‘God’s honour, Pally. On the Sacred Heart, I swear. I’ve told you. I ain’t seen Claire since the night I had my fight with Matty. Get your hands off me, you silly old bugger.’

All the receptionists were squawking in alarm, and Josh could see the doorman turning, hearing the commotion and about to come in and sort it. If he started a brawl in here, Shauna would do her nut.

‘My poor Eva’s still in bits! Why’d you have to do it eh? Why’d you just have to run off the two of you, and cheat everyone like that?’ demanded Pally, twisting uselessly, his hot whisky-soaked breath puffing in Josh’s face as Josh restrained him.

‘I told you, Pally.’ Josh put steel into his voice now. ‘Listen to me, will you? We didn’t run off. That’s rubbish. Claire ain’t with me. We parted company on the night I fought Matty O’Connor. I haven’t seen her since. That’s the truth. I looked for her in Moyross, you know I did. And I came back to the site. But she never showed up.’

‘You’re a miserable coward and a liar,’ shouted Pally, but his movements were getting weaker. He was very drunk, and against Josh’s youth and superior strength he was wearing himself out.

Josh watched the man weaken with pity in his eyes. So Claire still hadn’t come back. Pally was getting himself drunk and no doubt Eva was still clutching Claire’s bridal gown and wailing for him to do something. But there was nothing he or anyone else could do; Claire had obviously made her decision and left them all behind – him included. It hurt, but what could he do about it?

‘I don’t lie, Pally,’ said Josh as Pally’s movements slowed to nothing and they just stood there, two big men locked together. ‘If Claire’s still missing, it’s because she’s gone off on her own steam somewhere. It’s nothing to do with me. I’ve told you all this before. She told me she hated the fight game and she blew me out, that’s the truth. I accepted that, and went my own way.’

Still, Josh knew in his heart that if he ever saw her again he would want to plead with her to give him a second chance. He loved her. He’d love her until they boxed him up and dumped him in his grave. But now Shauna was carrying his baby. He had new responsibilities. All that love he’d shared with Claire must be forgotten.