They both looked up in surprise to see him. ‘Where’s Lee?’ Yvonne asked immediately.

It was logical that they should expect the brother who currently resided at De Silva House, but Aaron was feeling prickly and kept his answer short. ‘He went to Jordy’s.’

Yvonne blinked and he knew the tone he’d used wasn’t the one he usually used with his mother but all evening, through Clancy showing up at his house, even when he’d been sitting pressed against her, smelling her shampoo and watching the way her hair swung, he’d been gently simmering underneath.

In fact, maybe being even ruder might be the way to add weight to what he was about to say. He picked up the TV remote and turned off the darts match they’d been watching. ‘So what was that with Clancy?’ he demanded of his mother.

Fergus glanced enquiringly between Aaron and Yvonne. Yvonne looked uncomfortable. ‘What?’ she asked defensively.

Aaron pulled up a chair and folded his arms as if prepared to sit there all night. ‘If you want it spelling out, I told you that Clancy and I were seeing one another. I got the impression that you were going to make an effort not to blame her for the actions of her cousin. Then you’re in my garden, she walks in and you and Auntie Norma march out. That’s what. You were rude to the girl I’m seeing, in my own home. I think I’m due an explanation.’

He watched his mother’s face, reading the expressions that flitted across it – doubt, sheepishness, irritation – and refusing to fill the silence. His dad, he noticed, was waiting too, his expression one of frowning enquiry.

‘If you put it exactly like that, I suppose I can see why you’re miffed,’ she allowed at length, smoothing the fabric of her trousers. ‘I just felt that it would be hypocritical of me to sit there without saying anything.’

‘About?’ He was bewildered.

Yvonne sighed, meeting his eyes with the kind of expression he was used to seeing when he’d transgressed in some way. ‘I’ve tried not to interfere but Genevieve’s a lovely girl and we’ve known her a long time. I suppose I let her colour my judgement. You’re my son and I shouldn’t have. It’s just that it all seems a bit two-faced to me.’

Aaron shook his head. ‘This conversation’s like plaiting jam. What are you talking about?’

His mum’s gaze darted away again. She pushed back her hair. By the end of the day it always defied whatever styling product she’d used to tame it and hung defiantly in her eyes. ‘I met Genevieve in the village. You know we always got on well so she invited me for coffee. She told me Alice had asked her about Lee and she said she hoped I wasn’t too worried “now Clancy’s asked Alice back”. I didn’t realise that Clancy had asked Alice to come back and when I saw her tonight, with Lee having been so quiet and sad since Alice turned up like a bad penny, I had trouble biting my tongue. I thought it was best I leave before I say something I’d regret.’