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Does a bear shit in the woods?

I had to take o that we’d get Will off on a long-haul holiday – hell, that ould get him out of this house – I would have told you that you were a few sandwiches short of a picnic Mind you, I’d have a quiet ith her about Will’s medical care before ent We couldn’t afford a near ain if ere stuck in the middle of nowhere

They even told Mrs T as she popped by, just as Louisa was leaving Will said it, like it was nofor a walk around the castle

I have to tell you, I was really pleased That ruddy online poker site had eaten allon a holiday this year I even forgave Louisa for being stupid enough to listen to Will when he said he hadn’t wanted her to do his tubes And believegreat, and I histling when I shoulderedforward to white sands and blue seas I was even trying to work out if I could tie in a short visit home to Auckland

And then I saw the outside the back door, as Lou waited to set off down the road I don’t knohat sort of a chat they’d had already, but they both looked griht the last line but, to be honest, that was enough for , Louisa’

20

‘You what?’

We were on the hills just outside tohen I told hih a sixteen- behind on the bicycle As I was inally less proficient on a bicycle than I was at particle physics, this involved a lot of swearing and swerving onon his He had actually wanted to do twenty-four miles, but I had told him I didn’t think my seat could take it, and besides, one of us needed to do the weekly shop after we got home We were out of toothpaste and instant coffee Mind you, it was only me anted the coffee Patrick was on herbal tea

As we reached the top of Sheepcote Hill, s like lead, I decided to just throw it out there I figured we still had tento the Xtre’

He didn’t stop, but he ca under him, and he looked so shocked that I nearly swerved into a tree

‘What? Why?’

‘I’’

He turned back to the road and picked up speed We had reached the brow of the hill, and I had to close ers around the brakes a little to stophim

‘So when did you work this out?’ Fine beads of sweat had broken out on his forehead, and tendons stood out on his calves I couldn’t look at the

‘At the weekend I just wanted to be sure’

‘But we’ve booked your flights and everything’

‘It’s only easyJet I’ll reimburse you the £39 if you’re that bothered’

‘It’s not the cost I thought you were going to supportto support me’

He could look quite sulky, Patrick When ere first together, I used to tease hih, and hi just to shutyou now, a, Patrick You know I do But I’ you’

We went on another ht have beenof Patrick’s feet on the road seeh above the little to,to stopevery time a car came past I was on Mu de hilanced behind, and slowed his pace a fraction so that I could draw level ‘So why can’t they get an agency person in?’ he said

‘An agency person?’

‘To come to the Traynors’ house I mean, if you’re there for six months you must be entitled to a holiday’

‘It’s not that si nothing, after all’

I held iven that I was coo on a trip’

‘What?’

‘He needs to go on a trip So they need me and Nathan there to help hiuy youabout this He wiped sweat from his eyes

‘And before you ask,’ I added, ‘no, I alanced down at the tar on the spot ‘What is this, Lou? Because … because it see blurred here bethat is work and what is … ’ he shrugged, ‘… normal’

‘It’s not a normal job You know that’

‘But Will Traynor see these days’

‘Oh, and this doesn’t?’ I tookfeet

‘That’s different He calls, you co’ I tried to smile