‘What me and Jamie need, and the new baby come to that, is having you around more.’ She stroked her tiny bump. ‘I mean things never get done around here. The garden’s still a tip and Jamie needs somewhere safe to play.’

‘Which I’m doing. Didn’t you see I bought bark to tidy up the borders? Anyway, you should trust him to play out the front or go to the park once in a while.’

‘I don’t think so. Last week, Sharon from number fourteen said some teenagers hanging about the park went up to her Daniel with a flick knife.’

‘But a boy needs some freedom. You can’t keep him locked up. It’s better for him to be a bit streetwise, isn’t it?’

‘I’m telling you it’s not safe out there.’

‘I wonder what your dad would make of that.’ He laughed.

‘Oh, shut up.’

Silence edged between them. Ali took out a pan and started scraping potatoes. She pushed the peelings into the dustbin.

‘Why don’t you use the compost bin for those?’ He scooped the shavings out and opened the back door.

Ali submerged the chopping board in soapy water. ‘Because it’s easier to put them in the bin.’

‘But I’ve moved the compost nearer the back door for that reason. It doesn’t take any more effort.’ He lifted the lid and dumped them in. ‘Do you have to be so wasteful?’

‘If you want to take over the cooking, feel free. I was trying to make us a special meal.’

‘I’m not talking about the cooking. I mean everything. Look at this.’ He pulled an empty can of baked beans and a folded cereal packet out of the rubbish. ‘These can be recycled.’ He pictured Maddy digging compost into the flower beds and the girls having fun threading milk bottle-tops around a wire frame to hang in the apple tree. They were always mending and reusing things. He couldn’t believe how wasteful Ali was, throwing things away without a thought. Spending money like there was an endless pot.

‘Look, we can’t have this baby, Ali.’ He took a swig of Guinness.

‘Give me one decent unselfish reason why not.’ She put her hands on her hips.

‘We can’t afford it for a start. I’ve told you to cut down on shopping, stop buying all your silly knick-knacks, make-up, clothes, boots, shoes and God knows what else. My credit cards can’t take it anymore.’

‘What, getting my hair and nails done or buying decent shoes and clothes is silly, is it?’

‘Can’t you do your nails yourself? Do you need so much stuff?’

‘Stop turning it around to me being the problem.’ She prodded her finger in his arm. ‘What about you? Why can’t you commit yourself to us a hundred per cent?’