Owen stood at the door with his mother while they both manoeuvred themselves into an awkward hug. She patted his chest in a similarly discomfited gesture. “You really have to teach that boy how to make a decent cup of tea.”
“Mother…” “I’m just saying.” She hooked her purse over her shoulder and stepped through the doorway. “And call Craig. The man has called twice since last night and he’s driving me mental.”
Owen’s groan echoed through the hallway. “Never mind your belly-aching. As a wise young man once implied in conversation, ignoring a thing doesn’t make it go away. It just makes it uglier when you finally face it.” She tapped her nose, pleased with herself, and for once the process didn’t make Owen want to reach out and snap her finger off her hand.
“I love you, Mom.”
She waved ov
