She grinned at his raised eyebrows.“Mage Tricky Ricky, I’m deeply offended that you have forgotten me so easily,” she pouted at him, but she had... no real annoyance in her voice. She knew he could read her body language and the nuances of her voice better than probably anyone on this planet. For all she knew, he could probably even read her thoughts.“Princess Picky Micky, where is your delightful mother?” he asked. He didn’t bother looking below because he knew she wasn’t here with Micky. In. She seemed anxious when I arrived home, but perhaps it was my imagination. And when she agreed to accompany me on a walk in the woods, I knew that she suspected nothing. We made small talk as we walked along the path, deeper into the woods until we reached the spot. She asked why we were stopping. I smiled reassuringly and taking her hands, leaned forward as if to kiss her. Instead I whispered two words. ‘ I know. ‘ At first she seemed puzzled but then realization sunk in and I saw the first. It had low wide branches and was really easy to climb – at least a little way. I remember when I was five or six being able to crawl under the branches to the trunk then climb up a little bit. Then I could sit on a branch with my back to the trunk and let my legs swing free. I would be totally enclosed by the green of the leaves. Totally cut off from the world. It was like my own little house that I could retreat to when The Parents were being weird or when I’d fought with Tara or when I wanted. 30 and I suggested a late night drink, we went to a local hotel where un-benown to her I had booked a room, we sat at the bar and ordered a few drinks the barman was a tall Mediterranean guy about 25 years old, Jade was getting drunk and was flirting with him outrageously, she said she was going to the loo and walked off, I spoke to the barman whose name was Carlo and asked if he found Jade attractive? A little embarrassed he said he did, I asked if after he finished work if he would like to.