‘Nope. You take it. My boys are cake-o, they don’t fecking need it. I can’t wait to see my Seamus again. Knowing I’ll be buried with him gives me great comfort. Oh, another thing. My funeral will take place in Ireland, but I don’t want you to travel all that way, dear. It’ll be too upsetting for you, I know it will. You can put some flowers in a vase at home and light a candle for me on that day. No more tears now. Be strong, my special friend.’

The following day when Queenie took Vinny to the hospice, Mrs O’Leary looked so frail and ill, she could barely open her eyes. Queenie pulled a nurse to one side. ‘What’s happened? Mary was fine yesterday, sitting up and talking to me.’

‘She’s nearing the end now I’m afraid, Queenie. Quite often patients will perk up just before they are ready to pass.’

‘How long’s she got, d’ya reckon?’ Mary had only been at the hospice three days.

‘Days or even hours. I’d say your goodbyes now if I were you.’

Queenie sat down next to Mary’s bed and held her hand. She knew Mary was aware she was there as when she spoke, Mary slightly squeezed her hand. ‘I’ve brought Vinny with me, Mary.’

‘Is she dead?’ asked Vinny in a loud voice.

Queenie clipped her son around the ear. ‘No. Now I’m gonna lift you up and you’re going to kiss Auntie Mary on the cheek. I want you to say goodbye to her and tell her you love her.’

‘You sure she ain’t dead? She looks dead.’

‘Do as I say,’ Queenie hissed, lifting her son up.

Vinny turned up his nose and closed his eyes. ‘Bye, Auntie Mary. Love you.’

‘Queenie,’ Mary’s voice was no more than a whisper, so Queenie leaned closer. She could tell Mary was near the end. The death rattle was clear to hear in her throat.

‘What is it, Mary?’

‘You ever need anything or are in trouble, promise me you’ll go to my boys.’

‘I promise you, Mary. I will.’

As Mary went back to sleep, Queenie kissed her on the forehead, then left. She had a strong feeling this would be the last time she’d ever see her dear friend.

‘You sure she weren’t dead?’ Vinny asked yet again.

This time Queenie walloped him hard on his backside. ‘You ask that question once more, I’ll give you such a fucking fourpenny one when I get you home, you won’t sit down for a month. As to referring to Mary as “she”, show some respect, boy. She is the cat’s mother. That lady who you’ve just said goodbye to is Auntie Mary. Got that?’

‘Yes, Mum. Auntie Mary ain’t dead.’

Later that evening, there was a knock on the door. Queenie feared the worst, yet was shocked to see Dolores standing there.

‘It’s Mary, Queenie. She hasn’t got long now. Daniel asked me to give you this, said you’re to take a taxi up there.’