The idea came to him, as if someone was inside his mind shouting it. He could stay here and look after his Gran, even if officially the other way round. He was sure Mum and Dad would rule it out if he proposed it right now. But maybe he could give them no choice. A plan began to crystalise in his mind.
‘Gran,’ he said. ‘Can I have a present?’
Everyone stared at Zak as if he had broken wind.
‘Well dearie I’d love to give you something,’ said Gran. ‘but I don’t have any boys’ things?’
‘How about that clock,’ he said, pointing at the mantelpiece.
Gran shook her head.
‘What would you want that old thing for?’
‘Because I’m going to make you a promise,’ said Zak. ‘One day, I will return here and give it back to you.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ she said, with a tear in her eye. ‘I’ll be lucky to see next Christmas. But I appreciate the thought.’
Zak gazed sorrowfully at her.
‘Oh alright then,’ she said. ‘I can’t take it with me.’
She retreived the clock and handed it to Zak.
To everyone’s surprise, including his own, Zak jumped up and gave her a big enthusiastic hug.
‘Thanks Gran,’ he said. ‘I’ll see you then.’
Anxious that tears were about to flow, he rushed to the front door.
Outside, in the warm night air, he took a deep breath to calm his emotions. He allowed himself a little cheer. The first step to freedom had been taken.
He called Tom. An image appeared on his video wristband, showing a tent in a small jungle clearing.
So ashamed was he of his own body, that even when communicating by video, Tom used his avatar in a virtual setting. A commando emerged from the tent, wearing only a vest and trousers.
‘Zak,’ answered Tom. ‘Don’t you know what time it is?’
‘I haven’t a clue. I’m in Australia for the day visiting my Gran, and I had to get up before 3am.’
‘Its 6am here. I wanted a lie-in after yesterday,’ said Tom.
