‘There’s people watching now, so don’t make me look a cory. Marry me, Frankie – I love you.’

Young, naive and hopelessly in love, Frankie said an immediate yes, without thinking about the consequences.

As Jessica finished explaining the full story, Raymond sat silently, sipping his beer. He knew more than anyone how much Eddie hated Jimmy O’Hara and he couldn’t believe, if true, how Frankie could have been so bloody stupid.

‘He swore on our baby’s life that if it was true, he’d kill this Jed. What am I gonna do, Ray?’ Jessica sobbed.

Hugging his sister, Raymond was more worried about his brother-in-law. Eddie was the most hot-headed person he had ever come across and he dreaded what he was capable of doing to the O’Haras. The problem was, they were no mugs themselves, and if another feud broke out between the two families, everybody’s lives, including his own, would be in danger.

‘Let me have a drive around, see if I can find him, Jess. I tried to ring him on the way here, but his phone was switched off.’

Jessica grabbed hold of her brother’s hand for dear life. ‘Please don’t leave me here alone, Raymond. The twins will probably be back soon and if Ed comes back and you’re not here, I’m frightened of what he’ll do. He could be anywhere. He said he wasn’t coming home tonight, so you won’t know where to find him, anyway.’

Seeing how shaken up Jessica was, Raymond agreed to stay. None of this shit could be doing her pregnancy any good and he was worried if he left and Eddie came home and created a scene, she might have a miscarriage.

* * *

Unaware of what was happening at home, Joey looked at his sister in total and utter disbelief. ‘You can’t get married! You’re only sixteen.’

Frankie smiled at Jed as he came back from the bar with a bottle of champagne and three glasses. ‘’Ere you go. Get this down your neck,’ Jed said, as he handed a glass to Joey.

Joey had always been frightened of his sister’s lover, so he chose his words very carefully. ‘I’m sorry, Jed, I’ve nothing against you, mate, but my parents are gonna go mental. It’s bad enough Frankie’s pregnant, but marriage – there’s no way my dad’s gonna let that happen.’

Jed didn’t seem worried in the slightest as he threw a loving arm around his wife-to-be. ‘It’s got fuck-all to do with your dad. If he don’t like it, it’s tough shit. Me and your sister wanna be together, and that’s all that matters,’ Jed said, smiling at him.

‘But if you say you’re getting married, Frankie, Mum and Dad will chuck you out,’ Joey pleaded. He was desperate to make her see sense.