‘So what’s with the Rambo act? Have you got the bailiffs after you?’

‘Don’t be daft.’

‘Well, something’s got you spooked.’

Aware that his son wasn’t going to stop digging until his curiosity was sated, Frank said, ‘If you must know, Irena’s recently escaped from a violent relationship, and she’s scared he’ll come after her.’

‘Ah . . .’ Evan drew his head back. ‘I guess that explains the bruises, then?’

‘Yes,’ said Frank. ‘And the less people who know she’s here, the less chance there is of him finding her, so you need to keep this to yourself.’

‘Fair enough,’ Evan agreed. ‘But you’d best tell our Jo what’s going on, because she called me when I was on my way over, and she’s really pissed off with you.’

‘I know. I spoke to her earlier, and she hung up on me.’

‘She call when your father is out, and I answer phone,’ said Irena. ‘I think she is angry when she hear my voice.’

‘You’re not wrong there.’ Evan chuckled. ‘Think yourself lucky she’s on the other side of the world, ’cos she’d be bloody livid if she could actually see you.’

Irena gazed blankly back at him.

‘I do not understand.’

‘No girl wants her dad to hook up with someone who’s better looking than them,’ he explained, grinning.

‘That’s enough,’ Frank chided. ‘I’ve already told you there’s nothing going on.’

‘If you say so.’ Evan winked at Irena.

Scowling at him, Frank said, ‘I need to go to Yvonne’s, so hurry up and drink your tea. You can drop me off on your way home.’

‘Weren’t you supposed to be going over there this morning?’ Evan asked, reaching for his cup.

‘I did, and I found her on the floor,’ said Frank. ‘It looks like someone broke in and whacked her.’

‘You’re joking?’ Evan’s eyebrows shot up. ‘And there was me going on about you finding her dead. Is she going to be all right?’

‘Your father call helicopter and they take her to hospital,’ Irena said, gazing at Frank as if he’d done something heroic. ‘And he has offer to take care of animal until she come home.’

‘Are you sure you’re up to that with your dodgy ticker?’ Evan asked Frank. ‘I can do it, if you want?’

‘I’m perfectly capable of feeding a few pigs and cats,’ Frank said, snatching his coat off the hook. ‘Let’s go.’

‘Actually,’ Evan said sheepishly, ‘I was going to ask if I could stay for a couple of nights.’

‘Why? What have you done?’

‘Nothing! Why do you always assume it’s me?’

‘Because it usually is.’

‘Yeah, well, not this time,’ Evan grunted. ‘Me and Marie had a barney earlier, so I went out for a pint.’

‘And?’

‘And she followed me and kicked off when she saw me chatting to a mate.’