“I’m just gonna try again, so I can tell him I know it’s not true,” said Rosemary. “He didn’t organise that ambush.”

“He’s blocked you though, Rosemary,” replied Officer Howler. “Ruff.”

“He hasn’t!” she exclaimed. “There’s something been wrong with his account, that’s all. It’s sure to be fixed by now.”

Rosemary logged into Lapine Death Corps as the character Jake had set up for her. Welcome, Empress_Of _Dominion autogreeted the computer game.

“Ahhh, he’s offline… Nevermind, I’ll send him a message. And an email just in case he doesn’t see that.”

“He’s not offline,” said Melissa gently. “I can see him on mine. I’m sorry Rosemary, but he’s blocked you.”

“No, he hasn’t!” Jake’s Mom insisted. “It’s just all this technology stuff, I’m not very good with it. I must have pressed the wrong button. Anyway, that’s fine – I can talk to him on yours.”

She grabbed the keypad before anyone could object, and typed.

“Hi Jakey. It’s your Mom.”

Jake’s character went from green to red. OFFLINE it said in huge letters.

“Oh… I missed him again,” she said.

“Rosemary, that’s what it shows when you are blocked,” said Melissa.

“Don’t be silly dear,” Jake’s Mom replied. “He’s just gone for his tea or something. I’ll send him an email instead.”

Melissa looked up at Officer Howler, who just rolled his eyes. She shook her head and said no more about the situation.