Chapter 4

Mummy gave him a hug, and bent down to kiss him on the forehead. “I’m sure you know best, darling. Now, why don’t you run along and play with your friend while I sort out lunch?”

Giles trudged dutifully into the living room. Oz was playing Little Big Planet, and his sackboy avatar seemed to have acquired a new costume, very much along Zorba the Greek lines. “Et tu, Oz?” Giles muttered, flopping onto the sofa.

“Uh?” Oz said, fingers flying on the console. He didn’t look up from his game.

Giles crossed his legs, then uncrossed them. He picked up the Radio Timesand stared, unseeing, at the cover before throwing it down again on the coffee table. The cushions seemed extraordinarily uncomfortable today. He leant forward. “I—” He stopped, and cleared his throat. “I thought I might go back and see her again,” he said diffidently. “My mother, I mean. You could come too, if you like,” he added.

Oz hit the pause button, and turned to face him. “Sure about that?”