‘No. Not interested,’ she countered tersely. She rose from her seat and hobbled towards the door, throwing me an icy look. ‘If you’ll excuse me, I need a lie-down.’

‘But I’ve only just got here.’

‘Well, I want a rest. You know where everything is. Make yourself a cup of tea – if you can find some milk.’

I heard the creak of her footfall as she climbed the stairs. I felt irked. She must have known what university would be like, that I wouldn’t be able to drop everything and rush round to see her every five minutes.

I sat for a moment, then thought I’d better show willing and clean up, since I was obviously persona non grata. I tidied the room and damp-dusted everywhere, then pushed the vacuum cleaner round. As I turned off the cleaner, I heard her thumping on the ceiling.

I went out into the hallway. ‘Are you okay up there?’

‘I’m trying to have a nap. How am I supposed to sleep with you making all that bloody din?’

‘I thought you’d like me to make myself useful while I’m here.’

‘So that’s my lot, is it? Do a bit of hoovering and then clear off for another couple of months?’

I sighed. She could be prickly, but wasn’t normally quite so cantankerous. I went up the stairs. She had gone into the bathroom, so I waited on the landing. I heard the toilet flush, then she appeared in the doorway.

‘Come to say goodbye, have you?’

‘I was just going to ask if you needed anything – I can get a bit of shopping in, if you like.’

‘I could do with the fridge stocking up and someone to make me a decent meal. I’ve been living on microwave muck for weeks. I can’t chop stuff properly any more, you know that.’

I glanced at my watch, realising that I was likely to have to write off the rest of the day if she needed me to do a major shop and cook her something into the bargain. She must have noticed the look on my face.

‘Oh, I see. You’ve only pencilled me in for an hour. Got something more interesting to do later, have you?’

‘It’s not that, I just …’

‘My old mum used to say, one good turn deserves another. I brought you into my home, put up with your shenanigans, fed and clothed you. And this is all the thanks I get. Just like your bloody mother.’

My hackles were beginning to rise. I tried not to react.

‘I’m very grateful for everything you’ve done for me,’ I said quietly.