‘You know why,’ he told Pat, shy of elaborating again. ‘I want to sort things out in my own mind. You know, I want to be sure.’ ‘I don’t know,’ Pat admitted. ‘I’ve never had a real girlfriend – for long enough.’ ‘We’d better get you over that hurdle as soon as we can,’ Willie laughed. ‘I don’t know if I want to.’ After a few moments of silence, Pat burst out, ‘Anyway, I’ve been thinking. Why don’t you come home with me? My Mum won’t mind. She’ll be glad to see I’ve made a close friend at last.’ ‘But she won’t want an unexpected visitor turning up.’ ‘She’ll be glad, I tell you. Get your warrant made out to Elgin.’ Although it made him feel like some sort of deserter, a traitor to his family and to Millie, Willie did as he was asked and Mrs Michie did make him very welcome. ‘Pat’s always been such a loner,’ she confided. ‘I’ve been really worried about him. I thought for a while he might be … you know … but I can see you’re definitely not one of those.’ She put a hand on her hip and minced a few steps, giggling.
