‘No, you’re not one of my girls,’ he said. He pulled her closer and she rested her head against his chest. ‘The first time I saw you, you reminded me of Shirley Temple: blonde curls, a pink silk bow, a perfect little dress, patent leather shoes and socks with frills on them. You were the prettiest little thing I’d ever seen.’

‘You looked like a dead bird in denim on denim.’

‘You were there for me when the band broke up and I was drinking myself to oblivion.’

‘I had a huge crush on you, and I knew if I hung around long enough and you were drunk enough you’d have sex with me.’

‘Wow, slow down, Bill Cosby, I’m going to have to review our relationship.’

‘Yeah, it was pretty shady.’

‘I forgive you,’ he said.

‘Thanks.’

‘Besides, you’re the reason I ended up in New York, working in your uncle’s bar. I met Casey and my whole life changed. You saved me.’

‘Yeah, I’m a sexual predator slash hero,’ she said. ‘There is something between us, isn’t there, Davey, it’s not just me?’

‘There’s always been something between us, Marj.’

‘Just a place and time thing, then.’

‘Yeah,’ he said.

‘Are you ever coming home?’

‘I don’t know. What would I do here?’

‘Everything, anything.’

‘I don’t know.’

‘It’s time I got myself a different life, Davey.’

‘I know.’

They fell asleep in one another’s arms.

*

Davey was in the shower when Marjorie woke. She sat up and checked herself in the mirror. Holy shit! She looked like the Joker. She grabbed some tissues out of the box by the bed and wiped off the heavy make-up. Her face was still dirty but she no longer resembled a comic book villain. The door was open; she walked into the bathroom and Davey turned to face her.

‘Good morning,’ he said.

‘Good morning,’ she said, and she realised she still had one shoe on and one off. She kicked it off.

‘You coming in?’ he asked.

‘Do you want me to?’

‘Yes.’

‘We’re still the same people we were last night.’

‘I know.’