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the flat - I don’t deserve it – you do. I don’t need it. I’m only asking about it to make sure you’re not having any hassle.”
    “Yes, I know you are. And I told you it belongs to both of us – I don’t want your half. I don’t really need a flat either.”
    “Well, you never know. I like to think that my little sister has a place to call her own.” Michael spoke gently as he added, “Should she ever require it.”
    “I can’t see that happening! Like we said though, it’s a good investment to hang on to it – and if any of the kids go to uni in Edinburgh it’ll really come into its own.”
    Michael talked a bit more about our shared rental income from the flat and about the ever changing tax implications, which I did my best to follow. I also knew that this year, as always, I would end up having to get Tom’s help sorting it all out. Then I remembered looking at the old photos of Heather and me earlier, and told Michael about it.
    “Do you ever think about her?” I asked.
    “No, hardly at all,” he replied. “How’s Sam doing by the way? Jo and I miss having her help around the place. The girls miss her too.”
    We chatted on, discussing our children, the weather, our jobs –but there was no real heart to heart. He certainly hadn’t wanted to talk about Heather. I didn’t mention my imminent hospital appointment or the incident with the boy. I know I’d made a conscious decision not to mention the hospital, but I’ve no idea why I didn’t tell the story of the mysterious boy.
     

Chapter Six
     
    Before leaving for work the next morning, I tried to ensure that Jenny and Adam had eaten something and were calm and organised for their last exam. Jenny was quiet and rather tense, like an athlete focussing on the big race. She refused breakfast as usual, and would only have some orange juice as she looked over her revision notes. Adam was surly and withdrawn and impervious to my attempts to lighten his mood. And, although Robbie’s forthcoming visit crossed my mind first thing, it was no more than a passing thought.
    Once at school, all thoughts of anything, other than the class in front of me, left my head. The children in my class were a sparky lot and I was completely taken up with teaching primary three.
    After school, Max popped his head round the door of my classroom. “Are you going to be long?” he asked.
    “Hello to you too, I’ve had a good day, thanks for asking. And you?” I smiled as he rolled his eyes and sighed.
    “Yeah, yeah, but are you? Neil and Connor are going to play footy on the field and I can go too if you’re working on here. Oh, and can I go to Ruby’s for tea tomorrow? Neil’s going to his gran’s and he said I can go too.”
    “Yes, you can go for tea. I’ll be away at a meeting tomorrow afternoon anyway.” It was sort of the truth and I was glad I wouldn’t have to make arrangements for Max when I’d be at the hospital the next day. “And yes, go and play, I’ll be about half an hour.” He ran off. “Watch your school clothes,” I called after him. “No diving! I’ll see you at the field.” There was no reply, only the corridor door slamming.
    Max made me smile. He was so carefree, so sure of his world. He didn’t seem to mind me working at his school, as long as I remembered my place during school hours. He was such an easy child.
    Later, over dinner, I asked as casually as I could how Jenny and Adam got on with their exam.
    “Fine, Mother,” Jenny said. “Don’t worry, I think I did enough to pass. But don’t ask me anything about cell division or anything else biological. It’s all gone now it’s over.”
    “What about you, Adam?” Tom asked.
    “What about me?” Adam didn’t look up.
    “How was the biology exam?”
    “Okay.”
    “Do you think you’ve done enough to pass?”
    “Can we just leave it! ” Adam shook his head at Tom, pushed his chair back and left the table. The kitchen door banged shut behind