Page 12 of Connectio

“Sorry. I didn’t mean for that to sound rude. I just meant she’s one person, and so are you, so it’s the same thing.”

“Of course it’s too big for me too, but I don’t mind. I can keep an eye on Gran.”

I nod. “She must love having you look out for her.”

“She’s the one who looks out for me, really.”

I nod again. I have a Nonna, so I know what that’s like.

Oliver sits on the leather sofa, a coffee table before it with an open laptop and worksheets fanned out on top.

“Take a seat.” He pats the spot beside him. “I’m just catching up on schoolwork.”

I do as he suggests and pick up a worksheet, noticing it’s from over a month ago. “Have you not corrected these yet?”

He laughs as if it’s nothing. “Told you I was behind.”

“Oliver! You’re very behind. These should have been done already. The kids need their results if they’re going to progress.”

Picking up a red pen, I start marking the children’s narratives for their portfolios they’ll present in the coming weeks at the end of term.

“I know.” He leans back and places his hands on his head. “I’ve just been so busy.”

“With what?”

Not that it’s any of my business, but I’m curious as to what he’s prioritising over his students.

“Er… Gran. She’s been sick.”

“Oh!” I put down the worksheet and pick up another. “Is she okay?”

“Yeah. Well, some days. She has angina.”

“That’s no good.”

“She’s on meds, but I have to keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn’t do too much, you know?”

I nod and giggle at Evan Hunter’s narrative.

“What’s so funny?”

“Evan’s story,” I say. “I don’t think he likes his mum’s boyfriend.”

“Oh yeah? Why’s that?”

I point to the part where Evan locks his mum’s “friend” in a lion cage.

Oliver leans forward and reads what Evan wrote. “I reckon you’re right.” He leans back again, happy for me to continue correcting his work. “Poor kid. With a mum like his, he doesn’t stand a chance.”

I frown. “You don’t know that.”

“Have you seen Mrs Hunter?”

“Of course I’ve seen her.”

“Well, then, you’ll agree she looks like she belongs on a street corner.”

My jaw drops. “Oliver!”