Aidan drums his fingers on the bar trying to make a decision. It isn’t just because he’s tired that he should avoid alcohol. He shouldn’t be in a pub. He doesn’t want to arrive home stinking of beer, with clouded judgement and loose lips. He has to remain clear-headed. He eyes up the bottles of Becks Blue in the fridge, the Heineken Zero, but nudged by the awkward conversation that awaits him, can’t resist ordering a pint of the guest ale – Just the Job – as well as a glass of house white. He carries them over to the table and places them down, licks a splash of beer from the back of his hand.

He slides into the seat next to her and raises his glass before realizing there is nothing to celebrate, and lowers it again.

‘So…’ He’s awkward. Unsure.

Melissa sips her drink, places it down on a crumpled Guinness mat, before immediately picking it up and taking a slug this time. ‘You wanted to talk?’ She meets Aidan’s eyes. Hers are bloodshot, red-rimmed with sadness.

‘Yeah…’ He wipes his frothy moustache. The ale is going down too quickly. ‘But how are you first?’ Aidan should care. He does care, but what he really wants to discuss is Lucy. He hears Mel speaking but he isn’t paying attention, his mind on his own marriage, his own family, not hers. He inhales deeply and breathes out his selfishness. Places his hand over hers and focuses on what she is saying.

‘It’s not looking like Fergus is going to come back. I’ve no idea where he’s living. Ryan is… God knows. They don’t talk a lot at that age, do they? He seems okay one minute but angry the next but then teenagers often are. Fergus has really distanced himself from everyone.’ Aidan knows that. His messages to his friend have remained unopened. He squeezes her hand, encouraging her to go on. ‘I don’t know how Ryan will cope if his dad meets someone new, has kids.’ She isn’t crying, although she’s close to tears. ‘Not that I can see him with anyone else but… My mind is constantly full of what-ifs. I don’t suppose he’s been in touch with you?’ Mel asks.

Aidan shakes his head. ‘He hasn’t, Sorry. Try not to worry. He’ll be in touch when he’s ready.’

‘Do you really think so?’

‘I do. Yes.’ Aidan can’t let on to Mel just how worried he is about his friend, she already looks like she has the weight of the world on her shoulders. ‘Has he turned up for work, do you know?’ he asks casually as though he hadn’t rung the airline to try to find out.