Declan was well on the way to getting drunk. He was on the borderline at the moment, but he was feeling good. He watched the doorway, expecting Michael. Declan thought it was good for Michael to get out more, he had spent so much of his life pussy-footing around Josephine, it was good for the man to finally just do whatever he wanted to. It had been a hard year for him, he had buried his mother and his daughter, and he had seen his wife, the love of his life, sectioned, and dragged out of his home kicking and screaming. He deserved a bit of R and R. He had been getting that with young Katie Rourk, by all accounts, and good luck to him. Michael had never been the unfaithful type. He was a one-woman man. If anyone else had married Josephine they would have been out on the nest in no time, but not Michael.

Declan looked around the bar. There was no doubt that, for a private drinking club, it had a very good feel to it. No one got in unless they were members, and Michael and he agreed the memberships! How fucking neat was that? He could come here knowing that he wouldn’t have to deal with anyone that he didn’t want to.

He gestured to the barmaid for another drink, and she did as he requested immediately. It was early evening and the place was nearly empty. It didn’t really liven up till later, so he was enjoying the quiet. He picked up his Jack Daniel’s and Coke and, raising his glass towards the barmaid, he took a long drink.

Michael came down the stairs a few seconds later, all smiles, which pleased Declan. The man was finally looking relaxed again.

The barmaid was tiny – under five feet tall, and she had the smallest hands and feet Declan had ever seen on a grown woman. Her hair, on the other hand was huge. It was beautiful, her crowning glory, and she was always smiling. She had that kind of nature – she was a glass-half-full girl, as she had told Declan on more than one occasion. She automatically mixed Michael Flynn a large vodka and tonic.

He took it from her with a smile and, turning to Declan, he said happily, ‘I needed this, Declan. It’s been a fucking mad day.’ He took a large gulp of his drink; it was strong, even for him.

‘So? How was Josephine?’

Michael shrugged. ‘Same old, same old!’

Declan laughed then. ‘Hark at you! Who’d have thought it, eh?’

Michael lit a cigarette, and he pulled on it quickly. As he blew out the smoke, he said honestly, ‘I never thought we would ever have broken up. But we have, and I’m glad.’ Michael grinned suddenly. Then, leaning forward, he said quietly, ‘I have some news for you, Declan – you’re the first person to know.’