3:28 PM

His wife sent the message during a budget review.

Rough afternoon. Mum and I had another argument.

He read it under the table.

Typed:

Did you call your sister?

Then:

Maybe you should give her a few days.

Then:

We should probably sort out the care schedule properly so this stops happening.

He hadn't sent any of them yet.

Another message arrived.

I don't need you to fix it.

Then:

I just wanted you to know.

He looked at the three unsent replies.

Deleted the first.

Deleted the second.

Deleted the third.

The cursor blinked.

At the front of the room someone asked whether he agreed with the revised forecast.

"Yes," he said.

His phone was still open in his hand.