Because they were on their school holidays, Joey and Frankie were allowed to stay up later than usual. As the front door opened, they ran to greet their mum and were surprised, but also delighted, to see their dad.

‘Cuddles, Daddy, cuddles,’ Frankie demanded.

Joyce poked her head around the door and beamed at the happy family atmosphere.

Eddie put Frankie down and held his arms out to Joey. ‘Come and have a cuddle with your dad, eh?’ he urged him.

Joey ran into his arms. ‘Do you still love me, Daddy?’ he asked solemnly.

Eddie held his son tighter than ever before. ‘I love you more than you’ll ever know, Joey,’ he said, stroking his head.

Jessica ushered her mum back into the lounge and had a brief word with both of her parents. ‘Mum, Dad, thanks ever so much for letting me and the kids stay here. You’ve been brilliant, both of yous have.’

Joyce hugged her. ‘Everything sorted, love? You going back home?’

Jessica nodded. She was desperate to get back to her big house and taste her home comforts once more.

Stanley sat stony-faced staring at the telly. He had nothing to say, nothing at all.

‘You don’t mind if we shoot off now, do you, Mum? Our clothes and the kids’ toys we can pick up tomorrow.’

Joyce smiled as Eddie walked into the room with a twin in each arm.

‘I’ll pack all your stuff up for you in the morning. Yous get yourselves home,’ Joyce urged them.

Eddie grinned. ‘I wouldn’t mind a cup of tea first, Joycie. You make the best brew I’ve ever tasted, and I’m parched.’

Thrilled by her son-in-law’s compliment, Joyce jumped up and almost ran to the kitchen.

Unable to take any more of Eddie’s old bollocks, Stanley stormed out of the room.

‘You OK, Dad? Where are you going?’ Jessica shouted after him.

‘To feed the pigeons. Take care, love,’ Stanley shouted, as he slammed the kitchen door.

Relieved to be alone, Stanley spoke quietly to his birds. Ernie and Ethel were his pride and joy. They might only be pigeons, but they listened to him, they understood, and that was more than he could say about his family.

‘It will all end in tears, Ernie. You mark my words, Ethel, that Eddie’s no good. Jess’ll never be happy with him,’ he told them.

‘Coo-coo, coo, coo-coo,’ the pigeons replied. Stanley felt a tear roll down his cheek. Even his pigeons could see through Eddie’s charade. If only his family could do the same.

SIXTEEN

Much to Eddie’s dismay, Jessica insisted that the twins sleep in the king-size bed with her, and he sleep in the spare room.

‘Please let’s share a bed, Jess. I’ve missed your warmth, I need a cuddle,’ Eddie pleaded.