‘Stop singing, Mum. You’re doing my head in,’ complains Brenda.

I smile. Nothing can dampen my mood today. My boys have achieved their dreams and for the first time in my life I am head over heels in love. Viv is suspicious, she knows there’s something up. I haven’t let on, I keep insisting I’m happy because I have finally made peace with Mum.

‘Don’t just barge in. Knock first,’ I scold Albie. I am sitting at the dressing table in my underwear, putting my make-up on. I bought some new undies this week. Not sexy – I would feel silly at my age wearing anything too provocative, so I purchased pretty ones instead.

Albie sighs. ‘I’ve only come in to get me suit. You ain’t got nothing I’ve not seen before, love. I am your bleedin’ husband.’

Not for much longer, I think to myself. I must’ve spoken to Daniel on the phone for fifty or more hours since leaving Ireland and I’ve made a pact with him. If he treats me right and I feel I can trust him, in six months’ time I will ask Albie for a divorce.

‘Cooey.’

‘Up ’ere, Viv,’ I shout.

Lenny runs into my bedroom clapping his hands.

‘Been driving me mad all day, he has. Overly excited about tonight. He wants to get there early,’ Viv says.

‘Can we go now, please? Please, Mum?’ Lenny shrieks, jumping up and down.

I stand up to put my dress on. I’ve brought a new one: black, calf-length with silver embroidery around the neck. Very classy and quite sexy in comparison to all my other frocks.

‘Jesus wept, Queen! You really need to start eating more. You’re beginning to resemble a skeleton. You sure you ain’t ill?’ asks my sister.

‘No. I’m fine. I’ve just been excited, what with the boys opening the club and all. I’m also still grieving our mum. Why don’t you go on with Lenny. I’ll meet you down there in a while.’

‘Mum, I’ll see you later. I’m going to meet, Kev,’ shouts Michael from downstairs.

‘Bye, love.’

‘I’m off too. Gonna pop in the Maurice for a pint or two first,’ says Albie. He’s dreading tonight, is positive that Vinny murdered young Peter Davidson. He doesn’t want to celebrate with Vinny. He hates the man his son has become.

Having always had a dream of making a late grand entrance on my own to the opening of my sons’ first club, I urge Viv to go on alone with Lenny. ‘I’m nowhere near ready yet,’ I lie. I need to gather my thoughts and have a sherry or two to calm my jangling nerves. I wonder if Daniel will already be there when I arrive. I’m sure I look more glamorous than he’s ever seen me before.

I put on my paste diamond earrings and bracelet, then go downstairs and pour myself a drink. Roy Orbison’s ‘Pretty Woman’ is on the radio. It’s the current number one and I can’t help but twirl around, singing. After years of feeling plain and drab, this is another song that reminds me of myself and Daniel. Nobody has ever made me feel so desired before, but he does. I actually feel like Roy Orbison is singing about me.