‘I need to say goodbye.’
‘What difference will it make?’
Dad made no attempt to answer. ‘We’re leaving in the morning. Richard, then Phil, then on to your gran’s.’
‘We’ll be spending all day in the car at this rate,’ Mum said.
‘I don’t see how else we’re going to do it. It’s that or nothing. Few hours each way. We can bring your mum back here. Or stay there, maybe?’
‘I’m not going anywhere,’ Dougie said. ‘My friends are all here.’
‘We’re a family and we’re sticking together,’ Dad said, and he stormed out to the kitchen before anyone could argue. Dougie went after him.
‘I mean it, Dad, I’m staying here.’
Dad threw his empty coffee mug across the room and it smashed against the wall. ‘Then you’ll die alone son. Stop being so bloody selfish and grow up before it’s too late.’
#
Nick
