‘Now, let’s talk doves,’ Molly said. ‘Daisy Quirk released some at her Joseph’s graveside, and aside from the one that panicked and slapped itself against a bus shelter it went off great.’

‘Ma, with the greatest respect, fuck off.’

‘Fair enough.’

They didn’t speak for a time, but as Molly pulled into the car space she turned to her daughter. ‘No one ever knows what lies ahead. All we can do is hope for the best.’

Grace said nothing but she nodded. Molly sighed and groaned as she lifted herself out of the seat.

I have the gene, Ma.

Chapter Ten: Marjorie

Chapter Ten

Marjorie

MARJORIE TOOK OVER ON sandwich duty as soon as she arrived to the Hayes household, bailing an increasingly frustrated Davey out. He was angry he’d been left to faff around with sandwiches while his mother and sister made the real decisions. ‘And they can’t even do that,’ he said. ‘Rabbit’s still in the godawful blue silk yoke.’

She made him a cup of coffee and told him to sit down. He was excused from slapping ham on bread, his heart clearly not being in it. Marjorie on the other hand would do anything to avoid thinking, and assembling sandwiches was as good a distraction as anything.

‘Can I ask?’

He answered with a quizzical look.

‘When are you going home?’ she said, and she couldn’t look at him.

‘Soon,’ he said.

She nodded. ‘Just like that.’

‘It’s not just like anything. America is my home, my life is there.’

‘And Juliet?’

‘Her life is with me now.’ He didn’t sound convinced. He couldn’t look her in the eye.

When she had put cling film on a fifth plate stacked with sandwiches she sat down opposite him. He just stared past her, lost in his own world, filled with pain, loss and worries.

‘We’ve both made a lot of mistakes, haven’t we?’

‘Please, don’t do this, Marj. I’m on the edge here.’ He looked like he might cry at any moment.

‘We’re arseholes,’ she said, ‘but Rabbit, she wasn’t one. She chose you so I’m backing you.’

‘Why?’ he whispered. ‘Why did she choose me?’

Marjorie gritted her teeth. ‘Don’t do this.’

‘Do what?’

‘Don’t start second-guessing yourself.’

‘I just want to know.’

Marjorie sighed a heavy sigh. Davey waited for her to speak. She remained silent. It made Davey anxious; maybe she couldn’t think why. Then she spoke slowly and deliberately.

‘She picked you because she idolised you, don’t you know that, Davey?’