Derek didn’t know long he had stayed in his mother’s arms, he didn’t actually care, not until he heard movements in the passageway, movements that told him that someone or some people were coming to his room. He didn’t put it past his friends. What were they coming to meet him for? He thought a bit annoyed, as he reluctantly disengaged from his mother. He had told them that he needed some alone time. So much for alone time. He thought, aware that his mother was staring at him.

He stared at her steadily as she stood up from the floor and crossed her arms across her chest.

“Seems you...