Fletcher set his rucksack on his bedroom floor and headed into the sitting room. “Hello? Anyone home?”
Vera and Arnold emerged from their bedroom, giggling.
Fletcher narrowed his eyes at them. “What are you two up to?”
“The headmaster has agreed to let your dad come back to work.”
“Part time, next year first.” Arnold raised a finger in correction. “But there’s a pathway to returning to my full status.”
“Brilliant,” Fletcher said and eyed the clock on the sitting room wall.
Arnold sauntered farther into the sitting room. “Went to see a bloke at Haslar?”
Fletcher felt his automatic shield rise a bit, a built-in reflex at this point. “Corporal Clegg. Good mate of mine. Lost his leg.”
Arnold nodded. “Join me for a pint at The Eagle? That is, if you’re not too knackered from the trip.”
