I opened the front door and then shut it quickly because Dad was going out through the gate. I counted to ten and opened the door again. He’d not seen me and he was now at the end of the road. I checked I’d got my keys and my phone and I followed him. Ours is a sleepy village and at that time on a Saturday morning there’s nobody around making it hard to keep him in sight and not be seen. I kept dodging in and out of driveways and behind overgrown bushes like a rubbish spy.

He crossed the road by the shops and I hung back or he’d see me for sure. The bus pulled in and I used it as cover.

‘Well, hello,’ said Maggie, getting off the bus. ‘To what do I owe this pleasure?’

What was she on about? I frowned at her. ‘I’m not here to meet you. I’m following Dad.’

‘Oh.’ Her expression changed. ‘That makes more sense. Look, Tom. I know I hurt you and—’

‘It’s okay.’

‘But it’s not. It’s damaged our friendship and I’m truly sorry about that.’

I shrugged. ‘I’m not mad at you anymore.’ The truth was I missed her.

‘Does that mean we can put it behind us?’ she asked.

‘Sure.’ I wanted things to go back to how they had been too.

Maggie walked in step with me and we watched Dad cross the green. ‘Mind me asking why he’s under surveillance?’

‘I think he’s drinking again.’

‘Ah. That’s not good. He’s gone past the pub though – that’s a positive sign.’

‘It’s not open yet. Come on we’re losing him.’ I started to stride it out and Maggie kept up no problem. It was good to have her with me. If I ended up confronting him she was excellent backup. She was well early for book club but then old people hated being late for stuff.

After about five minutes we were heading out of the village and nearing the new estate. I say new because that’s what everyone calls it but it’s been there as long as I can remember. ‘Have you any idea where he’s going?’ asked Maggie.

‘Not a clue.’ I’d been trying to think as we walked but he never came up here or at least I thought he didn’t. I covered the area on my paper round and all that was there was houses. They were well nice houses, some with double garages and new cars outside.

‘No friends up this way?’