‘I’m surprised I guess.’ I’d done way better than I thought I would.

‘I’m not,’ said Dad.

I looked at him. ‘Why?’

‘Because you’re smart like your mum. And you’ve been swotting hard.’ He held his palms up. ‘That’s not a criticism. I hadn’t realised how serious you were about going to university until I saw you studying. And for what it’s worth I think you were right to want more than the apprenticeship.’

‘It’s not that—’

‘It’s okay,’ he said interrupting me. ‘I’m proud of you for standing up to me. I mean I was pissed off at the time but you were right, you’re worth more than the factory. This proves it.’ He tapped the results. ‘You should let Maggie know.’

I called Maggie to tell her and she nearly burst my eardrum with her shouting but I loved that she was so chuffed for me and not afraid to show it. She invited me and Dad over for a celebratory meal. I hovered for a second. I had her on loudspeaker and I wasn’t sure if Dad would be up for it.

‘You don’t have to come,’ I said quickly to him.

He smiled and nodded. ‘If her cooking’s anything like her cake then count me in,’ he said.

*

When I opened the front door at Maggie’s she must have been waiting in the hallway because she almost knocked me over with the force of her hug. ‘You absolute bloomin’ star!’ she said, when she finally let me go. I didn’t mind. I liked it really. I mean I made a big fuss of wiping her kiss off my cheek but that’s expected. ‘I knew you could do it. I never doubted you for a second,’ she said. I knew every word was true and it was the best feeling.

‘Thanks, Maggie. You know, for everything.’ She batted my thanks away and turned to Dad.

‘Hello, Paul,’ she said. ‘What about the boy then?’

‘I’m very proud,’ said Dad, following my lead and taking off his shoes.

‘Right. Dinner is on. Fizzy elderflower is in the fridge to celebrate with but first I’ve got a little something for Tom. Well, more joint ownership really.’ I had no idea what she was on about. Dad shrugged. ‘I’ll cover any costs,’ she continued. ‘But I’ll be needing Tom here to do most of the work.’ Maggie marched off to the living room.

‘This is what she’s like. You just need to go with it,’ I whispered.

‘Okay,’ said Dad and he smiled.

‘Are you two coming?’ called Maggie.

I went through to the living room. Maggie was standing with her back to the door. When she turned around I thought I was going to spontaneously combust. She was cradling the red merle puppy in her arms.