Groomed: Part 2 of 3: Danger lies closer than you think. Casey Watson

      ‘You should go on the stage, you,’ she said, batting him on the arm. ‘And go on, then, O King of the Microwave. I’ll join you. But don’t blame your dad. I know I’m pretty high maintenance.’

      Hmm, I thought. Spoken like a woman of the world. ‘Glad you’ve noticed,’ I said, deciding there was no point in being off with her. As Mike had made clear, the ball was in her court now. To follow up her words with appropriate action. Which she either would or wouldn’t do. I hoped she would.

      ‘And like Mike said,’ I went on, ‘a night at home won’t kill you. So when you see your friends today make sure they know that, okay? In fact, it wouldn’t hurt if you showed willing by staying in a bit more anyway, love. If you want to do your best at college you are going to need your sleep.’