Mum has once again invited John and Harry to visit her at her new flat. Harry declines, saying that she's busy with schoolwork. (Does she really expect Mum to believe that? Harry hates school.) John, however, takes her up on the offer. (Mum sounded so sad on the phone that I couldn't say no.)

Mum picks him up that Friday afternoon and takes him to dinner at his favourite pizza place. After dinner, she shows John her new flat and what she calls her "lucky chips" – metal discs in different colours. She tells him that she gets one for every month she goes without drinking. Right now, she has seven chips. If she can get to a full year, she will have a party and invite her children.

John has a rugby game on Saturday and for the first time, his mother attends. He's a little embarrassed at her enthusiastic cheering and a little worried when he sees Dad and Harry are at the game too. Dad and Mum are civil to each other, and even Harry seems impressed by Mum's progress.

When she drops John off at home on Sunday, she hugs him and says, "Let's do this again next week."

John's greatest fear is that she won't come next week.