‘I shouldn’t imagine caffeine will affect you trying to sleep, I expect you are both beyond exhausted, so fill your boots.’ I placed the tray filled with coffee and brandy and biscuits on the coffee table. ‘I have plenty of whatever you need. It was so cold last night, wasn’t it? Not much better today. Have you seen the frost out there? I don’t know how you could have gone out in that weather. I suppose though, in a way, it was a good job you did.’ I felt Ben’s look hit me before I saw it. ‘I’m just saying, son. It was very… lucky.’

‘Mum. Not now.’ Ben sat down on the sofa next to Daisy and poured two brandies. I watched as he handed one to Daisy. Interesting how they wanted my brandy now, but they weren’t willing to stick around for more than twenty-four hours over Christmas and enjoy it then, when it was supposed to be enjoyed; when it really mattered.

Ben downed his brandy and then stood and walked to the window.

‘It is cold though, I think it might snow,’ he said as he nudged the curtains with his finger. ‘Best not to drive anywhere over the next few days. I heard reports of a storm.’

‘Oh, you know me, son, first sign of bad weather, I’m tucked up like a hermit. You wouldn’t catch me driving anywhere in this cold.’ As I spoke, my hand found its way into my trouser pocket and I curled my fingers around the cold metal of a circular mirrored keyring.

Daisy downed her brandy in one then flopped back into the sofa, her eyes staring intently at the ceiling, as though she could see something we couldn’t. I pulled my hand out of my pocket

‘If you need anything to help you, Daisy, you know, I have a vast selection, painkillers, sleeping tablets, the works. Just let me know.’ I went to the opposite sofa and began to plump the cushions. I thought about these two people in my house, how it should only be Ben and me. Everything was off-kilter. As I moved along the sofa to the rest of the cushions, I felt metal shift inside my pocket and the slight sound of keys clinking.

Daisy reached forward and poured herself a second glass of brandy and I watched Ben’s lips open to speak, then he closed them again. It only took a few more seconds to see that both shots of brandy had taken effect.

‘I need air.’ Daisy stood too quickly and Ben lunged to grab her. I began to pace the room feeling redundant.

‘Oh son, this is terrible. Just terrible. Poor Daisy. What will we do? You have some of your things here still, son. I told you it was wise not to take everything with you.’ Ben pulled Daisy into him, his strength and stature still surprised me sometimes. As he walked towards the door, he gave me a weak smile.