Ted nodded his head and smiled. ‘Me too.’ He took a long swig of his pint.

‘Sorry, I shouldn’t just blurt that sort of stuff out. It just happened.’

‘I’m getting used to it, no need to apologise. June and Amber said they very much enjoy your company and your candour. They’d like to meet again.’

He spoke of his other daughters, from his marriage, with affection. It was true, their meeting had been enjoyable. She’d been nervous about usurping their positions but she needn’t have worried, both daughters seemed pleased for their father. Kelly smiled. ‘The feeling is mutual. They’re confident women, I like them. What’s their mother like?’

‘She’s an alcoholic. I haven’t seen her in about three years now. The girls keep me updated but it’s usually the same every time: she had a fall, she was admitted to A&E, she hit her head, etcetera, etcetera.’

‘I’m sorry.’

‘So am I. I used to blame myself. I told myself that it was my job to stay with her because it was my job that isolated her.’

‘How?’

‘Well, I worked crazy hours and she was shy. All she did all day was stay in and run the girls around.’

‘It must be hard for them seeing their mother like that.’

‘It’s crucifying, but they love her. Every now and again she’ll promise to stop but she’s back on it within the week.’

‘Can’t she be treated?’

‘It isn’t something that is diagnosed and treated. It’s psychological. Addiction like that has one purpose and one purpose only: to drink more.’

‘Surely it will kill her.’

‘Yes, it will.’

‘Does she live on her own?’

‘Yes, I walked out of the family home and wanted none of it. The girls say it’s like a prison. She lives in a few rooms and the others get cleaned by my daughters when they have time.’

‘It’s not your fault. You didn’t cause it. She could have gone out and made friends, she could have got a job.’

‘No, not a job. I was the man, the provider, the bread winner.’

‘God, I’d go mad being kept like that.’

‘It was the way then.’

‘I suppose you’re right. My mother gave up work to raise my sister and me.’

‘I wish I’d known, Kelly.’

When Johnny came back to the table, Ted’s hand was on Kelly’s.

‘I’ve been invited to speak at a PTSD conference later in the month.’

‘Johnny, that’s amazing, where is it? Could I come with you?’

‘It’s in Manchester. Suicide rates among veterans are going through the roof.’

‘I know, I read about it most weeks,’ Ted said.

‘They just don’t get the support they need when they come back to normal life after what they’ve seen.’