Eventually, though, Alfie’s parents managed to make Mrs Stokes understand what a routine was. Which meant that Stephen and Jenny could finally leave the house.

They were just about to go out of the front door when his dad paused for a moment by a picture in the hallway.

It was a painting that had been done by Alfie’s mum – his real mum – of the sea. It wasn’t one of those nice but boring ones, like people sell at craft fairs, of some cottages by the coast. His dad had told Alfie – who was too little to remember – that one of the things his mum had always wanted to do before she died was swim with dolphins. She never got to do that so instead she had painted this amazing picture, swirling with colour and movement and adventure, of what the sea might look like if you were rushing through it underwater.

Alfie had seen it so often he now forgot it was there. But, just at this moment, his dad was staring at it, like the painting had put him into a trance.

“Dad,” said Alfie, shaking his father out of it. “Are you sure about … going out tonight?”

Unexpectedly, he heard a voice from the small toilet beneath the stairs.

“Don’t worry! It’ll be fine! I’ll make sure everything’s all right here, you’ll see!” Mrs Stokes opened the door a little and peeked out at Stephen and Jenny. “You go! You need to go! You definitely need to go!”

And she shut the door again.

Jenny and Stephen exchanged glances. Stephen crouched down and put his hand on Alfie’s shoulder. “To be honest, Alfie, I’m not entirely sure. But here’s the thing: if you just stick to your routines, everything will be fine.”

Alfie looked into his dad’s eyes, to see if he was telling the truth. Which was quite hard as they kept on looking off to the side, towards the painting, again.

“What do you think, Jenny?” said Alfie.

Jenny opened her mouth to answer – possibly even to disagree with Stephen a little, from the expression on her face – but Alfie’s dad said: “Alfie. Let’s not discuss it now. We really have to get going. And besides – especially if you’re going to be asleep by 9.35pm! – you need to be getting on with your having-tea routine. You’re already …” he checked his watch, “seven minutes and forty-three seconds late laying the table.”

Alfie checked his watches. His dad was right. He nodded and turned back slowly towards the kitchen.

“Seven minutes and forty-five seconds!” said his dad from behind him.

“Oh, come on, Stephen,” said Jenny. “We’re already late ourselves now!!”

“Oh no!” said Stephen, running out of the door.