A fool

‘Sausages!’ Nicky chose immediately. ‘On bread with tomato sauce.

Yippee!’

‘You’re easy to please,’ Murad said and grinned. ‘Irene?’

She chose steak and some fish and they talked desultorily as he cooked the food with Nicky playing happily around them as the stars came out and the wind dropped.

Mrs Mills might have thoughtfully provided a typical small boy’s favourite fare, but she’d also provided a green salad and new potatoes drizzled with garlic butter for the adults as well as warm, crusty rolls.

And when Nicky showed signs of flagging, a bit earlier than usual and before Irene and Murad had finished their meals, she came to take him to bed.

‘Thanks, that was nice,’ he said to Murad. ‘My pleasure, Nicky. Goodnight.’

‘Goodnight…’ Nicky hesitated and Irene held her breath as she got the feeling he was toying with what to call Murad, but in the end he just said goodnight again.

Irene watched him go off with Mrs Mills, then turned to Murad. ‘I don’t think calling you Dad is far off,’