its been so long since weve seen each other . `` that was n't what you said last week . '' i search the corners of the shop . she 's harmless , but years ago she used to work for a classified government agency . '' gramps interrupted with a cheeky grin , and my smile fell . she had n't meant to say it again , had n't really meant to say it the first time . he notices the earth packed into the right angle between the low brick wall and the concrete strip of the lane . 