The other nine times Patricia told me she was out, at the clinic, at a friend’s, in the shower, or — six of the nine — busy studying.

Busy studying.

Six times in fourteen days.

My daughter was in her second year at a community college on Thunderbird taking four classes and she had told me in July that she was finding the statistics one easy.

And I said, nine times, “Okay, tell her I called.”

Not once in fourteen days did I say: put her on.

Not once did I hang up and dial her mobile directly, which was in my favourites, which took one tap.

I have asked Daniela about those fourteen days and what she has told me is this.