‘Enough!’ Frank barked, shocking them both into silence for the second time that night. ‘Have you any idea how much it used to upset your mother when you squabbled like this? She hardly saw either of you from one year to the next, and she’d lay on a lovely spread whenever she knew you were coming. And how did you thank her? You’d wreck it all with this ridiculous, childish bickering – that’s how! It’s no wonder Sam and Marie can never get out of here fast enough when you fetch them over, because they can’t bear the flaming atmosphere you two create. None of us can.’

Frank’s face was puce by the time he finished, and Jo stared at him open-mouthed.

‘I’m so sorry, Dad. I had no idea you felt like that.’

‘Well, now you do,’ Frank replied bluntly. ‘I’m only glad your mum doesn’t have to suffer any more of it, because she deserved better.’

‘Yes, she did,’ Evan agreed. ‘But all this with me and Jo, it’s just banter. We don’t mean anything by it.’

‘Maybe not, but it’s time you both grew up and started treating each other with respect,’ Frank said gruffly. ‘If these last few months haven’t taught you the value of family, nothing ever will.’

When they both apologized again, Frank released his irritation on a long-drawn-out breath. Then, pushing himself up to his feet, he said, ‘We’re all tired, so let’s draw a line under this and call it a night, eh?’

After kissing her dad goodbye and telling him she would call round to help him clean up in the morning, Jo gave her brother a rare hug before heading outside. Evan followed seconds later, and Frank watched from the porch as they reversed their respective cars out onto the lane.

A blissful silence settled over the house when he closed the door, and he felt the tension lifting from his shoulders as he went back into the living room. It was years since the kids had left home, and he’d grown used to the peace and quiet. Today, with the house bursting at the seams with mourners, the noise had been deafening, and all he’d wanted to do was hide in the barn until every last one of them had gone – Evan and Jo included.

Especially them, by the end.