He yawned as he leaned over my shoulder. ‘There you go and there’s cereal in the cupboard.’

‘But there’s no milk.’

‘Then get some,’ he snapped.

I held my hand out for some cash. Dad pointed at the few coins on the counter. ‘That’s all there is. You must have some from your paper round.’

‘I’m saving for a new Xbox. Remember?’ I clenched my teeth together so I didn’t rant.

He looked away. ‘I’ll pay you back.’

This wasn’t how it was meant to be. He wouldn’t pay me back. How could he?

‘Can you get some more fish fingers as well?’ he asked. ‘That should see us all right until Friday.’

‘Right.’ It was hard to speak, my jaw was so tight.

He grabbed my arm as I went to leave the room. ‘Look I know it’s not ideal. We’ve had a few bills all come in at once. That’s all. But at least you get a meal at school and thank heavens that’s free.’

‘Can we pay for those?’ I nodded at the red bills on the counter. I wasn’t great at maths but I knew they added up to more than Dad’s weekly wage.

‘We’ll be okay after Friday, Tom. I promise.’ He tried to smile and it came out more like a twitch.

‘Don’t promise me, Dad.’ I pulled my arm free. I could cope with the mess, with the lack of money and shoddy financial management but not with broken promises.

*

I went to the corner shop because it was nearest. Seeing as I was paying I decided I’d face the extra cost that the little village stores charged versus the long walk to the supermarket. I remembered to take a carrier bag with me. I wasn’t stretching to ten pence for one of their flimsy ones. It was such a rip-off. Some younger kids from my school were standing outside drinking bottles of Coke and sharing out a multi pack of chocolate bars.

The sight of the Coke made me think about Maggie. Pictures of her kitchen filled my mind. Did these kids have a roast dinner every Sunday? Probably. They had no idea how lucky they were. I could easily have swiped something from them but I never would. It didn’t mean I didn’t want to.

Inside I found the few things I needed while avoiding eye contact with Mr Gill because otherwise he’d try to have a conversation with me. A couple of ladies were at the till chatting.

‘I can’t believe they’re closing the library,’ said one wearing a headscarf.

‘They never are,’ replied the other who was sorting through the going-out-of-date section.

‘My neighbour lives two up from Christine who runs it. She says they’re knocking it down for flats.’