‘Ever since the accident he’s been afraid to go in a car. And we said goodbye at home.’ Fee squeezed her hand. They were standing on the platform, waiting for the 7.20 down. Fee looked up towards the stationmaster’s office where Margaret May had gone to check that Ruth’s big luggage was ready for the train. ‘Mattie and me, we want you to know we’ll keep an eye on your nan while you’re away, okay? Me and Mattie and Mum and Dad and Mattie’s mum and dad. And Grandma too – Grandma Milly, she loves your nan.’ ‘Thank you,’ whispered Ruth, and her eyes filled with tears, and then Fee’s eyes began to fill with tears, and ‘Yeah, well,’ said Mattie, ‘I think I’ll just go and sit in the car for a bit, leave you two girls to say goodbye and stuff—’ ‘Mattie! You’re not going anywhere! And haven’t you forgotten something?’ ‘What?’ Fee rolled her eyes at him. ‘Oh yeah.’ Mattie turned towards Ruth. He stood awkwardly before her like a shy boy with a bunch of flowers for the teacher.
