She looked around her, as if she had important things to do. It was her usual reaction, and Michael wasn’t going to say anything to challenge her. He got up from the bed slowly, pretending, as always, that he didn’t notice the clutter everywhere, the boxes of rubbish that she surrounded herself with. Smiling easily at his wife, he said gently, ‘I fancy a nice glass of red. You OK with that, darling?’

Josephine smiled back, grateful that her husband was always so kind to her, so very understanding. She saw how hard it was for him. ‘That sounds good to me, Michael. I love a nice red.’ As he opened the bedroom door, she had a sudden urge to say something else. ‘I’m so sorry, Michael. I wish more than anything that I could make everything all right for us. You do know that, don’t you?’

He turned back towards his wife and saw the sorrow on her lovely face. She was still a real beauty, still the only woman he had ever wanted. ‘’Course I know that. You’re the love of my life, Josephine, always will be. Now, let me go and get the wine. I feel like spending some quality time with my lovely wife.’ He winked at her saucily, then he left the room.

She watched him go and sighed. She had never wanted anyone else since the first time she had clapped eyes on him. She had always put him before everyone else in her life, even her daughter, and she always would. He was everything to her, and that would never change.

Michael came back with the wine and two Waterford crystal glasses. She followed him obediently out to her balcony; she knew he liked to see her in the fresh air. She sat down at the wrought-iron table, and took a large sip of the wine her husband had poured for her.

‘It’s chilly out here tonight, girl.’

‘I know. I was out here earlier on. It’s always cold in the evenings.’ Josephine looked at her husband; he was still a very handsome man. ‘Will you do me a favour, Michael? Will you ask our Jessie if she is really going to come on Sunday? Only Jake is expecting her, and I don’t want him to be disappointed. Waiting all day and then she doesn’t bother to show up.’

Michael nodded. He knew only too well what his daughter was capable of. ‘I’ll ask, but you know what she’s like. She’s so fucking unreliable. The only time I can guarantee her presence is when she picks up her money. Funny how she never sleeps in on a Thursday, isn’t it?’

Josephine didn’t respond to that; she knew how angry Michael could get over Jessie.