The Secret Keepers

That summer morning in the Lower Downs began as usual for Reuben Pedley. He rose early to have breakfast with his mum before she left for work, a quiet breakfast because they were both still sleepy. Afterwards, also as usual, he cleaned up their tiny kitchen while his mum moved faster and faster in her race against the clock (whose numerals she seemed quite unable to read before she’d had coffee and a shower). Then his mum was hugging him goodbye at the apartment door, where Reuben told her he loved her, which was true – and that she had no reason to worry about him, which was not.