Mandy hesitates, wringing her hands and biting her lip. Her mother, Janet, is cooking dinner. And her stepfather, Malcolm, is still at work, not due back from the office for another half hour at least. It's a quiet time in the house.

Mandy stands before her stepbrother's bedroom door. He has, in the past, assured her that if there is anything she needs to talk about, he'd be happy to do so. But, he has also told her that he hates being disrupted. Especially at this time of day.

Mandy takes a deep breath, and knocks on the door. Before waiting for a response, she asks, the anxiety and insecurity in her voice...

Mandy: "Can I ask you something?"

There's a long pause, and Mandy wonders if she should just forget about it. She finds some confidence, and girds herself, she's determined to get some answers on some questions that everyone seems to know except for her. She's tired of feeling clueless...

Mandy: "I don't mean to bother you, just... please can I ask you something?"