That was all. I was worried about him. He looked grey now. It was like the tea was way too hot. Like his throat was blistered and he couldn’t talk any more. Like there was a fire in his chest burning him from the inside out.

4

And he went out without saying goodbye. I heard him driving off.

Then my mam came home. It’s like one of those silent movies where they go in one door and out another. The Three Stooges whatever. Except just two.

Where is Dad?

He went out.

He texted me to say he was here.

He was but he went out again. The house is gone.

I know. I can’t believe it, it only went on the market on Monday, the Kellehers are behind this, mark my words.

I pointed at the teapot. It’s fresh enough, want me to pour you a cup?

Why are you home today? There’s nothing wrong with you.

Tea and cake, I said.

I’ll tea-and-cake you if you don’t go to school tomorrow, Miss.

I will, Mam.

She stared at me. Sometimes I think she’s wondering who I am. She was wearing her Max Mara suit. I have to admit my mam can look pretty cool. My friend Holly said she was a milf. I seriously wonder about Holly sometimes. She could be bi or lesbian. But she liked Ed Sheeran. I have nothing against gays. In fact we used to have a gay friend, a boy who was in our Primary. He turned out to be gay by about fourteen, but Holly and me always knew. He had four sisters. Anyway, the three of us palled around a lot, but in the end his family moved away. They went to Australia because the dad lost his job.

Once, in Primary, Miss Daly said, Holly, what’s your full name? Holly said, Holly. The teacher said: But what’s it short for? It’s not short for anything, Miss. Holly, what is your full Christian name? I’m not a Christian, Miss, my parents are hippies.