Phil knew he had to be careful. The very last thing he wanted was to stir things up with Miss Martin, and he would never do that, unless he was absolutely certain there was something not right with Adam's situation.

On the other hand, Phil had wondered whether the problem could just be something straightforward, and therefore nothing to worry about. It might be that Adam was still struggling to feel comfortable in his new circ.u.mstances.

After all, this new family situation was all very strange to him. It could be that it was taking him longer to settle in than anyone had antic.i.p.ated.

Phil himself was still fretting because the authorities had flatly turned him down when he offered to take the boy. And whatever he said, they always had a well-rehea.r.s.ed answer, all tied up in red tape.

Phil had told them, 'You should ask Adam what he wants.' And they a.s.sured him it did not work that way.

So, he made up his mind to do the next best thing. He promised both himself and Adam that he would never be far away, and that he would see him as often as the Dexters allowed. It was the only alternative he could offer.

Fortunately, the Dexters had been as good as their word. They had allowed Phil and Adam time enough to be together, to go fishing and walking, and making the regular pilgrimage to the churchyard.

Occasionally, in her own free time, the lovely Polly from the children's home would join them. That was an extra treat for Adam, and especially for Phil, who always looked forward to her company.

To all appearances, Adam was well looked after in the Dexter household. He now had a wardrobe of smart clothes, a fast Raleigh bicycle in the garden shed, and a small amount of pocket money each week. He looked well, and he was growing fast.

Having turned thirteen a short time before he left the children's home, Adam still had that lean, lolloping gait of a young boy, and that recognisable, ever-untidy crop of brown hair.

Adam had spent two separate visits with the Dexters before approval on both sides was achieved. The next step required formalising the necessary paperwork, along with choosing a school and securing his name on the local doctor's list.

That done, Adam was now a more permanent member of the Dexter family, which included Buster the dog, who had welcomed him with open paws.

With all this running through his mind, Phil slowed his pace. Still unseen by Adam, he took time to study the boy before he should look up and see him approaching.

On his last visit, a week ago, Phil had reason to be concerned. Throughout their wanderings, Adam had very few words to say, and he was distant in his thoughts.

When Phil discreetly questioned Adam, he again a.s.sured him that everything was all right. And so, for the moment, he had to be content.

Now, though, he was learning a great deal from Adam's body language, and Phil could see a very unhappy boy. He noticed the way Adam was hanging his head and looking down, as though lost in thought. His shoulders were deeply hunched and there was an air of dejection about him.

He felt troubled. Something wasn't right, and somehow or other, without upsetting anyone, he meant to get to the root of it.

Just then, Adam glanced up, and when he saw Phil, his face lit up. 'Phil!' Leaping off the wall, he ran up the road, whooping and hollering. 'I've been waiting for you, Phil!'

Adam's excitement was a joy to the old man; so much so that he had tears in his eyes. They should have let me take him home, he thought angrily. Me and Adam, we'd have been just fine. It's true that I might never see sixty again, but I'm not ready for the sc.r.a.pheap just yet! His own dear father had lived to be a sprightly ninety years old, and still walked the countryside right up to the day he died.

Adam launched himself at Phil, who was almost knocked off balance. 'Steady on, son!' Catching Adam to his chest, he laughed out loud. 'You nearly knocked the stuffing outta me!'

Adam was so excited, he couldn't stop talking. 'I'm glad you're here,' he confided. 'I've been sitting on the wall for ages. I thought you would never come. I was beginning to get worried.'

'Well, you've no right to be getting worried!'

Taking out his old pocket watch, Phil checked it. 'I'm not late. You should know what time I usually get here on a Sat.u.r.day morning.'

Adam apologised. 'I know, but it seems like I've been waiting ages, and I was beginning to think you'd never get here. I'm really looking forward to us going across the fields, Phil. I've even got my wellies ready and everything.'

Hoisting his trouser leg up to the ankle, Phil pointed out, 'See there? I've got my new walking boots on, so it seems we're both set for a good old trek.'

When Adam asked why he hadn't got his loyal little dog with him, Phil explained, 'It's a pity, but since he sliced his paw on that broken bottle down at Badgers Den, the vet said it's best if he doesn't run about. He'll be all right, though. Pat from next door is keeping an eye on him while I'm out.'

He rolled his eyes in frustration. 'She treats him like a baby, and he laps it up, like you would not believe.' Laughing out loud, he confessed, 'I reckon she'd do the same to me, given half a chance!'

Adam innocently remarked how Phil would not want to take up with Pat because, 'You like Polly, don't you?'

