Jack was scared and vulnerable and wondering what in the world his wife was thinking.

‘I don’t understand how we got here,’ he said to Davey, and Davey told him everything would be all right even though he looked unsure.

‘I’ve heard that before, son,’ he said.

‘This time, Da. This time it will be fine,’ Davey promised, while banging his hand off his head.

Mark appeared, harassed-looking. ‘Well, they’ve taken her to a holding cell at the back of the prison. She has the opportunity to apologise to the judge before the day is out, but if she refuses she’s going to be transported to the Dóchas Centre later this afternoon.’

Pauline was in an awful way. ‘It’s my fault, I should have stood on her toe or covered her mouth, kicked her in the shin or knocked her out.’

Davey explained to a weeping Pauline that the god of thunder couldn’t have stopped her. ‘You know what she’s like, Pauline.’

‘But this, Davey? She’s not able for this. Not on top of everything else.’

Thomas and Nicole paid their fine and got out of there quickly. ‘I’m sorry, Jack, but everyone knows that part of probation is not fraternising with fellow criminals,’ Thomas said as he practically ran out the door.

Jack just nodded. He was in no mood to fraternise with criminals either. Grace helped him to his feet. They followed Mark to a quiet corner in the reception area of the courthouse.

‘You have to talk to her and get her to apologise, it’s the only way.’

‘Can we see her?’ Grace asked.

‘Follow the Garda,’ Mark said.

‘Aren’t you coming?’ Jack said.

‘I can’t, Jack, I’ve got another matter to attend to this afternoon, and frankly there’s nothing else I can do here today. It’s up to you.’

Mark gestured to Sergeant Fogarty, who approached.

‘He’s taking us to her?’ Jack pointed to the enemy.

‘Sergeant Kevin Fogarty,’ he said, offering his hand to Jack, who shook it before he could gather his thoughts. The enemy!

‘Now let’s try to talk some sense into your wife,’ Sergeant Fogarty said.

‘She’s a very sensible woman,’ Jack argued, despite his current feelings and the situation at hand.

‘I’m sure normally she is, but the wheel has come off the wagon here, Mr Hayes, and we need to get it back on because no one here wants to see that lady incarcerated,’ the sergeant said.

Juliet grabbed her granda’s hand. ‘It’s going to be fine, Granda.’