‘I’ve known him so long I guess I’ve forgotten how he can come across to other people,’ Dom says. ‘I just know what he means to me and George.’ Something happens to his voice when he says George’s name and he tries to turn it around by pretending it’s a yawn. Don’t try and kid a kidder, Dom.

He twirls his empty mug in his hands and I think maybe it’s over and I’ve got away with not saying anything, but he’s just catching his breath.

‘The first time Danny came to stay with us was when Kath . . . when George’s mother died. I was a complete mess. I was barely capable of looking after myself, let alone a two-year-old. But Danny drove me home from the funeral and he didn’t leave for a month – even quit his job, and it was one he actually liked. I don’t really remember the first couple of weeks, and even now I’ve no idea what he got up to with George that entire time. But I guess that’s what I’m getting at. Because even then, especially then really, when I was close to losing it, all I knew was that if George was with Danny, he was OK. He was safe. Because I’d trust Danny with the most precious thing in my life, no questions asked, but I probably wouldn’t let him use my good saucepans. You know what I mean?’

I do. I hope Dom doesn’t notice how hard it is for me to suck oxygen in and out right now because of how much I bloody do. And what if he’s right? What if Danny is the guy? What if he actually is the one I need, the one I can trust with the most precious thing in my life? Maybe we’d have to sacrifice a few saucepans along the way, but also maybe so what? Quid pro quo.

A door slams and George calls out to the dog. There’s a scrabbling of paws on polished floors, and then muffled thumps as Gentleman tears up the stairs to what he’s probably fully expecting to be the most exciting time of his life. Dom stands up and walks over to the window.

‘You know, it’s been four years since Kath died, but this house is still so full of the space she left behind. It’s way too big for me and George, but when Danny came back to stay, it just seemed like he filled it up again, or something.’

Dom stares out into the darkness and I think, Volume, capacity. Got it.

When the hurricane from down the hall arrives, I think maybe we’re both a bit relieved. George is sharp and straight away he knows he’s walked in on something. Gentleman’s right behind him, waiting for the fun to start, but George stands still, in his Buzz pyjamas and bath-wet hair, and his eyes go from Dom to me and back again. Then he just walks over and grabs his father’s hand and looks up at him, like they’re at a bus stop ready to go. It makes me want to cry. That lovely man and his lovely mad little kid, a couple of carbon cut-outs waiting for their bus, missing their Kath. Protecting their Danny.