From that day, a tension pervaded the house like a faint, unpleasant mist. There was no lessening of the small shows of affection that were the family’s common currency, but both parents seemed to be preoccupied, and his father in particular seemed to be carrying a much shorter fuse than usual. On more than one occasion John had to beat a hasty retreat after some ill-judged remark. One day, at dinner, he stepped right over the edge. Bested by his father in a ‘deal’, he bridled and rebelled, disputing their established ground rules, even though he knew he was in the wrong. His father ignored the outburst and Ann tried briefly to intercede, but John persisted and turned on them both. Under normal circumstances his parents would have joined forces and laughed him out of his childish tantrum b
