‘Just that, young man. It’s a plastic hoop with a few strings and wires with some small stones …’

‘They’re crystals!’

He doesn’t seem impressed. ‘If you say so. They’re each illuminated by a low-watt filament powered by a battery.’ He smiles at me. ‘My girlfriend works in the radiology department. They’re always quiet today so I had her run all the tests – you know, X-rays and so on? It is exactly what it looks like – a cheap toy. And completely ineffective. Like I say, there’s absolutely nothing …’

I think it’s ‘cheap toy’ that upsets me the most. I interrupt him. ‘It’s not! It’s not a cheap toy. It’s a wonderful invention and the inventor’s just died and the only reason that it’s ineffective now is because you’ve pulled it apart!’

The young doctor looks startled at my outburst. ‘I … I’m sorry, Malcolm. I mean, I could try to fix them if you want, only your dad …’

‘That won’t be necessary, doctor,’ says Dad, briskly. ‘Thanks for taking so much trouble over a complete waste of time.’ He gathers up the bundle of wires and string and plastic pieces and dumps the whole lot in the swing-bin in the corner, then dusts his hands in a ‘job-done’ sort of way.

He turns to me. There are tears pricking the back of my eyes now and I think he can tell because he softens his tone and sits down with a sigh. Mam’s glaring at him.

‘Malky, mate. I knew I recognised the name of those things from somewhere. It’s been bugging me for ages.’ He tuts to himself as if remembering something unpleasant. His eyes flick to the doctor, as though he is wondering whether to continue, then he takes a breath. ‘When I was … getting better … there was a patient in our therapy group, Karen. Well into her sixties, maybe more. She said she’d come across a “Dreaminator” years ago and, well …’ Dad pauses to find the right words. ‘She blamed it for her … for her troubles. Her addictions. It’s all nonsense, Malky. But some nonsense can be dangerous, do you see?’

He waits until I nod.

‘Who is this dead inventor anyway? I thought you said you got them at the Lifeboat sale.’

I can feel myself getting red with anger and shame. ‘I … er …’

Dad snaps, ‘I hope you haven’t been lying, Malky.’

Now Mam gets involved. Since Dad left, she hates him telling me and Seb off. ‘Back off, Tom – he’s upset. And keep your voice down. You’ve no idea what it’s like bringing them two up when you don’t even contribute enough money …’

‘Don’t go there, Mary, just don’t!’ hisses Dad. ‘At least I wouldn’t allow physical violence …’