“Yes, please,” Brandon said from the living room.

“Thanks, Dad.”

I took two white ceramic mugs down from the wooden cupboard, got out two cloth napkins and arranged the lemon tea biscuits from the yellow box on a small porcelain plate.

When the kettle began to whistle, I poured the hot water over two black tea bags and carried the wooden tray out to the glass table.

I put one mug in front of Brandon and set the plate of biscuits between us.

Brandon picked up his mug in both hands, wrapping his fingers around the hot ceramic without raising it to drink.