‘Okay.’ Kenny mumbles, shifting slightly in the chair while I let Tom’s words unsettle me. The usual. Does he know Amber’s usual? Or Cian and Aaron’s usual? I’m beginning to realize the new kid on the block has been getting most of Tom’s attention.

‘What about you?’ He turns to ask me. His nerves showing all over his fidgeting hands and unsteady gait.

‘Oh, I’ll have the usual too,’ I say.

The sarcasm removes Tom’s smile, replacing it with a look that says, Not now, please.

‘A skinny latte.’

Tapping his pockets like he’s hoping he remembered his wallet Tom hurries to join one of the three queues growing at the counter.

‘I’m so sorry about what happened to your mother, Kenny,’ I say, trying to remember this kid is grieving. ‘I’m sure she was a lovely lady.’

‘Yeah,’ he says, turning away to look for Tom. He looks so fragile, his sad baby face searching out his daddy. Then it hits me, like a bus. It’s something I’ve been ignoring or pushing away since I heard the news about Kenny. Tom is his daddy, they have a relationship and at this particular moment in Kenny’s life, Tom is probably the only one he feels safe with. The only one he trusts. I’m not sure how that makes me feel.

I don’t know what I’m supposed to say to this kid. I didn’t think I’d be left on my own with him. With both of us avoiding eye contact, we wait for Tom to arrive back to the table and defuse the atmosphere.

I turn around and see Tom is only arriving at the top of the queue. Say something, Sally, you’re the adult here.

‘Do you play any sports, Kenny?’ I ask in a gentle voice.

‘Football.’ Kenny’s voice is barely audible. He’s afraid to look at me, choosing the table top instead. I’m trying to sound interested but the truth is I’m as nervous as he looks.

‘What club do you play for?’

‘The school.’ Still just a murmur. The poor fella is probably wishing he could disappear into thin air.

‘What school’s that?’

‘St Vincent’s.’ Finally he lifts his head and looks at me.

‘Oh. That’s a nice school.’ I don’t know what else to say. I’ve run out of questions. At least he doesn’t go to Amber’s school and I can’t help feeling relieved.