It is my wife’s birthday weekend and we are away, with the middle one house-sitting. The term “house-sitting” is new to us – when our grown children lived at home, looking after the dog and the cat while we were away was just part of the deal; we never had to think about it. Now we have to invite them to do us the favour. Potentially, they could all say no.
Some friends are arriving later, but for the first night it’s just the two of us eating by candlelight. The evening is cool. The stars are very bright. My phone pings in my pocket, twice in succession. Although I shouldn’t, I look at it.
