‘I was busy trying to keep on top of an avalanche of shit. I didn’t really have mental capacity to analyse it the way you have.’

‘Fair point. I’m sorry. I’m not trying to make it sound like you’re to blame for any of it. I’m just really angry on your behalf.’

‘Anyway,’ I begin, anxious to move the conversation along now that I’ve told him what I need to. ‘You’ll hopefully understand now that I need to ask you if you have a wife and several beautiful children hiding anywhere that I ought to know about.’

To my relief, this is enough to break his mood. He smiles, crinkling his beautiful eyes. ‘I can assure you that I don’t,’ he tells me. ‘What about you?’

‘Just me,’ I assure him. ‘And as far as your dyslexia is concerned, I may not know much about it now, but I’m willing to learn.’

His smile widens into a grin. ‘I can’t believe Dad pulled out all that “I’m proud of you, son” stuff back there. So embarrassing.’

‘I thought it was rather sweet.’

‘What do you think the deal is with him and this Audrey? Should I be worried?’

‘It sounds innocent enough.’

‘Mmm. I know I joke about Gina because she so obviously has the hots for Dad, but that feels safe because I know he’s not interested in her. The idea of him actually dating though…’

‘I don’t think it’s a date,’ I reassure him. ‘It sounds to me more like two old friends meeting up to reminisce about the past.’

‘But they used to be lovers.’

‘A long time ago.’

‘They’re both free agents,’ he persists.

‘And she’s a pilot who lives on the other side of the world. As someone who’s dated a pilot in the past, I can tell you that the lifestyle doesn’t mix that well with relationships, and that’s when they live in the same country as you.’

‘Oh, God. What if she persuades him to move out there to be with her?’

I laugh. ‘Slow down, tiger! They’re meeting for a drink, not moving in together.’

He sighs. ‘You’re right. Do you think I should go along though, just in case?’

‘I don’t think your dad will appreciate being chaperoned. You need to trust him.’

‘He’s vulnerable.’