35He must have been five, perhaps a little older. Living with Gran was now normal, because she was his mum. She did everything for him and, when he'd started school that previous September, she'd gone with him, staying throughout the morning. Park Infants. It was a new building; he remembered the smell, everything so clean, bright and shiny. Mrs Butler, a formidable looking woman, was no match for Gran and they did not get on well. Despite this, everything went fine, until that first Christmas.
He remembered the man at the door, his big beaming face pressed against the glass. He came in and spoke to Miss Treacher, his class tutor. She didn't seem convinced at what he was saying and the man became a little angry. Mrs Butler appeared and silence settled as everyone in the classroom strained
