Rupe’s house wasn’t what I’d expected at all. It was big enough, at least compared to Mum’s semi, but it needed a lot of work. The paint on the windowsills was cracked and peeling, and the garden was mostly losing its battle with the weeds. A patch near the front door where someone had clearly put in a bit of effort lately only made the rest of it look worse by comparison. Rupe caught me looking as we walked up the drive. “I’m afraid Mother’s arthritis has been playing up again. She used to love gardening.” He said it quietly, sadly, totally different to his usual ringing tones. “And Josh?” He put a hand on my arm.
“Yeah?”
“Father can be, well…” Rupe stared off into the clouds that were billowing around the sky. “You mustn’t mind anything he says. Best to just play along, really. He has