Phil was shaken by Adam's observation. 'Well, of course I do. We both do, don't we? Polly is good company.' He added firmly, 'She's also a good friend, to the pair of us.'

He was shocked that Adam had latched onto his fondness for Polly. In future, he would need to be careful, although just now, talking about Polly had brought a warm flush to his old heart.

Side by side, they went down the street together, chatting like the old friends they were, and laughing out loud when Phil described his little dog's antics. 'Rex howled at the window when I set off, but Pat called him back for a juicy bone. It didn't take long for him to choose the bone over me, the little traitor!'

As they approached the Dexters' front gate, Phil had a question. 'Adam, will you be honest with me, son?'

Antic.i.p.ating the same question that he'd answered last week and the week before, Adam replied with a question of his own. 'Phil! Are you're still worrying about me?'

'Is there any reason why I should worry?'

'No reason at all.' Adam felt uncomfortable. Normally he would confide in Phil, but on this particular issue, he thought it best if he tried to deal with the situation himself.

A minute later, with Phil going at a steady pace and Adam running ahead, they arrived at the house.

'While you're getting yourself organised, I'll have a quick word with the woman of the house.' He still felt unable to refer to Liz Dexter as Adam's mum.

'But I am "organised",' Adam protested. 'I've been ready for a good hour.'

'Ah! But have you got all your stuff together?'

'What "stuff "?'

'Well, let's see. You'll need a coat in case the weather turns. I've got a full flask, and sandwiches enough for two.' He pointed to the canvas bag he was carrying. 'So we're all right for food and drink, and if we're in need of a treat on the way back there's always an ice-cream cart at the foot of Brent Hill.' He added the most important item to the list: 'Oh, and you'll need your fishing gear.'

'I thought you said we weren't going fishing today?'

'Well, we might, and in any case, it never hurts to be prepared for a change of plan.'

Adam heartily agreed.

As always, Liz Dexter was delighted to see him. 'Phil! Oh, come in. You've time for a cuppa, haven't you? It won't take me a minute. You timed it right, because the kettle's just boiled.'

She led him into the sitting room. 'Make yourself comfortable. I'll be back before you know it.'

Adam ran along the pa.s.sageway towards the back door. 'I'll just go and sort out the fishing tackle.'

Phil was quietly pleased, because he certainly did not want Adam sitting in while he was talking to Liz. 'We're all right for time,' he called back to Adam. 'There's no rush. Liz is making me a nice cuppa tea.'

As good as her word, Liz was soon back with a tray laden with teapot, cups and saucers, and a plate of shortcake biscuits. 'Help yourself, Phil.' Carefully pouring the tea, she left Phil to add his own milk and sugar. 'So, how's the little dog's paw?' Adam had told her about that the week before.

'Thank you, yes, it's healing well.'

'Oh, I'm glad. It's awful when they're hurt. They look at you with their big, sorry eyes and there's nothing you can do but follow the vet's advice. We had that with Buster last year. He got a thorn in his paw and we didn't even notice it; not until he started limping. By that time, it was infected. The vet confined him to the house and yard. Poor Buster. He was so miserable.' She added casually, 'Jim and Alice took him for a walk. Goodness knows where they've gone, because that was over an hour ago.'

Phil took a long invigorating gulp of his tea before opening the all-important conversation. 'Mrs Dexter, can I ask you something before Adam comes in?'

'Of course you can. But I'd be happier if you'd call me Liz.'

Politely pa.s.sing over this comment, Phil asked, 'I was just wondering, do you know if Adam is worried about anything?'

'No.' She seemed genuinely surprised. 'Not that I know of. Whatever makes you ask that?'

Phil was careful not to alarm her. 'Oh, it's nothing in particular. It's just that when we were out last week, he was quieter than usual. And just now, when he was sitting on the wall waiting for me, he seemed to be deep in thought.'

Liz was concerned. 'He hasn't said anything to me, and I haven't noticed anything untoward with him.'

Phil was relieved. 'Maybe it's just me. I'm well known for being an old fusspot. That's what comes of keeping a fatherly eye on the youngsters from school.'

Realising he was genuinely worried, Liz made a suggestion. 'It could be that Adam is still finding things a bit overwhelming. Just think of what he's been through, what with the sad loss of his mother and all that terrible business about his father. To be honest I'm not even sure it was right to bring Adam into it, but the authorities claimed they were duty-bound to speak with him.'

Phil harboured the very same sentiments. 'I expect they went by the book. Matters of that sort can be a minefield, if they get it wrong.'

