Maureen Campbell saw her Thursday night Crochet Club as the social highlight of her week, even if she very rarely produced anything for her efforts. Jo long believed that it was more of a ‘Stitch ’n’ Bitch’ club, light on the stitching and heavy on the gossiping, The fact that her godmother, the very formidable Auntie Mags, was one of the other members, and that her mother frequently slipped a bottle of gin into her crochet bag before going out, did little to challenge her belief.

Jo reached behind her chair and retrieved the bag, which already held a bottle of tonic water.

‘Thanks, love,’ her mother said, sitting down at the kitchen table and taking a deep breath. ‘I’m tired tonight,’ she said. ‘I thought I’d be cruising towards retirement by now, not discussing who the best princess in Frozen is. I’m on Anna’s side, if you’re wondering.’

‘Clara’s very lucky to have you, Mum,’ Jo said. ‘We all are.’

‘Ach, I’m blessed to have her. She’s a light in my life, but sometimes I just wished that light came with a dimmer switch,’ her mother said with a small smile. ‘I’m blessed to have you all. I guess I’m just having one of those days where I’m missing your daddy. You know I can feel all at sea when he’s away.’

An engineer by trade, Jo’s dad had taken on a lucrative contract in Dubai – one which would allow him, and Maureen, a degree of financial security as they headed into retirement. The big catch, of course, being that Dubai wasn’t exactly in easy commuting distance of Northern Ireland. This was Paul Campbell’s last extended trip to the East and he had already been away for two months. There was still a month to go until he came home.

‘It won’t be long, you know. It will go in quick,’ Jo said.

‘Ach, I know. I’m just feeling sorry for myself and I’ve no need to. I’ve a lot to be thankful for. Not least your Auntie Mags arriving in a taxi any minute now with a bottle of gin in her bag.’

‘Well, you enjoy yourself. I’m not in the pub until twelve tomorrow, so I can take Little Miss Bossy Boots to school and you can have a well-earned lie-in.’

She watched as her mum’s smile transformed into one that was entirely genuine. ‘You’re a good girl, Josephine Campbell. You know that, don’t you?’

Embarrassed at the show of affection, Jo did what she always did in such situations – she brushed it off with a laugh. ‘Aye, of course I do. I’m the best,’ she said as she rolled her eyes.