Something was troubling him, she knew that. Eddie hadn’t been himself for weeks and Jessica wondered if he had raked up some new information about his father’s murder. He hadn’t even slept in their bedroom, but had gone into the spare room.

As Jessica banged the kettle against the worktop, Eddie stopped eating his cereal and tried to cuddle her. ‘I’m sorry about yesterday. It took me hours to find Buster and then something else cropped up. I’ll make it up to your mum and dad, I promise. Got a lot on me plate at the moment, I have, Jess.’

Jessica was angry. Men were so full of themselves at times. ‘And so have I, Ed. I’ve got a lot on my plate, as well. Have you forgotten that I’m carrying our third child? I’m sick of clearing up after everyone here. The twins don’t lift a finger and since you brought them dogs home, the place is a tip. Full of hairs, it is, and I now have to clean twice a day, instead of once. Also, I’m worried about Frankie. I know she’s turned sixteen now, but I don’t like her staying out all night. I’m sure she’s got a boyfriend she’s not telling us about. I asked her outright the other day, but she denied it, of course.’

Eddie felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He had enough problems with Joey without Frankie being at it as well.

Joey walking into the kitchen stopped the conversation dead. ‘Morning Mum, morning Dad,’ Joey said brightly.

The sight of his son put Eddie off the remainder of his cornflakes. Joey disgusted him and he would never forget those photographs as long as he lived.

‘Do you want me to make you some breakfast, love?’ Jessica asked Joey.

‘Not really hungry, Mum. You got any fruit? I fancy a banana.’

Remembering the snap where Joey had his hand around his boyfriend’s nether regions, Eddie threw his cornflakes into the bin and stomped upstairs.

‘What’s up with him? Yous two had a row?’ Joey asked his mum.

Jessica shrugged. ‘I don’t know what’s the matter with him. Don’t worry, it can’t be anything to do with you, Joey. If Dad had found out anything about Dominic, he’d have said something to me, I know he would. Maybe it’s to do with Grandad Harry. Perhaps he’s heard some rumours about what happened to him, or something.’

Joey hugged his mum. He had always been closer to her than he had to his father, and since she had supported him over his sexuality, he loved her more than ever.

‘If I ask you something, Joey, will you tell me the truth?’

‘Of course, what do you want to know?’