Chapter 43

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Mark asked.

“You mean should we go round to Sam’s and see if he can come on holiday with us?”

“We’re like a couple of school kids asking the parents of a friend if their son can come out to play.”

I laughed.

* * * *

Helen let us in.

“We’re not interrupting anything are we?” I asked.

“No, no. Come on through,” she said, leading the way. “We were just watching the evening news. Do you want a cuppa?”

“No thanks,” Mark answered for both of us.

The Bates only had instant coffee and I’d gotten Mark to appreciate real coffee.

Paul switched off the TV with the remote and stood to greet us. “If you’re after Sam he’s just upstairs finishing his homework.”

“No, it’s you we want to see.” Mark said. “Well, erm, we’d like you to do us a favour, well I suppose we’re doing you a favour, too…” He ground to a halt.

Paul looked confused. “Take a seat and start from the beginning,” he smiled.