Bernie got up to replenish Marcus’s glass and Tommy saw that she was now a middle-aged woman. Her figure was fuller, her waist long gone. He was sad for a second as he visualised her as she had been when he’d first known her.

As she placed the glass in her husband’s hand Marcus winked at her and Tommy smiled to himself. They were happy, that much was evident. He knew that Marcus was one for the ladies, it was well known in their circles. Obviously Bernie knew nothing about it, which was good. A wife, a good wife, was worth hanging on to. Bernadette sat down and crossed her legs demurely. Her ankles were fat, and Tommy looked at them in consternation. When a woman aged, a beautiful woman, it was like the destruction of a beautiful painting.

He let his eyes roam to Briony. In the firelight, with only the lamps on, she looked exactly as she had the last time he’d seen her. Oh, the fashions had changed, but she was still the woman he had known, only now she was a real woman. In all respects she was a woman. And he intended to keep her like that. For as long as he could. He had wanted to see her about the twins, but that could wait now. He would pick the right time to talk about them.

‘Did the twins go to Mass with you, Mum?’

‘They did, God love them. Liselle came too, as usual.’

Briony frowned slightly. ‘What, no Kerry tonight?’

Bernie sighed. ‘Probably drunk out of her head. She really worries me, Bri. The other day I rang her up and she could barely talk. It’s not fair on Liselle. That poor girl has to cope with everything now.’

Briony said after a few seconds’ thought, ‘Kerry has a lot of responsibilities, you know. I asked her to cut down on the concert dates but she didn’t want to. I might go and see Victor. He manages her well, I admit, but I think he pushes her too hard at times. A friendly word might be in order there.’

Molly made a disgusting noise with her lips as she let her breath out and said nastily, ‘Send the twins round to see him. They’ll make sure my Kerry’s not overworked.’

Briony laughed. ‘If you had your way, the twins would be threatening everyone who ever drew breath! For God’s sake, Mum, Kerry has always pushed herself, you know that. She’s more famous these days than the bleeding Pope!’

Molly loved her daughter’s fame, like she loved the twins’ newfound notoriety.

‘Well, all I’m saying is, she should have a bit of rest like.’