I thought on Monday that things might roll along and the plan was to ask my son during the half-term break in February what he wanted to do. At least that was the plan.

On Tuesday afternoon he asked me to call him then said, after asking about the flat, that he'd done alot of thinking. "Dad, can I come to live with you?" Plainly I was overjoyed but common-sense prevailed and I said he had to do two things. Firstly he had to tell the aunt (and risk the fall-out from that discussion) and secondly tell his school. They were critical to make his move seamless.

I dropped emails to both his current school and the school he would attend here. I had replies from senior staff at both within the hour. The current school was surprised, at a parent evening the night before, not a word had been mentioned. I pointed out by reply that nothing could be said until my son made up his mind. At the new school the Deputy Head outlined the procedure for admission.

As he is about to choose his O Level subjects the timing is critical. In fact his move needs to be carefully planned, fortunately that is one of my strengths.

He didn't get to speak to the aunt last night in the end but managed to do that this evening, without hassle. When I contacted him at 6pm he was in a good mood. He hadn't spoken to the school but would try to do so on Thursday, So far so good.

In the meantime I have formally applied for a tenancy for the apartment I viewed on Monday and handed over a retainer. I'll find out in a week or so if I've got it.

I am also putting in for a job at the same school that he will attend (and my daughter in September) as a technician. I can do the job blind-folded and am overqualified, but it's a job and would pay the rent.

So, as the title says, I have progress.

Yippeeee

Shiraz