By the time I’d apologised and mopped things up Farah was settled in the children’s corner and out of sight. I’m such a dork.

My two new recruits turned up for my silver surfers lesson, which was good. Although one of them literally knew nothing about computers and I should have started with the bit where you switch it on.

‘I’ve lost the flashy thing,’ said Mr Mendle.

‘The cursor,’ I said. ‘It’s not lost, you just need to scroll down.’ He looked at me blankly. I showed him again how to use the mouse to scroll but I don’t think he was getting it. My other student was Alice who had been quite specific that she wanted help with online shopping, and she was having a great time on the Marks and Spencer website.

‘Argh! I’ve lost it,’ said Mr Mendle. His screen was blank.

‘You’re okay. Try not to panic. You’ve iconised the website that’s all.’ I showed him how to get it back.

‘You are a marvel,’ said Mr Mendle gripping the mouse tightly.

‘Nah, it’s just practice.’

‘And he’s modest too,’ said Alice. ‘If I want to look at bras I type bra in that box. Is that right?’

I was trying not to go pink when the door opened and my dad came in. I immediately looked over my shoulder and felt better that Maggie was watching – she was good backup.

‘All right,’ I said to him.

‘We need to talk.’ He looked serious.

‘I’m busy right now.’ I pointed at the sign over the computers advertising the silver surfer classes.

‘I’m not taking no for an answer. You’re my son.’

Alice was watching open-mouthed while Mr Mendle banged the mouse on the desk.

‘You’ll have to wait,’ I told him.

‘No. I’m fed up of you treating me like sh…’ He seemed to sense that everyone was watching him. ‘I’m just fed up with the way you’re treating me that’s all.’

I immediately saw red. ‘You’re fed up?’

‘Yes.’

‘What about me?’ My voice was getting louder and was definitely too loud for the library. I sensed Maggie before I realised she was at my shoulder.

‘Hi, Paul. I’m Maggie.’ She held out her hand. He looked at it and then eventually shook it.

‘He needs to come home,’ said Dad.

‘No way. You can’t make me.’ I was pissed with him for embarrassing me in the library.

‘Actually, Paul,’ said Maggie picking up her cardigan. ‘I’d really like to have a chat with you. Shall we let Tom finish up here while we pop outside? We wouldn’t want to make the lad feel uncomfortable, now would we?’ She fixed him with one of her looks.

‘I don’t—’