The words came out of his mouth before he could stop them. ‘I did. I don’t know why, but I did. I thought I’d be fine, but I saw the city skyline as we flew in and something flicked inside of me.’

‘I could see that,’ she said softly.

‘I don’t understand why Dean never stood up for me, Mum. Or Adam. I could understand you—I mean, you weren’t well when it all happened, and Dad was a controlling prick—but my brothers … we’re supposed to have each other’s backs. I would’ve if the boot had been on the other foot.’

‘Dave, you’re going to have to have this conversation with your brother. I’m your mum and I want you to deal with this because I can see it’s eating you up. I don’t hear from you often and you rarely call Dean, even since his accident.

‘This type of anger can do a lot of damage to a body. Trust me, I know. I lived with stress for years. My hair fell out, my gums bled, and I used to get a rash on my elbows and on other parts of my body. All that stopped after your father died. Often I’d go to the doctor about the smallest of things and he’d say to me, “I think it’s your stress levels.” I have no doubt that your body could start to react the way that mine did after living with anger and hurt for such an extended period.’

Dave was silent as he thought back to all the times he’d seen his mum told off by his father—the tone of voice and the way she used to shrink when he started to shout.

‘I never knew any of that.’

‘Darling,’ she chided him in her gentle way, ‘you’re my son. Of course I wasn’t going to let you see those things. I dealt with it the way I thought was best—by hiding it from everyone. That’s why I know that if you don’t have this conversation with Dean, you will never find out what might be possible between the two of you.’ She paused and Dave heard her take a sip of tea. ‘So I’m going to suggest something to you, Dave. Why don’t you hang up from me and ring Dean? Use this time to talk to him, because he’s not sure where he sits with you.’

‘I’ll try,’ Dave said, the words sticking in his throat.

‘I don’t want to point out the obvious, but it’s always good to face things head on. Take care, Dave, speak soon.’ She hung up the phone.

Dave was taken aback as the call was cut off. Go, Mum, he thought.