‘Where are the twins?’ Stanley asked.

‘In bloody bed. Went out with their friends last night, they did, and they’re still in the land of nod,’ Jessica replied in annoyance.

‘What the hell is that?’ Joyce screamed as two bundles of fluff jumped onto her lap.

Eddie smiled at his mother-in-law’s horrified expression. ‘Meet Buster and Bruno, Joycie, the new additions to the Mitchell household.’

Begrudgingly stroking their heads, Joyce was appalled as Buster got a little overexcited and urinated on her dress. ‘Oh, look at me new frock! Get ’em off of me. Quick, take ’em away!’ she screamed.

Stanley and Eddie looked at one another and burst out laughing.

‘Don’t worry, Mum, I’ll get a cloth. It’ll come out – it’s only a little splash,’ Jessica said, glaring at the men.

Eddie followed Jessica into the kitchen. ‘I’ve got a bit of a confession to make, babe. I rang me Uncle Reg yesterday and invited him over for the barbie. I felt a bit guilty ’cause I ain’t seen much of him recently. I didn’t think he’d accept, but he rang me back and said Paulie and Ronny are coming too.’

Jessica was not impressed. ‘Oh, Ed, it’s meant to be the kids’ birthday party. They barely know your family.’

Eddie hugged his wife and kissed her on the forehead. ‘I’m sorry, it just escalated and I could hardly say no. Come on, cheer up. I picked another few trays of meat up, so we’ve got plenty of grub. It’s only one day, Jess, we can get through it, me and you.’

Jessica sighed. Eddie’s family turning up was the last thing she needed, but she could hardly tell him to uninvite them at this late stage. For years, Eddie had welcomed her family with open arms, so it wouldn’t exactly hurt her to entertain his for once. She smiled at him. ‘Don’t worry, Ed. We’ll all have a great day. Can you pour Mum and Dad some drinks while I go and wake our lazy children?’

Joey got showered and dressed, then sat on Frankie’s bed while she got ready.

‘Do my eyes look OK now?’ she asked him. She had managed to doze off for a few hours and felt a damn sight better than she had earlier.

‘You don’t look as bad as before. In fact, you look much better,’ Joey told her honestly.

‘What time did you tell Dom to arrive?’ Frankie asked him.

Joey felt himself shudder. Inviting Dominic had seemed a good idea last night when he was inebriated, but in the cold light of day, he was now shitting himself. ‘Wesley’s picking him up in a cab from the B&B. I wish I hadn’t invited him now. You don’t think Mum or Dad or our mates will clock on, do you, sis?’