from Retreat

Gus dialed the number. He looked at his watch. The kids would be home from school.

'Hello?'

'Susie?' said Gus.

'Daddy! Mummy, it's daddy!'

He heard muffled voices.

'Gus?'

'Hey, how are you?'

'Are you for real? I've been worried sick. That number you gave me doesn't work, you idiot.'

He could feel it starting again. He scanned the front of the phone, but there was no information on it. 'That was the number they gave me,' he said.

'You should have phoned when you got there. The kids have been up the walls. Susie...'

'How is everyone?' he said.

'How the hell do you think they are?!'

He looked at the pile of coins in his hand.

'...and I had to take Malcolm to the clinic yesterday, he's got a sore ear. If you were here, you would know...'

'I have to go,' he said.

'What do you mean you have to go? You've just...'

'Tell the kids I love them.'

'Daddy!' It was Susie. 'Daddy, when are you coming home?'

He looked at the receiver. He could hear the tiny voice coming out of it. He gently pushed his fist down on the cradle.