HEARTS OF CHILDREN AND THE SPIRIT OF THE 

Trina's mum got all teary-eyed when she asked if they could invite Henry for Christmas dinner. "You miss your Grampa, don't you?" she said.

Trina nodded. If she'd had her marvellous idea last year, Grampa would have belonged to her — and then she could have asked him about Elizabeth, and he wouldn't have been able to do anything mean to her. But still; there was no point crying over spilt milk, as Grampa himself used to say. You just had to do better next time.

So on Christmas Day, Trina laid an extra place at the table while her mum talked about the kind hearts of children and the spirit of the season. Henry cried a little, and said he'd like to wash his face before dinner.

"Of course," Trina's mum told him. "The bathroom's right at the top of the stairs."

Trina jumped up straight away. She'd learned that the majority of fatal accidents for old people were due to falls, with over 60% happening on stairs. The most common injury was a hip fracture, which could lead to infections, blood clots and all manner of medical complications, including something with the wonderful name of avascular necrosis. Trina was really hoping to learn more about that. It was the very first item on her Christmas list.

"I'll show you where the bathroom is," she said, and smiled as Henry took her hand.