‘Yes, but I’m going to try and sort something, a day out before you go back. How does that sound?’

‘Sounds mega, thanks, Grandad. You sure I can’t give you a game on here before you go?’ Richard looked back over to where his son stood with arms firmly crossed. He needed to go. He would try again, pick up Thomas for a day out, take some of the pressure off his son and maybe even be appreciated for doing it.

‘Not today. But I’ll sort something, OK?’ Richard tightened his squeeze, lingering for as long as he could. Thomas was quick to put his headphones back on and sit down in front of his game. Richard moved straight for the way out, stopping briefly to take a last look at the ruffled bed sheets. ‘Look, I didn’t come here to fall out with you. You’re all I’ve got left. That means I’m here for you, whatever you need, whatever I can do.’

‘I’ll bear that in mind.’

Richard ground his teeth. He needed to go away, to be calm.

‘No, you won’t,’ he growled. He shook his head and started down the stairs. Colin called after him.

‘No, I probably won’t. What was it you said you were? Old and useless, wasn’t it?’

Richard hurried back out into the fresh air. By the time he was pacing back across the yard his eyes had blurred to the point where he was just making for the silver block that he knew to be his car. He leaned on it, trying to catch his breath, waiting for the rage and stress to dissipate.

It took a couple of minutes. Then Richard got back into his car and cast a glance over to the main house, to where a curtain fell back shut.

‘Just making sure I leave, are you? Don’t you worry, my love, I know when I’m not wanted.’

Chapter 25

Sharon Evans had been trying to be strong for so long now it was part of her daily routine. Any time she stood by Callie’s bed she refused to cry, to even look sad. She liked to talk to her, to update her with what was going on, and always with a song in her voice and a smile on her face. Even if it was generally forced and her updates felt totally pointless. Sharon’s world now had a new perspective and so talking through an article on Love Island contestants to her sleeping daughter took every ounce of her energy.