Benjamin rubbed his brow, and took a deep breath. "It doesn't mean..." Eurgh. What Benjamin wanted to say was that being sensitive wasn't an excuse. But that was just going to line him up for being compared to his Uncle again wasn't it?

Siiigh.

Squatting to pick up whatever Garrick wanted him to read, his cousin's comments choked him. He let himself fall down backwards on to the stone floor, and bit his lip as he ran his fingers through his hair. Ogden senior was the only father figure he had...was it so bad that they got on, when Benjamin's mum found what seemed like every excuse under the sun to shun him?

A tear threatened to roll down his cheek, and without a look to see wherever his cousin was headed, Benjamin started unfolding the letter, unsure what to expect.