They sat at the huge pine table which showed patchy signs of having been varnished once, long ago. She took a packet of Bourbon biscuits out of the larder and emptied them onto a plate.

‘Would you like a splash?’ She held up a bottle of malt whiskey.

‘Yeah, go on then,’ he said.

She poured a generous measure in each mug. The ribbons of steam slowly entwined.

‘My plan is to find permanent work and hopefully do a few jobs on the side.’

‘You could try around Hayes or Yeading.’

‘I’ve heard they’re looking for someone at the builders’ yard, off the big roundabout. I’d rather stick to Uxbridge with the town centre and everything.’

‘I’ve never lived anywhere else. Been on my own since Mum died.’

Max raised his eyebrows. The beginnings of a wrinkled skin floated on top of his drink. He pushed it aside with the spoon and drank a mouthful.

‘What does that stand for?’

He put the mug down. She was looking at the letter ‘A’ tattooed on the inside of his wrist.

‘Nothing important.’ But she was waiting for an answer. He wasn’t about to tell her. He pressed his thumb into the skin and rubbed it, as if it were there by mistake and might come off. ‘I’m kipping at a friend’s place in West Drayton but not much in the way of work over there.’ He eyed her up as he took another slug of the warm, milky whiskey. She seemed quite green for someone her age. The way she took delicate little sips of her drink was kind of sweet. What was she thinking about behind those deep dark eyes? Perhaps she was amused by his hair which badly needed a cut, or his old jeans, full of holes he was trying to pass off as fashionable. The first thing he’d do when he made some cash was go up town and splash out on some quality gear.

‘When’d you lose your mum?’ he asked softly. Their eyes met.

‘Three months ago, now.’

‘I’m sorry. Must have been a tough time.’

‘I was caring for her. She’d been ill for years.’

A glass domed clock on the Welsh dresser built up its rasping click to strike the half hour with the clear tinkle of a bell.

‘Dad bought that for Mum when I was born.’

‘Is your dad still around?’

‘No, he died when I was at school.’ She put their empty mugs in the sink and led the way back into the hall. ‘Let me show you around. It’s in dire need of modernisation as you can see.’

‘I can get that sorted.’

‘Everywhere will need doing except the study. I’ll probably keep that as it is.’