'Yes, I suppose so. But then, as if that wasn't enough to be going on with, he had not long started at a new school and, as far as I know, he hasn't yet made any friends. Then there are all the other intrusions into his young life. Goodness! It's enough to unsettle anyone, let alone a young boy.'

'Yes, of course, you're right.' Phil agreed. 'It's a lot to deal with at his age.'

'It certainly is, though Jim and I think he's coped magnificently. But of course you never can tell how it's affected him inside. But we do talk about these things privately. And we try to keep him busy and make sure he gets plenty of recreation. Jim started teaching him the rudiments of golf, but Adam didn't take to it at all.'

Phil was partly rea.s.sured. 'So, do you really think I'm worrying about nothing?'

'Yes. I would say so, Phil. Being fostered into a new family is daunting for anyone. Adam needs time to adjust. But, rest a.s.sured, he's doing all right.' She confided, 'Adam and I have an agreement that if he's ever worried about anything at all, he would tell me.'

'That's good.'

Feeling easier, though not altogether convinced, Phil took another long sip of his tea. 'By! I must say, you do know how to make a satisfying cup of tea.'

The sound of the back door being opened heralded the return of Adam, complete with two fishing rods, a basket to sit on, and a small, narrow cart for carrying the load.

Phil was impressed. 'That's a fancy little cart, I must say.'

'Jim made it for him,' Liz declared proudly. 'He even measured the fishing rods so that everything would fit in. It's light and st.u.r.dy, so it's easily wheeled over uneven ground.'

Phil got up to take a closer look. 'Well, I never! That'll take the weight and no mistake.'

'I'll pull it,' Adam decided.

Phil was all smiles as he told Liz, 'Let's hope me and Adam catch enough fish to give you a feast at dinnertime.'

A short time later, she waved them off. 'Mind how you go.'

She watched as they went down the street, heading for the bottom lane, which led directly to open countryside. From there it was a ten-minute walk to the ca.n.a.l.

'You might cross paths with Jim and Alice on your way,' she called out as they rounded the corner.

Adam responded with a cheery wave of his hand, but his heart sank at her parting words.

'All right, are you, son?' Phil asked, sensing a sharp change in Adam's mood.

'Yes, Phil. I'm really looking forward to our outing.'

What he was not looking forward to, however, was crossing paths with Alice.

As it happened, they did not see hide nor hair of Jim and Alice.

Phil was happiest when he and Adam were spending time together. They chatted and laughed, and when they sat down to do a bit of fishing, Adam confided that he really liked Liz and Jim.

'They're so kind and thoughtful,' he said. 'They don't treat me like a baby. They talk to me as if my opinion really matters, and they never force me to do anything I don't want to do ...' his mood darkened at that point, '... not like my father did.'

Phil wisely let him talk on, and eventually, in one unguarded moment, Adam revealed something alarming. 'Alice doesn't like me,' he told Phil. 'She hates me being there.'

'Really?' Phil was taken aback. 'What makes you say that?'

Adam shrugged. 'I just know, that's all.'

'Has Alice actually said she doesn't want you there?'

'Not yet, no.'

'So has she done anything to make you feel she resents you?'

'Not really.'

'So, you could be wrong ... couldn't you?'

Growing impatient, Adam drew his fishing line out of the water and looked Phil in the eye. 'I'm not wrong, Phil. Alice hates me. She wants me out! And even if she doesn't say it, she tells me in other ways ... like the time she left a frog in my bed. When I tackled her about it, she laughed in my face. She said it was a joke, but I know it wasn't.'

He glanced about nervously. 'Sometimes she follows me about. It's like she thinks I'm looking to steal something. She makes me feel uncomfortable, Phil. She does it on purpose, because she doesn't want me there.'

For a long, awkward moment after Adam's heated revelation, neither spoke. Adam flicked the line back into the water, and continued fishing as though nothing had happened, while Phil pondered upon the anger in Adam's face when he'd spoken of Alice.

He tried to allay Adam's fears. 'Listen to me, son. It might not be what you think. Girls have a habit of playing tricks. It's just their way. They seem to get a laugh out of it, but I'm sure it doesn't mean she wants you out.'

Adam gave another shrug. 'Well, it feels like it to me.'

'But she's never actually said it to your face, has she?'

'No, but she will. I just know it.'

Phil continued to smooth over the situation. 'It might just be that she's a bit jealous of you.'

'Why would she be jealous of me? What is there to be jealous of? She's far better off than I am. She's got her mother and father. And she's got a little sister. Before I came to live there, Alice had them all to herself.'