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“Ah,” I said defensively That was the third ti on at hoe if physical skills get ahead of verbal skills” I sh to believe every parenting theory I read on the internet, but neither was I one of those entitled ht that just because my son was now at nursery I wasn’t required to put any effort into being his parent anymore; or, even worse, was blind to the possibility ofany faults in the first place “And of course, his speech is a little delayed But I’d welcoestions”

Susy visibly relaxed “Well, as you say, it is typical two-year-old stuff I’m sure you know this, but it can help if you gressive, he’ll coitirams he watches? I’e, at least not until the hitting stage is over And if you play any violent videogames yourself—”

“I don’t play videoga else, I don’t have the time”

“I’m sure It’s just that we don’t always think about the consequences of things like that” She sht process behind her eyes Stay-at-homan if she played Call of Duty

“And we’re working on sharing, too,” I added “Taking turns who chooses what to have for lunch, that kind of thing”

“Well, it certainly sounds as if you’re on top of it” Susy got to her feet to show the discussion was over “We’ll keep a close watch here, and let’s hope he grows out of it”

Understandably, then, I wasn’t thinking about the wealthy-looking couple and their estate agent as I left the nursery I orrying about Theo, and why he was taking so long to learn to play nicely with the other kids But I’ back, that by the time I reached the street, the three of them were nowhere to be seen

2

Case no 12675/PU78B65: AFFIDAVIT UNDER OATH by D Maguire

I, Donald Joseph Maguire, make oath and swear as follows:

I a Persons, a London-based investigative agency which traces over two hundred individuals a year on behalf of our clients We do not advertise All our work comes by personal referral

Prior to starting this business, I was a senior detective with the Metropolitan Police, a position I held for thirteen years, leaving with the rank of detective inspector

Last August I was approached by Mr Miles and Mrs Lucy Laate, N19 3JZ They wishedtheir son

3

PETE

AT HOME, I TURNED on the coffee machine and opened my laptop The coffee machine is a Jura, the laptop a top-of-the-line MacBook They were the only two bits of kit I insisted on when Maddie and I started having the difficult conversations about which of us was going to stay home to look after Theo once her maternity leave was over The idea was that I’d work froot a place at nursery Having a really good co a stay-at-home dad feel like a step up, a new opportunity, rather than a step down in my career

Though actually I hate the phrase stay-at-hoative, passive construction, the absence of so No one calls women in my position stay-at-home mums, do they? They’re full-time mums, which immediately sounds more positive Total mums, mums without comprooraphobic to leave the house and get a proper job Which is what many people secretly do think, actually Or, in the case of Maddie’s parents, not-so-secretly Her father’s an Australian businesshis Khan, and he’s h he’d probably phrase it, The boy’s a bloody bludger

There was breakfast to clear up, the recycling to sort, and toys to tidy away, but while the Jura whirred and spluttered—grinding beans, frothing ed onto DadStuff

Just seen a poster for World Book Day at h! Ideas? Really don’t want to buy a ready-e me even more