‘’Ere, talking of shocks, you heard about Jimmy O’Hara?’ Dougie asked.

‘I know the old man popped his clogs,’ Eddie replied.

‘Yeah, that’s right, and Jimmy’s got back with his old woman. Moved back in yesterday, Alice did, with his youngest kid, Jed.’

‘Fuck me, that’s a turn-up for the books. You can tell me more on Saturday,’ Eddie said, gutted that Alice had forgiven the bastard.

Eddie ended the call, poured the wine and snuggled up next to his wife.

‘Put the news on, Ed. I still haven’t seen anything about that fire,’ Jessica said.

As Ed switched channels, he was shocked to see a picture of Dickie Pearce flash up on the screen.

‘A man has been found dead in a gangland-style shooting in Birmingham. Fifty-one-year-old Richard Pearce, a father of two, was found in the early hours of this morning. Police are appealing for witnesses.’

‘Poor man. How awful for his children,’ Jessica said sadly.

Eddie felt like bursting out laughing, but instead put on his most solemn voice. ‘I don’t know what this world’s coming to, Jess – my life, I don’t!’

NINETEEN

As Christmas approached, Jessica was like a dog with two tails. The festive season was her favourite time of year and she always went to town with it.

‘You’re a fucking girl, you are,’ Ed had told her only last week, as she’d arrived home with yet more lights and decorations.

Jessica sighed. When the kids were young, they had got into the Christmas spirit with her. Now they were fifteen, they had no interest in it whatsoever. They didn’t even want presents any more, they just wanted money. Frankie and Joey had both been spoilt and were more interested in receiving rather than giving and Jessica blamed herself for that. Ever since they were toddlers, she had always given them anything they asked for, and now she was older and wiser, she wished she had been stricter with them.

‘Right, I’m off now, babe. Are you sure you don’t fancy coming with me?’

Jessica shook her head. Eddie was going to visit his family to drop their presents off and she’d managed to wangle her way out of going with him. ‘Honestly, Ed, I would have loved to have come, but I’ve got far too much to do. Mum and Dad are coming at three and I haven’t even tidied the guest room yet. I’ve got to cook that big lump of ham, vac, polish, prepare dinner and –’

Ed stopped her mid-sentence. ‘OK, I get the message. You do what you’ve got to do and I’ll see you when I get back. I’ll probably pop in the Flag for a Christmas tipple with me dad and brothers this afternoon, but I won’t be late home.’