Joey felt his cheeks redden. ‘What are you like, you nosy cow? I’m not discussing the ins and outs – it’s private.’

Frankie laughed at Joey’s embarrassment. ‘Go on, tell me more. Did you go all the way this time?’

‘Yes, and that’s all I’m telling you, so don’t bother asking me no more questions.’

Joey being gay didn’t bother Frankie one iota. She enjoyed winding him up, but was also genuinely pleased that he had met someone he liked. She had always got on better with boys than girls and would have hated Joey to have gone out with some bimbo she hated. That would have made her extremely jealous.

‘So, did you come?’ Frankie asked, desperate to know more. They had always had such a close, open relationship. Joey told her everything and vice versa.

‘Yes, of course. Now, can we shut up about it now, ’cause Mum’s calling us.’

Jessica smiled as the twins bounded down the stairs. ‘What are you laughing at?’ she asked Frankie.

‘Nothing important. Joey was just telling me about the biology homework he was doing last night.’

Jessica tutted. ‘You wasn’t being rude, Joey, was you?’

‘Of course not, Mum,’ Joey replied, kicking his smirking sister under the table.

‘I wanted to talk to yous about your birthday. You’re sixteen soon and Dad and I asked you ages ago what you wanted to do. Have either of you decided yet?’

Joey nudged Frankie. Their parents had wanted to throw a big party at home and invite all of their friends. The twins were totally against the idea. There was no way Joey could chance inviting Dominic, and Frankie reckoned it would be as boring as hell. There was a new place where everyone was going called the Berwick Manor. It had started a rave night on a Friday and the twins were desperate to go there.

Frankie smiled at her mum. ‘We have thought about it and we’ve decided we want to go out with our friends on the Friday, which is our actual birthday, then maybe have a smaller party here with you, Dad, Nan, Grandad and the rest of the family on the Saturday.’

Jessica found it hard to hide her disappointment. ‘Why don’t you want the big party for all of your friends? Dad could have done a barbecue and all your mates could have brought their costumes and had a swim.’

Frankie decided to be truthful. ‘Our friends like drinking, not swimming, Mum. They’ll laugh at us if they come here and only get offered soft drinks. We can still have a barbecue – we can do that on the Saturday with the family.’