plastic.

 

My father gave a laugh. He came up to the table and picked up the model.

 

'Since the firm folded,' he said, 'I have a little more time on my hands.' He

laughed again, rather strangely. For a moment his face looked almost gentle.

 

'A little more time.'

 

'That seems odd,' I said. 'You were always so busy.'

 

'Too busy perhaps.' He looked at me with a small smile. 'Perhaps I should have

been a more attentive father.'

 

I laughed. He went on contemplating his battleship. Then he looked up.

 

'I hadn't meant to tell you this, but perhaps it's best that I do. It's my

belief that your mother's death was no accident. She had many worries. And some

disappointments.'

 

We both gazed at the plastic battleship.

 

'Surely,' I said eventually, 'my mother didn't expect me to live here forever.'

 

'Obviously you don't see. You don't see how it is for some parents. Not only