Declan laughed at his mate’s cloak-and-dagger voice. ‘Oh yeah? So what is it, then?’

Michael Flynn grinned happily. ‘Katie’s pregnant. It wasn’t planned, but I’ve got to tell you, Declan, I’m over the fucking moon.’

Declan Costello was taken aback, but he recovered quickly. ‘Congratulations, mate. How old is Katie anyway?’

Michael gestured to the barmaid to refill their glasses.

‘She’s twenty-six. Not as young as she looks. But still a lot younger than me! Josephine has already pointed that out today. But I don’t give a toss, Declan. I really care about her, and I think she does me. And I want a child, I want a child of my own. I will marry her, Declan, and I will give her and my babies the world.’

Declan Costello was speechless.

Michael Flynn looked into his friend’s stunned countenance and he said gaily, ‘I’m the wrong side of fifty, and I have nothing left, other than Jake, of course. I want what I never had, Declan – a couple of kids, nice kids, and a woman who isn’t a fucking walking headcase. Josephine’s doctor told me that nothing I could have done would have changed her life. She has a personality disorder. I always thought it was my fault that she wasn’t the full five quid. But it would have happened anyway, no matter what. Katie is fun, she makes me laugh. So much of my life was spent holding Josephine’s hand, or living down my only daughter’s antics, pretending that I didn’t care, when I did care. I cared more than I could ever let on. But not any more. That’s all over now. She’s gone – my Jessie is dead and gone. Josephine and all her fucking problems are gone. This time around I want what everyone else takes for granted. I just want a normal fucking life.’

Declan Costello smiled. He raised his glass in a toast, and he said sincerely, ‘To you, Michael, and the next generation of Flynns.’