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didn’t tell Alex about it at all. He doesn’t need the extra worry. And if you decide to take Tom out in your car, I want a text when you set off, a text when you get there, and a text when you get back home. Tom, do you have your phone?’
    â€˜It’s dead.’
    She rolled her eyes. ‘Patty, is that something I can leave with you?’
    â€˜Of course it is, Charlotte.’ She took another swig of tea. ‘I’m not completely irresponsible, you know. I did raise three children single-handed and they turned out all right. You should know, you married one of them.’
    â€˜I’m not trying to fuss, Patty. I just want everything clear.’
    â€˜Well it’s crystal, dearie. Now you get yourself off to work while us two play with matches and stick our fingers in the sockets. That’s a joke, by the way.’
    Charlotte put a hand on Patty’s shoulder. ‘I know. And thank you. I’m sure everything will be…fine.’ Tom looked at his mum’s face and could tell that she wasn’t convinced. ‘I’ll be home by five,’ she said. ‘I should be able to swing an early finish.’
    â€˜Well, if we’re not here, don’t fret!’
    Charlotte stuttered on her way out of the room, but then shook her head slightly before carrying on. Tom followed her to the front door. She picked up her bag, then leant over and kissed his forehead.
    â€˜Don’t worry – I’ll be good for Grandma,’ Tom said.
    â€˜I know you will, sweetheart. I just hope she’ll be good for you.’ She kissed him again. ‘See you later.’
    Once she’d gone, Tom reversed back up the hallway and into the living room.
    â€˜Nice moves, Speedo.’ Grandma tapped her stick twice against the wooden floor. ‘You ready to go out then?’
    Tom was stumped for a second. ‘Erm…I guess so. You didn’t tell Mum we were going straight away. You’ll need to text her.’
    Grandma Patty drained her tea, then snorted. ‘I don’t even have a mobile phone, dearie.’

CHAPTER TWO

    THE FIRST MEETING OF THE MORNING HAD BEEN PRETTY INTENSE, BUT IT HAD GONE WELL. Alex had laid out the business model in all its fine detail and after an hour of close scrutiny, the supermarket chain was happy, for now. He’d shook hands with their commercial director and been told that the contracts may well be drawn up for his signature by the end of the week, subject to a few final checks and conditions. He might have to put off doing business with other stores to land this big one, but if he could pull it off…
    Now he had ten minutes to check his phone for updates from Charlotte and hopefully tell her the promising news.
    His suit jacket hung on the back of the chair in the meeting room. He rescued his phone from the inside pocket. He only had one text. It was from Charlotte, and it read:
Haven’t heard from your mother but I’m sure everything is fine.
He checked the time on it. It had been sent twenty minutes ago. He had a few minutes; he decided to ring Charlotte.
    She picked up on the fourth ring. ‘Hey, you heard from Mum yet?’
    â€˜Hi, Alex. No, I’ve not. They’re probably watching a movie or something.’
    â€˜Is it worth ringing them to check?’
    â€˜They’ve been on their own for two hours, honey. Nothing’s wrong.’
    â€˜Then why text me to say you hadn’t heard? Now I’m worried.’
    â€˜And you’d be more worried if I hadn’t texted. You just keep your mind on
your
day. How’s it going?’
    â€˜Good so far, I think. Hopefully a big buyer. I’m going to ring home.’
    â€˜Alex,
you
arranged for your mum to be there. Just let her get on with it.’
    â€˜Then I’ll text Tom.’
    â€˜He said his phone is dead. You’re busy – I’ll ring the house at lunch then let you know.’
    Alex chewed his lip.