He raised his eyebrows, but had the good sense not to deny it. He lifted a hand, did a little uncertain waving with it, and ended scratching his nape.

‘I just wanted to talk. We never do these days.’

‘We never did. And you know why better than I do.’

There was never a bigger truth, she mused. Perhaps she could use this sort of truce he was offering to discover the specifics.

‘Actually, you could tell me,’ she said. ‘Go ahead, I’m used to family insulting me, as you already know.’

He looked taken aback.

‘I don’t mean to offend you. But we could talk over a coffee. I was going to have breakfast.’

‘I don’t have the time now. Say it and I’ll be on my way.’

‘It’s goi...

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