Secrets - Disagreement

'What's up?' Mel says as I make a start of the supper.  'Is it about that bloke downstairs offering to teach Robert the harmonica?'
           
She's chosen her moment well.  Robert's in the shower. 'Well,' I say. 'You saw how he was with Freddy.'
           
'He was just intrigued, that's all.'

'Yeah, I know. But I'm his dad.'
 
'Yes, and you’re a good dad.'

'Really?'

'Course you are.'

'Look, he doesn't speak to me. He blanks me all the time.'

'Me too,' Mel says. 'Listen, I've been thinking about it a lot recently.'

'And?'

'Well, the last time we spoke about it, I know you weren't keen on the idea.'

'See someone?'

'It wouldn't hurt, would it?'

'I don't want my son labelled.'

'Why not, if it's going to help?'

'I don't think it will help.'

'But you don't know that for certain.'

'Yes, I do. I know how these things work. They go round in circles.'

'We should at least get a professional opinion.'

'No, Sis.'

'Alan.' Mel sighs.

'I'm sorry, the answer's no. If he won't speak to us, he's not going to talk to a professional, is he? He just needs a bit of time and space to get over the summer. And in any case, a referral will take ages and by the time we get an appointment, we'll be back in London, so it will be a complete waste of time.'

'Okay,' Mel says, tersely. 'You know best.'