FRIDAY 2.10 P.M.
‘Oh, Mike, do take care.’
Mike sighed. It was the tenth time at least that his mum had said that. ‘Mum, I’m taking as much care as I can. It’s not like I’m swimming with crocodiles or something. I’m just sitting here.’
‘What else are you doing?’
‘Watching a video. Sort of, anyway.’
‘Which one?’
‘Titanic. Does it matter?’
‘No. I … I’m just talking for the sake of talking, I suppose. You’ll call me at once if … if anything happens?’
‘Yes, Mum,’ said Mike. ‘I promise I’ll call you.’
He mentally crossed his fingers as he said it. If anything did happen, if another one of them got sick, he didn’t think the first thing he’d be doing was ringing his mum.
‘I love you, Michael.’
Michael glanced around, but everyone was speaking into his or her phones too. No one seemed to be listening to him. ‘I love you too, Mum,’ he said quietly. ‘See you soon. Don’t stress. There’s nothing to stress about. Really.’
‘Nothing to stress about!’ his mum’s voice choked with what was almost laughter. ‘Oh, Mike …’
‘Love you, Mum,’ said Mike again, and pressed the ‘Off’ button.
He leant against the wall and shut his eyes.