As Eddie left the room to make a few phone calls, Jessica switched on the television. Her mum and dad were both having forty winks and the house seemed so quiet all of a sudden. Flicking through the channels, Jessica spotted a programme where a mother was holding a newborn baby. ‘Aah,’ Jessica murmured as she realised that the baby looked just like Joey had when he was born. Sighing, Jessica switched channels. The twins were all grown up now. They didn’t need her any more and she didn’t want to depress herself.

‘What’s up? You look sad,’ Eddie said, as he sat down next to her.

Forcing herself to stop being sentimental, Jessica smiled. ‘Nothing’s wrong. I’m fine.’

Hours later, Joey grabbed his sister’s arm. ‘Frankie, hurry up, the cab’ll be waiting outside.’

Frankie was tipsy and in no rush to leave the pub. ‘Tell the cab to go away and come back after twelve. Mum and Dad’ll be all right; they’ll probably be pissed by now anyway.’

Joey shook his head. His sister could be such a pain in the arse sometimes. ‘Look, if we’re late, Mother’ll probably ground us again. You might be willing to take that chance, but I bloody well ain’t. Sod not being allowed out on New Year’s Eve. I wanna celebrate the start of 1988 in style.’

Seeing Joey getting annoyed, Frankie poked her tongue out at him. ‘OK, you win. I’m coming. Just let me say goodbye to the girls.’

‘Where’s David?’ Frankie asked, as she walked outside. ‘He’s staying for a bit. He ain’t gotta be home till after twelve,’ Joey said.

Frankie laughed. ‘No kisses for you tonight then, dear.’

‘Just shut up and get in the car, will you?’ Joey told her sternly.

As the front door slammed, Jessica nudged Eddie and smiled. ‘They’re bang on time. It’s one minute to eleven, bless ’em,’ she said.

Frankie bounded into the lounge. ‘As it’s Christmas, can me and Joey have a proper drink, Mum?’ she asked boldly.

Jessica looked at Eddie. ‘I don’t see why not,’ he said.

‘We’ll both have a vodka and Coke then,’ Frankie said, sitting in between her grandparents.

Joey sat down next to his mum. ‘How was your evening, love? Did you have a nice time with David?’ she asked.

Frankie laughed. ‘He always has a nice time with David, don’t you, Joey?’

Joey scowled at his sister and quickly changed the subject.

Tanked up on Baileys, Joyce was in a playful mood. ‘Why don’t we have a little game? Who fancies playing Give Us a Clue?’ she asked.

Eddie laughed. ‘You mean charades, Joyce?’

‘Whatever.’ Joyce laughed. ‘Never been the same, that programme, since Michael Aspel left and Parky took over.’

‘Who’s going first?’ Jessica enquired.

Joyce leaped up and waved her hands.

‘TV, two syllables,’ Joey said.