Albie ruffled Michael and Brenda’s hair then stood up. No way was he apologizing to Vinny. His own flesh and blood had nearly strangled him.

Shuffling out of the room, Albie put on his suit jacket and said nothing as he left the house. Neither the house nor the kids felt like they belonged to him any more.

Queenie stood up and wiped her hands on her apron. ‘Got it all out. Look!’ she said to Vinny. ‘You can’t see any bloodstains now, can you?’

‘Well done, Mum,’ Vinny smiled. He knew why he’d lost his rag. It wasn’t just about the carpet; he was het up because he was dreading Auntie Marnie’s party. ‘Mum, I’ve got to work late tomorrow, really late. So I’m gonna stay round my pal’s rather than come home.’

‘Erm, I don’t think so, love. I haven’t even met this friend of yours yet. Why have you got to work late anyway?’

‘There’s a private function, and I’ve offered to be a waiter. The money’s good and, apparently, I’ll get loads of tips. It’s all rich people there. It don’t finish until the early hours.’

‘I’d still rather you came home, Vinny. I don’t mind any of youse boys kipping over mates’ houses that I know, but not strangers’ houses. Tell me more about this mate of yours. I don’t even know where he lives.’

Vinny glanced at the clock. ‘Not now, Mum. I gotta be somewhere in a bit. I’ll talk to you later.’

Albie banged on his brother’s front door. No answer, so he looked through the letterbox, then put his hand inside.

‘Can I help you?’ a woman asked abruptly.

Albie spun around and for once felt ashamed of his drab appearance. He’d slept in his strides and, not being the best material, they were creased like no tomorrow. Thankfully, he’d had the sense to hang his suit jacket over the banister. But he hadn’t had a wash or shave. ‘It’s all right, love. I ain’t no burglar. I’m Bert’s brother.’

‘Ivy and Bert have gone away for the weekend. I saw them leave this morning. They’re visiting Ivy’s sister.’

‘OK, thanks.’ Albie walked dejectedly away from the house. Bert and Ivy wouldn’t leave a key on a string inside the letterbox, they had no kids so the two of them had the house to themselves.

Knowing he wasn’t welcome back home, Albie looked in his wallet. He had a ten-bob note and a bit of loose change. Debating whether to pop round Fishy Fanny’s as he usually did on a Friday afternoon, for once Albie decided he couldn’t be bothered. He was in no frame of mind to get his leg over. After the morning he’d had, all he wanted was another drink and his local would be open now.

‘You’re late. You not going to work today?’ Viv asked her sister.

‘No. I rang that posh bitch up from the phone box around the corner and told her I have a sickness bug. She wasn’t happy, but tough shit. Just a shame it’s the day I get my wages, but I can manage without ’em until Monday, thanks to Vinny. As for bleedin’ Albie,’ Queenie hissed, before explaining what had happened earlier. ‘So I sent him round his brother’s, told him to stay there a couple of days. But I tell you, Viv, I’m worried sick about my Vinny. Something ain’t right with this new job of his, which is why I thought we’d take a trip up town today, go to Soho and track him down. I wish he was working with the Kelly brothers or somebody I knew. At least I could be certain he was safe then.’ Queenie had even debated getting in touch with the O’Leary brothers to see if they knew where Vinny was working. But had decided against doing so for one reason or another.