Valerie immediately covered her eyes and turned her back on her grandmother. ‘What’s wrong with you?’

‘I’m air-drying, love. There’s no toilet roll in this place,’ Bridie said. ‘Oooh …’

‘What?’

‘I feel dizzy, love.’

‘Ah, shite.’ Valerie sighed. ‘Stay where you are. I’ll deal with this.’ Mercifully her grandmother had dropped her skirt. She went to her, grabbed her knickers and whipped them up as far as her knees. ‘Take it from there, Grammy. Come on, pull, pull, pull.’

She did as she was told. ‘Easy.’

‘Nice one, Grammy.’

When Valerie went to flush the toilet she saw a full fresh toilet roll in the bowl. She thought about putting on a pair of gloves and retrieving it. Nah. Me ma will get it. If Jeremy was home he’d have put Bridie to bed, but she wouldn’t go anywhere for Valerie, even though she was tired.

When they were back in the sitting room, in front of the TV, Bridie became slightly agitated and Valerie sensed something was brewing. Oh, no.

‘Where’s Jeremy?’ she asked.

‘He’s at soccer practice.’ It was better to keep on lying, Valerie decided.

‘It’s too late for that,’ Bridie said, looking out into the darkness.

‘They have them inside now, Grammy. It’s real posh.’

‘But where is he?’

‘He’s on his way, Grammy.’

‘I want him home now.’ Tears welled in Bridie’s eyes.

‘You’re not alone.’ Valerie looked out into the darkness beyond the window, as if Jeremy might suddenly appear and make everything OK. ‘I’ll make you a cup of tea, if you like, and some of those biscuits you can dunk for half an hour without breaking.’

‘OK, love.’ She sounded fine but the tears kept streaming from her eyes. Then, all of a sudden, she had that weird wild look about her – the one that told Valerie she was lost in her head. ‘I’m looking for me family,’ Bridie mumbled. ‘Have ya seen them? Can ya help me?’

She’s bleedin’ gone now. Bridie clutched at Valerie’s hand, but Valerie shook her off and moved to the kitchen, leaving her to sob alone. ‘Those biscuits are comin’, Grammy,’ she shouted, as though her grandmother had a clue what was going on. ‘Any minute now.’

She stayed where she was, listening to her grandmother’s cries until it was safe. It was the best thing to do. When Grammy disappeared into the past or became confused, agitated or sad, Valerie shut down and pretended it wasn’t happening. I mean, what am I supposed to do? No one can help her, she’s gone. My grammy is gone.

She waited there until her grandmother dozed off, then covered her with a blanket and headed to her bedroom.

Maisie