She lashed out in surprise and almost sent her nephew Scotty flying across the room. ‘Auntie Maggie!’ he yelped. ‘It’s me!’ She sat bolt upright on the sofa and the cushion she’d been using as a pillow tumbled onto the floor. Scotty picked it up and handed it back, his little face a picture of hurt. ‘I’m sorry, Scotty, but you made me jump poking me like that. I was fast asleep.’ ‘I know – you were snoring.’ ‘Me, snore? Never!’ Maggie reached forward and pulled him onto her makeshift bed. Scotty squealed with mock indignation as she rained kisses on his cheek. ‘Get off me! I’m not a baby!’ After a few seconds, she let him ago. He scrambled off the sofa and stood near the door, beyond arm’s reach. He was still in his pyjamas – navy blue with footballs dotted all over them – and his thick brown hair stuck up at odd angles from where he’d rolled about and fidgeted in his sleep.
