‘You’re sounding like Mum now.’

Queenie playfully punched his arm. ‘Now act normal.’

‘How’d it go?’ Daniel asked his brother.

Patrick shrugged. ‘So-so. I’ve told old McCarthy we’ll pay the total cost of the wedding, plus give him five grand on top for his trouble.’

‘Did he shake on it?’

‘No. He demanded ten, the canny bastard. Then Siobhan’s brothers turned up mouthing off, so I came away. We’ll sort it, don’t worry. The old man’s definitely calmed down. You stay holed up and I’ll come back next week with whatever dosh he fecking wants. Then you can travel back to London with me.’

Daniel winked at Queenie. ‘Can’t wait to get back to London. I’m bored here.’

‘Did you two have a nice catch-up?’ asked Patrick.

‘Yeah. Apart from Queenie begging for my hand in marriage, Patrick. I told her no, I’ve already been married too many times,’ chuckled Daniel.

Queenie felt herself blush. ‘Take no notice of him.’

‘I never do, Queenie. Jesus, you got far too much sense to ever get tied up with him.

‘Cheers for sorting stuff with the McCarthys, Pat. I’ll settle up with you when I get home.’

Patrick rolled his eyes. ‘And owe me the rest, I dare say.’

Daniel laughed. ‘Yeah. Something like that.’

Patrick glanced at his watch. He was starving. ‘You ready to make tracks, Queenie?’

‘Yes. Ready when you are.’

‘You got enough food to last you another week?’ Patrick asked his brother.

‘Yeah. I’m sick of eating tinned crap though, I need some proper meat inside me.’

‘You’ll be home soon. Just keep your head down, OK?’

Queenie felt awkward when Daniel hugged her in front of Patrick. ‘Bye then. It was lovely catching up with you, Daniel.’

‘Same ’ere. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Until the next time,’ Daniel kissed Queenie on the cheek and watched her walk down the path, never taking his eyes off her.

Queenie arrived home from Ireland in a daze and spent the next few days walking around as if in a dream.

Daniel rang her as they’d arranged. They chatted for ages every night, until Albie or one of the boys came home and she had to end the call.

Queenie knew Daniel was the love of her life, but the sensible side of her was wary. She wasn’t about to jump from the frying pan into the fire, not when she had the children to think about, but she couldn’t wait to see him again.

Queenie’s latest daydream was interrupted by Viv. ‘What’s a bleedin’ matter with you? That’s the second time today you’ve forgot to put sugar in my tea,’ complained her sister.

‘Sorry, give me your cup. I ain’t been sleeping well, if you must know.’

‘What, over that Peter? Don’t be losing sleep over him, Queen. He got what was coming to him, love,’ snapped Viv. The whole area was talking about what might have happened to the lad.

‘No. Not over Peter. I still feel guilty over the letter Mum wrote me. I want to visit Mum in the morning, apologize to her for the way I made her feel. Mary was my dear friend, but you only get one mother, Viv. So from now on, Mum is the only one out the two I shall talk about. Would you come to the grave with me?’