‘One in two people born after 1960 will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime,’ Ryan said.

‘How do you know?’ Stephen asked.

‘Stand Up to Cancer on Channel 4.’

Bernard was already crying. ‘What does it mean, Ma?’

‘It means she’s way more likely to get cancer than anyone else, and seeing as it’s already one in two it means she’s fucked,’ Ryan said.

‘Jesus,’ Stephen said.

‘Ah no,’ Bernard said.

‘It’s OK, son,’ Grace said. ‘We have a plan.’

Jeffrey pushed his food away. ‘What plan?’

‘Your mammy is going to have surgery to remove her breasts and ovaries to reduce her chance of getting cancer.’

‘By how much?’ Ryan asked.

‘By enough to make it worthwhile,’ Lenny said, and he choked on the words a little.

‘When?’ Ryan asked.

‘I’m on a list, so whenever I’m called,’ Grace said.

‘I think that’s smart,’ Stephen said. ‘I think you’re doing the right thing.’

‘Thanks, son.’

She looked to Bernard who was sobbing and Jeffrey who was pulling on his ear, a thing he used to do when he was a baby and distressed. Ryan just looked straight ahead.

‘Any questions?’ Lenny said.

‘Is my ma going to die?’ Bernard said.

‘No, son. Not anytime soon, anyway.’

‘That’s what you said about Rabbit.’

‘Rabbit had cancer. Your mammy doesn’t.’

‘Yet,’ Ryan said.

‘Shut up, Ryan.’ Lenny snapped.

‘No, he’s right,’ Grace said. ‘I don’t have cancer yet, and if Rabbit had found the gene before she got cancer and had done the surgeries I’m about to do, maybe she’d be here today.’

‘What about us?’ Ryan asked. ‘If Rabbit had the gene and Ma has it, what about us?’

Grace’s heart stopped – of course Ryan would go there.

‘You’ll all be offered the chance to have the test when you’re older,’ Lenny said, and his voice broke a little. ‘Stephen, you’re old enough to have it if you wish.’

‘But we don’t have breasts,’ Jeffrey said.

‘Doesn’t matter,’ Ryan said. ‘We’re fucked, too.’

‘Please stop saying that word, Ryan,’ Lenny said.

Grace nodded. ‘If you have the gene, it means you are more likely to get cancer.’

‘Jesus,’ Stephen sighed deeply. ‘I just got a new girlfriend.’

‘I’m so sorry, son.’ The weight of everything came crashing down and Grace was in tears. Bernard jumped up and hugged his ma. ‘I love ya, Ma.’

‘I love you too, son.’

Jeffrey stood up and hugged his ma. Stephen walked over and kissed her on top of her head. ‘It’ll be fine, Ma. We’ll all be fine.’

Ryan stayed in his chair and when his brothers finally broke away from his ma, he looked at her and hunched his shoulders. ‘I just need to process, Ma,’ he said, and he got up from the table and walked away.