‘I dunno, love. Maybe he brings bad luck.’ Grammy pointed at Fred. Her mother just put her head into her hands.

‘Like old Ted Duffy’s black cat,’ Valerie said.

‘Exactly. You see that cat you’d better watch out.’ Bridie shook a finger sternly.

‘I had a cat when I was a kid – a cat, two dogs, a parrot and a few fish I won at carnivals. Although not all at the same time,’ Fred said.

‘I bet none of them survived you,’ Bridie said.

‘Ma!’

Valerie laughed – her mother’s face was a picture.

‘Well, no, animals don’t tend to live that long, Bridie.’

Valerie could tell Fred was embarrassed but he recovered quickly.

‘Ma, apologize to Fred.’

‘I will not.’

‘Right. That’s your last trip to Jingles. No more rock buns for you.’

‘You can’t do that!’ Bridie said.

‘Apologize.’

Bridie looked like she’d been punched. She turned to Valerie in disbelief. ‘I love Jingles.’

‘Uncool, Ma,’ Valerie said.

‘Apologize.’

‘I apologize,’ Bridie said, to the wall over Fred’s head.

‘No problem, Bridie,’ Fred said brightly.

He was a hard man to put down, Valerie had to give him that. Her grandmother and she remained quiet while Fred and Maisie talked together for a minute or so until Fred attempted to engage Bridie once more. ‘So, Bridie, you told me once you were a nurse in the war.’

Bridie belched in his face. Valerie laughed and slapped the table.

‘I’ve had enough. Fred, get your coat,’ Maisie said.

‘Where are we going?’ he asked.

‘Away from these two.’ She turned to her daughter. ‘Tell your brother there’s stew in the oven and mind your grandmother.’ She picked up her and Fred’s half-eaten dinner and dumped the plates in the sink, then disappeared into the hallway while Fred put on his coat.

‘Oh, that’s lovely.’ Valerie turned to her grandmother. ‘She’s starves me last night and abandons me tonight. He’s a great bleedin’ influence.’

Bridie took her granddaughter’s hand. ‘He’s trouble.’

‘Goodbye, Bridie,’ Fred said, but when Bridie refused to look at him he turned to Valerie. ‘Goodnight, kiddo.’ He smiled at her, then left the room.

‘I don’t want him here,’ Bridie said.

‘That makes two of us,’ Valerie agreed.

Bridie left her food on the table and walked into the sitting room. Valerie picked up her plate and followed her. She went to the window and watched as her ma and Fred walked down the path, their hands clasped, only breaking apart to get into the car.

‘There’s a storm coming,’ Bridie muttered. ‘Batten down the hatches, Maisie. Is the dog in?’

‘I’m Valerie and the dog died two years ago.’ She was watching Fred’s car move off.

‘I remember now. I’ll have a W, please, Bob.’

‘All right,’ Valerie said and she put on the Blockbusters videotape. Grammy immediately disappeared into the show.