‘No, I’m fucking ain’t,’ Eddie yelled. ‘As for my so-called brothers, I hope they both rot in hell. I never wanna see either of them ever again!’

Jessica sat in the kitchen with a massive smile on her face. She and Vicki were discussing baby names and they had completely different ideas on the subject.

‘Angel’s a lovely name for a little girl,’ Vicki insisted.

Giggling, Jessica put the kettle on. Eddie would have a fit if she called their kid Angel.

‘I think you should opt for an American name if you have a boy. Me and Dougie quite like Troy, so what about you calling yours Travis?’ Vicki suggested.

Jessica smiled. ‘I’ve already promised Ed that if we have a boy, we’ll call it Harry in memory of his dad.’

As the front door slammed, Jessica ran into the hallway. ‘Oh, it’s you, Ed. You’re early, love. Do you want a cup of tea?’

‘Where’s Joey?’ Eddie shouted.

Jessica’s heart went over as she noticed that Eddie’s face looked as black as thunder. She knew, without a doubt, that he had been told something. ‘Vicki’s in the kitchen,’ she said, as brightly as she could.

‘Get rid of her,’ Eddie spat.

Jessica ushered her friend outside and apologised profusely.

‘I wouldn’t like to be in Joey’s shoes. What’s he done?’ Vicki whispered.

‘I bet he’s been bunking off school again and Ed’s just found out,’ Jessica lied.

As she shut the front door, Jessica felt physically sick. She had to play it cool; it was her duty as a mother to protect her son. ‘Whatever’s the matter?’ she asked Eddie.

‘Where is he? Is he out with his fucking boyfriend, is he?’ Eddie screamed, grabbing his wife by the shoulders.

‘Boyfriend? What are you talking about? You’re hurting me, Ed, stop it, please.’

Eddie let her go. Leaning with his back against the wall, he put his head in his hands and slumped to the floor. ‘He’s gay. Our Joey’s a fucking queer, that’s what the word on the street is. Do you know anything about it, Jess? If you do, tell me. I want the fucking truth.’

Jessica shook her head furiously and proclaimed her son’s innocence. ‘Don’t be so ridiculous, Eddie. Our Joey’s got a new girlfriend – he really likes her, he does. He was only telling me about her yesterday. He wants us to meet her. He asked me if she could come round for tea.’

‘Are you sure he ain’t fucking lying to you?’ Eddie asked.

‘Of course he’s not lying. Someone’s winding you up, Eddie. Who told you? Who’s spreading these lies?’

‘Ronny told me. Terry Palmer told him. Everyone’s been told. As I walked in the Flag earlier, every bastard was sniggering at me.’