I Have No Secrets. Penny Joelson

at the biscuits.

      ‘Can I have one, pleeeeaaaase ?’ Olivia demands.

      ‘I think I’ll get the chocolate finger biscuits out,’ Dad says loudly.

      That’s a bit weird. I think the stress has got to him. Olivia gives him a confused look. And then it clicks – he’s trying to tempt Finn out. Finger biscuits are Finn’s favourite. He always has to have three so that he can line them up.

      Dad puts three on Olivia’s plate and she beams. ‘I’ll put three on a plate here for Finn,’ Dad says.

      ‘Oh – Finn.’

      Finn walks into the kitchen and sits down, grabbing all three biscuits tightly. He doesn’t meet anyone’s eyes, but that’s not unusual.

      ‘Where have you been?’ Mum demands, as gently as she can manage.

      She knows he won’t answer, but I see her shoulders relax with relief as she turns to Dad with a smile.