As the cab slowed at a set of lights, I leaned forward and picked it up, smoothing it out. It was short and to the point.

Alexander,

Regrettably I have decided I will have to decline the kind offer to help your business out. It hasn’t been an easy decision but I think it is a fair one. Much as I would like to make the loan, I feel I am doing you more of a favour by not giving it to you at this juncture. I think it is time for you to realise what it’s like to be on your own – just like I was at your age. Also, I think you need to knock the boozing on the head. It ain’t doing much for you at all.

Good luck, son. I am happy to give you any (free!) advice that might add to your business acumen.

Yours,

Pa

‘Can you stop here, please, mate?’ Alex muttered at the driver, and jumped out into two lanes of oncoming traffic.

‘Alex, wait.’ I paid the driver. By the time I got into the bar, Alex was already halfway through a pint, a whisky chaser glinting on the bar beside it. He handed me a glass. Against my better judgement, I took it. ‘What are you doing?’

‘I’m not going,’ he said. ‘I’m not in the mood now.’

‘Don’t be silly,’ I soothed, but I was irritated. ‘Your mum will be so upset if you don’t show up.’

‘I just can’t bear to sit in the same room as my bloody father. I don’t get it, Mag. Why the fuck does he hate me so much?’

‘He doesn’t hate you, baby. He – he’s just Malcolm.’

Alex didn’t answer. He just drained his drink and ordered himself another.

‘Look, I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to go. I need to –’

‘Don’t leave me on my own, Mag. I don’t mean to be a shit, I don’t really,’ he muttered, kissing the side of my neck so that I shuddered with an emotion I couldn’t immediately place. ‘I need you, baby.’

I slid out of his grasp. ‘I can’t heal you, Alex,’ I said slowly. ‘It’s got to come from you. You’re going to destroy us both if you don’t stop all this soon.’

‘All what?’

The air between us curdled as we glowered at each other. A clot of misery swelled in my chest as he grabbed my arm. ‘Maggie? I said don’t go.’

I felt that eerie sensation when you peer down from a great height and see how easy it would be to simply step right off. The feeling you get when you’re almost tempted to do it.

‘I’m going to be late.’

‘You know, Maggie, you think you can save the world with your stupid TV show. But you can’t, baby.’