‘Honour me hole,’ Francie said. ‘Time to take your tongue out of his arse and start singing.’

Davey nodded to Jason, then he clicked his sticks – one, two, three – and the band kicked in. When Jason opened his mouth to sing, his uncle Louis was proved right – he was a real talent. Holy shit. He had a distinctive husky tone and he could reach every note, and then some. They rehearsed the set another two times, and by then Davey had it locked down. He struggled without a full kit, but he made it work.

They rehearsed until it was time to soundcheck; the burly sound guy with big hair and earplugs sat in behind the desk.

‘Let’s do this,’ he said.

They soundchecked for an hour and then it was time to eat. The pub laid on a good meal. Davey was starving. They all sat around a large table, chowing down on fish and chips and drinking beers.

Francie raised a toast: ‘To Johnny Faye, the best and fuckin’ unluckiest man I ever knew.’

They all raised their glasses.

‘And the mighty Rabbit Hayes,’ Jay said, and everyone drank.

Davey was drunk long before he hit the stage.

Chapter Forty-Eight: Marjorie

Chapter Forty-Eight

Marjorie

WHILE SHOPPING, MARJORIE PICKED up a light cotton dressing gown for Grace. She also stopped off and bought a box of chocolates, lip balm and a light moisturiser. She had made up care packages for Rabbit all the time and now it was Grace’s turn. She parked the car in the hospital car park and had intended dropping off the package at reception, before running smack bang into Lenny in the doorway.

‘Marjorie, what are you doing here?’

‘Oh, just dropping off a few bits.’

‘You’re very kind,’ he said, and he took the bag from her.

‘How is she?’

‘She’s in recovery. They’ll be moving her to the ward soon.’

‘Oh good. How are you?’ she asked, and she briefly regretted the question when the man burst into tears. She took him by the arm and guided him to the café.

‘Tea or coffee?’

‘I’d murder a latte,’ he said, wiping away his tears.

‘Snack?’

‘No, me stomach’s in bits.’

She grabbed two coffees, handed him his latte and sat down opposite him.

‘You’re very kind,’ he said.

‘That’s not what my mother says.’

‘Your mother’s lucky to have you,’ he said, and he took a sip from his latte.

Marjorie and Grace had spoken on and off over the year. Marjorie was a big supporter of her doing what was necessary to avoid following Rabbit to the grave.

‘You’ve been a huge help to Grace,’ he said.

‘She’s strong. She’ll be fine.’

‘I had to reef her out of the car and carry her to the door of the anaesthetic room.’