In contrast, Jeremy was the golden boy. He minded his grandmother, his mother and even his little sister when she’d allow him. Aside from his fondness for the word ‘Jesus’ (Bridie always maintained that it was used more as a prayer than a curse), he never swore, at least not in front of adults. He helped his ma carry the shopping and he always made sure the doors were locked and the fireguard was in front of the fire. He was the man of the house and he took his role seriously. Of course, he wasn’t a saint: he had a very annoying habit of lecturing his mother.

‘Jesus, Ma’sie, how many times do we have to talk about the dangers of hanging tights on the fireguard?’

‘Sorry, son.’

‘Seriously, Ma’sie.’

‘You’re right. Sorry.’

‘Don’t let me see it again.’

‘You’re crossing the line, buddy.’

‘Sorry, Ma’sie – but tights off the fireguard.’

Sometimes Maisie dreamed of shoving a pair of tights into her son’s mouth. He was mad for closing doors, too. He spent half his life shouting at people to shut them. It was especially annoying when the person he was roaring at was still walking through the door in question. Even Bridie had a pain in her face with it. ‘Ah, for God’s sake, child, let me get through the fucker first,’ she had once hollered. Everyone got out of Bridie’s way when she shouted.

Gentle, sweet, lovely Bridie had never shown any signs of aggression before she’d started to lose her marbles. The doctor explained that anger and lashing out were symptoms of her condition. It was understandable but every now and then, when she lost her temper, it terrified Maisie. Bridie had pushed Jeremy into a wall one day when he’d annoyed her over a door. He was shocked but pretended he was fine, even though he’d banged his elbow against the frame. Bridie breezed past as though nothing had happened but Maisie saw the tears in Jeremy’s eyes. Her heart had sunk. Oh, no. It was only a small incident, no real harm done, but it had upset her and, more importantly, it had upset her son. Maisie had removed her children from one violent home and she didn’t fancy having to do it a second time.