We didn’t mention the hug again but it was enough to know it was there if I needed it. We chatted over sausage casserole with heaps of creamy mash and loads of vegetables.

‘How prepared do you feel for your exams?’ Maggie asked, her eyes awaiting my response.

‘Okay.’ I shoved some food in but Maggie was after more.

‘The revision is working then?’ she asked.

I finished my mouthful. ‘Yeah. It is. The flash-card approach that Farah showed me helps.’

‘But it’s you who’s putting the effort in.’ She looked stern but she was only trying to give me the credit. I’d been revising every evening and on the bus both ways as well as at school. I think it was starting to add up.

‘Perhaps we could offer revision sessions at the library,’ she said, watching me for a response.

‘Maybe.’

‘What else would be useful to kids your age? What things do they talk about in school?’

I scrunched up my face as I thought about the people in my year. Most of what was said was unrepeatable. ‘The girls go on about revision timetables because they like to revise together. The boys don’t. They chat about gaming and football.’ She was waiting, so I had another think. ‘Everyone is talking about what university they want to go to.’

‘Hah!’ said Maggie making me blink. ‘That’s a good one. We could look up information about which are the top universities. Best courses and top tips.’

I shrugged. ‘I guess but they can find that online.’

‘All in one place?’

‘I dunno.’ Maybe she had something. ‘I think the girls would defo be interested.’

‘And you should too,’ she said. ‘In fact, we need to do some research about which courses and universities you want to apply to. I could meet you at the library one day after school. Kill two birds with one stone.’

‘If you like.’ I don’t know why I was being all casual because it was a good idea and I did need to start thinking about it. I knew what was stopping me. ‘I need to get the grades in my GCSEs first or it’s a waste of time.’

‘You need to think positively, Tom. And if you’re worried looking up universities will jinx things then tell yourself you’re doing it for the library.’

‘Do you really think they’ll close down the library?’

‘I’m afraid they will if they get half a chance. It’s all about saving money short-term. Nobody looks to the future.’

I liked talking to Maggie. I didn’t have to think first before I said something. With Dad it was easy to say the wrong thing and most of the time he didn’t listen anyway. With Farah I had to vet everything first in case I made myself look like an idiot. But not with Maggie.