your mum liked it long too.’

‘Dad hates it.’

‘He always did. But then he’s the type of man who spends every weekend at the barbers, isn’t he?’

Kiama laughs, it’s true. It’s weird that Yvonne knows him as well, Kiama never thought of that before. Dad didn’t go to university with them, but they must have all hung out together when they lived in Harrow.

‘It will be nice to see Purity,’ she says.

‘Ah, yeah, I’m really looking forward to seeing her. You know she Skyped me a few times?’

‘Really?’

‘Yeah. One of her kids moved to the US so she used to go to the internet café and call me after calling him, but not in ages, probably like a year. It was always hilarious, she’d be chatting to me, but at the same time eating her lunch and running like three other conversations with the people sitting either side of her. I miss those calls.’

‘Why did the calls stop?’

‘She always seemed so busy and I didn’t want to keep taking up her time. Plus, I think that was around the period I was busy failing my AS levels.’

‘She must have been so excited when you told her you were coming.’