Gradually the house filled up with sounds – Irene singing in the shower, children’s voices, a grumpy shout from Clem, Irene calling to Sasha to hurry on down, a brief squabble between Clem and Aggie, Irene’s tightly controlled morning voice, the chink of cutlery on china, something clattering on the floor, lavatories flushing, the radio news, a doorbell ringing which meant the postman must have delivered a parcel that wouldn’t fit through the letterbox, and outside the increasing sound of traffic, of front doors shutting and car doors slamming. At half past eight the phone rang and a few minutes later Irene came in again. He lay quite still, his eyes screwed shut, and felt her gaze like a laser beam directed onto his face.

‘Adrian.’ She waited. ‘Adrian! I can tell you’re awake.’

‘Down in a minute.’

‘I’ll be leaving soon. Karen rang. Sarah had a baby boy last night.’

‘Ah!’ He opened his eyes.

‘Five pounds and six ounces. Connor.’

‘Connor,’ he repeated. ‘Nice.’

‘It is, isn’t it?’

‘They must be over the moon.’

‘Yes.’ Her voice softened for a moment. ‘They must.’

‘Are you all right?’

‘Yep.’

‘No, I mean, really?’

‘I’m running a bit late, that’s all.’

She started pulling on clothes – black jeans, a black tee-shirt, a thick zip-up cardigan in grey and pink.

‘What are you doing today?’ she asked.

‘This and that.’

‘Hmmm.’

‘What?’

‘What do you mean, what?’

‘You made a disapproving sound.’

‘Oh for God’s sake, Adrian …’

‘You do that – pretend you weren’t doing something when we both know you were.’

‘I just made a sound. I cleared my throat.’

‘Don’t you think I find it difficult, not having work, while you’re slaving away?’

‘I just think it would be better for you if you had a bit more structure in your day, that’s all. There are lots of things you can do. You could help me in the mornings for a start. And do a bit of clearing up maybe. Or –’ She came to an abrupt halt.

‘I get it.’

‘Anyway, this is the wrong time to talk …’

‘You only see what you want to see. Yesterday, who was it who got up? And who drove Sasha there and back from her –’

‘Let’s not do this.’

‘That’s easy for you to say once you’ve started it off. I know what this is really about. What you really think is I should give up on the whole fucking idea of acting and do a job like, like Gary.’

‘I’m only asking you for help sometimes.’

‘Why don’t you come right out and say it, at least.’ He was letting anger take over now, stoking it and relishing its self-righteous heat.