‘And even if I didn’t I’d eat shite for you, Mai.’ Suddenly he pulled her into him and kissed her, with her ma only a room away. The room seemed to spin a little. It was all happening too fast but it felt really good, too good to be wholesome. Torn, she pulled away, she bit her lip and covered her mouth, flustered. She wanted to keep kissing him, but …

‘Am I coming on too strong, Mai?’ he asked gently.

‘No. Not at all. I just feel foolish.’

‘Why?’

‘It’s all so unexpected and …’

‘Good?’ he said hopefully.

‘Yeah.’ She nodded. ‘And weird.’

He pulled her in close to him, his beard against her cheek.

That’s the only thing I’d change. Beards are unhygienic, no getting away from it.

‘I’d never let anything happen to you, Mai. You’ll never have to fear me.’

‘I know that, Fred.’

He took her face in his hands and she put her arms around him, losing herself in the kiss. Yeah, that beard will have to go.

‘And that’s how you get yourself pregnant, young lady,’ Bridie said from the doorway. Then she pointed at Fred. ‘And you get out before I take the brush to you.’ She turned back to Maisie, her hands on her hips. ‘Into your room, Maisie Bean.’

‘Ma, Fred is my guest.’ Her voice held a warning note.

‘And this is my house,’ Bridie said, as Valerie walked in with her bag on her back and a face like thunder.

Valerie

Valerie threw her bag on to the floor and kicked it into the corner. ‘What’s he doing here?’ she asked, scowling.

‘I invited Fred for tea.’

Valerie eyed the flowers still sitting in the sink. ‘Jaysus, Ma, you pair need to calm down.’

‘Don’t be cheeky, Valerie.’

‘How are you, Valerie?’ Fred sipped his coffee, holding Bridie’s gaze.

‘I was grand.’ She eyed him suspiciously before turning to her grandmother, who was staring at Fred with murderous intent. ‘You all right, Grammy?’

‘I feel slightly sick, truth be told,’ Bridie said, and walked out of the room.

Valerie’s mother rounded on her. ‘Where’s your brother?’

‘Dunno.’

‘Did you see him at school?’

‘To see him I’d have to go and look for him. Why would I do that?’

Her mother looked at her watch. ‘He’s probably at Mitch Carberry’s. They’re never out of the place lately.’ Maisie glanced at the oven, then at the table, set for five people. ‘We may as well eat.’ She went to fetch Bridie.

Valerie watched Grammy stare at Fred for the entire meal. She was silent throughout, and when he spoke to her she ignored him. Valerie had never seen her grandmother behave like that before. It was quite entertaining. ‘What’s going on, Grammy?’