‘Thanks, boy. Where’s Michael?’

‘He shot off half an hour ago. Got another little dolly bird on the firm. As soon as he grows out of this wanting to shag the arse out of every girl he meets, Roy and I will take him on as a partner at the club. I know it’s early days, but we’ve already spoken about it. I’m determined to turn the snooker club into a proper little drinking den, a classy one. It’s gonna take me time to save up for the proper furniture I want. I plan to get the club up and running first, have a big opening night in a couple of weeks, then move upwards from there. We’ll get Christmas out the way, build up the custom and by this time next year, that club will look the bollocks, trust me.’

Queenie stroked her number one son’s cheek, ‘I got every faith in you, boy. Ever since you said your first words, I knew you were going places.’

Roy walking over spelled the end of the intimate moment between Mother and her firstborn. ‘I’m gonna shoot off, Mum, if that’s OK? I got a date tonight.’

‘Yes. Fine, love.’ Queenie patted her second eldest’s arm. ‘And thanks for helping out today.’ She and Viv had cooked and prepared all the food and the boys had brought it round to her mum’s in Vinny’s car. The boys had also bought all the alcohol and soft drinks. They’d seen her mum off in style.

Vinny snarled, ‘This is the third time this week he’s seen this Alice bird. I’ve told him to concentrate on the club, but does he listen? Nope. You need to talk some sense into him, Mum, like you did with me that time. We need to put our all into this new business venture. Birds are nothing but an unwanted distraction.’

‘You ain’t my keeper, Vin. I am allowed a social life an’ all. She’s a nice girl Alice, but I ain’t planning on proposing to her, if that’s what you’re worried about.’

Queenie squeezed both of her sons’ hands. ‘Now is neither the time nor the place for disagreements, boys. Not at your nan’s wake.’

Mr Ricketts walked over to Queenie and her sons. ‘You did your mum proud, Queenie, it was a lovely send off. The sun shone for her too. Molly loved the sun, would spend hours in her garden knitting and crocheting when the weather was warm. I have to make a move now, lovey. My Nora can barely walk these days. I can’t leave her for too long.’

‘Sorry to hear that, Mr Ricketts. Give my love to Nora and thanks for coming today,’ replied Queenie.

‘’Ere, they still ain’t found Old Jack’s boy, Peter. Been nearly a week now since the lad went missing. The cafe’s shut for the time being, but I bumped into Jack round the Paki shop. In bits he was, had tears streaming down his face. Such a shame. Not looking good though, is it?’