Maggie had never been more grateful to an animal than she was to Tom the lamb, or Tyrion as he was originally called. He had provided some focus for the difficult hour and a half she’d spent with a subdued and morose teenage Tom. She hated herself for the damage she’d caused. Tom didn’t deserve any further upset in his life, but what was done couldn’t be undone. They had spent most of the time in silence taking it in turns to look at the clock whose hands seemed to move slower with every glance.

Inevitably Savage took longer than anticipated and when he finally banged on the front door the relief from both of them was palpable. Maggie rushed to answer it with a hobbling Tom close behind her. Savage held the bike up and then rested it against the house.

‘Is it fixed?’ asked Tom, craning to get a look at the bike.

‘It’s as good as I can get it,’ said Savage. ‘This modern stuff’s not built to last.’

‘But I can ride it. Right?’

‘Yes. You can ride it.’

Tom’s whole body appeared to loosen up. ‘Brilliant. Thanks.’ Savage nodded and made to leave. ‘How are the puppies?’ Tom sort of half shouted it at Savage’s back.

Savage turned around and frowned so hard his flat cap moved down his forehead. ‘Eating too much and making a mess. No takers as yet.’ Savage lifted his chin. ‘You know anyone who wants one?’

Tom shook his head, his face glum. ‘No.’

‘Do we owe you anything for fixing the bike?’ asked Maggie.

‘No,’ said Savage, already walking away.

Tom and Maggie looked at each other. Tom started putting his shoes on. She didn’t want to leave things like this but there was no more she could do.

Maggie’s phone rang and she cursed it but went to answer it anyway. It was a brief call and had Maggie marching back up the hall. ‘Get your shoes on. We’re going to the library,’ she said.

‘I can’t,’ said Tom, already doing up his laces. ‘I’ve got to get the bike back to Dad.’

‘We’ll drop that on the way. The library’s been burgled and Christine’s in a state.’

‘What?’ Tom looked surprised.

‘I’ve no other details but we need to help Christine. I’ll call a taxi.’

‘Err. Okay.’ He looked thrown by the change of plan. ‘You’d better check it’s big enough to take the bike.’

*

Tom left the bike in the passage at the side of the house, scribbled a quick note for his dad to say where he was going and got back in the taxi for the short trip to the library. There was no sign of anyone as Maggie paid the driver and Tom tried the library door.