‘Well, I hope you have a good night, Dad. How are the twins? Will they be there?’ Gary asked.

Eddie smiled. ‘They’re OK. They didn’t wanna sit in with their old dad, either, so they’re pissing off out. Jess worries when they go to these parties and stuff, but they’re nearly sixteen and all their friends are allowed to go and come home late. I always give ’em cab money to get themselves home, mind. I’ve told them the day I find out they’ve been pocketing the money and walking home is the day I put me foot down.’

As their dad went to the toilet, Ricky turned to Gary. ‘Shall we give him the present now?’

Gary took the black velvet box out of his pocket. The lads had clubbed together and brought their father a new watch. It was a Rolex and had cost them a fucking fortune.

‘Happy birthday, Dad. That’s from the two of us,’ Gary said, as Eddie returned to the table.

Eddie was choked as he opened the box. ‘Fucking hell! It’s beautiful, but you shouldn’t have spent that kind of dough. A shirt would have done me. I’d rather see yous spend your money on yourselves.’

‘You’ve always been a great dad to us and this is the first year we’ve been in a position to buy you something decent,’ Gary insisted.

Eddie took his old watch off and put the new one on. ‘I love it,’ he said truthfully.

Ricky glanced at his brother. ‘We’re gonna have to go in a minute, Gal. We promised Mum we’d be there by three.’

‘How is your mother?’ Eddie asked.

Gary sighed. ‘She ain’t been well, Dad. The doctor’s told her she’ll be dead in two years if she don’t knock the drink on the head. She’s so thin now and her skin looks kind of yellow.’

Eddie shook his head sadly. ‘I know me and your mother were never Romeo and Juliet, but I’m sorry to hear that. Go on, yous get going, and tell your mum, if she needs money or anything, she knows where I am.’