THREE

Two days later, a letter from the government made its appearance in the Appletons’ mail box. Nick opened it at once, his heart vibrating with expectation. It was the test results, all right; he scanned through the several pages – a Xerox copy of Bobby’s paper was included – and came at last to the determination.

‘He failed,’ Nick said.

‘I knew I would,’ Bobby said. ‘That’s why I never wanted to take it in the first place.’

Kleo began to snivel.

Nick said nothing, thought nothing; he was empty and numbed. A hand, colder than that of death itself, gripped his heart, killing off all emotion.