Chapter 18

Gran arrived in the study just as the babies were beginning to get restless and show signs of needing to be fed, so we took them back into the nursery, where she fed Mark and rocked him to sleep while Charles and I took turns doing the same with Steve. When both babies were sound asleep, we transferred them to their cribs and returned to the study. Charles poured a nightcap for each of us, and we sat and discussed the events of the week.

Gran said, “Philip, how do you think Steve will do once his friends leave?”

“It’s hard to say. I suspect he’ll be a bit lonely Saturday and Sunday, but as soon as he gets caught up in the routine of school, he should be all right.”

“You and I should make a concerted effort to keep him distracted over the weekend,” Charles said.

“No problem, but it’ll have to be home-based activity. Remember, we’re on duty this weekend.”