Joyce sorted out her best crystal glasses and took four into the living room. She hugged Jessica. ‘Congratulations, darling. Eddie’s a wonderful man – you’ve bagged yourself a good one there.’

Noticing Stanley had a face like a smacked arse, Joyce kicked his leg. ‘For Christ’s sake cheer up, you miserable old bastard.’

Stanley said nothing as he was handed a glass of champagne.

Eddie kissed Jessica gently on the forehead. ‘I’m taking Jess to Hatton Garden to choose a ring this afternoon. She can have the biggest diamond in the shop.’

Joyce couldn’t wipe the smile off her face. The only rock Stan had ever bought her was a poxy old topaz. ‘You’ll have to pop back and show me your ring,’ she said to Jess.

‘I’ll show you tomorrow. Now we’re engaged to be married, you don’t mind if I stay round Ed’s tonight, do you, Mum? We want to go out for a meal to celebrate and we won’t be back till late.’

Joyce nodded. ‘That’s fine by me, love.’

Stanley looked at his wife in disgust. His daughter wasn’t even married yet and Joyce was encouraging her to hawk her mutton.

‘To my beautiful wife-to-be,’ Eddie said, holding his glass aloft.

‘To Jessica and Eddie,’ Joycie crowed.

Stan looked at the clock. It was nearly half-past one and he was late to meet Jock. Desperate to get away from the man who had led his daughter astray, he stood up. ‘I’m going out now.’

‘You can’t go out yet. We’re in the middle of a celebration,’ Joyce said angrily.

Eddie decided to stick up for his future father-in-law. ‘It’s fine, Joyce. To be honest, me and Jess need to make a move now ourselves. I’ll drop you at the pub, Stan, if you like?’

Stanley shook his head. He’d rather crawl there on all fours than get inside Eddie’s car.

Joyce tutted as her husband slunk away and then hugged both Jessica and Eddie. ‘Have a nice evening and if you can’t be good, be careful,’ she giggled.

Feeling herself going red, Jessica dragged Eddie out of the front door. ‘My mum is just so embarrassing at times,’ she moaned to her fiancé.

Eddie waved at Joyce as they drove away. The old girl would jump in the river if he asked her to, but he’d have to work a bit harder if he was to win over the old man.

A few days after his engagement to Jessica, Eddie picked his father up at four o’clock in the morning. Butch wasn’t expected to pick up the horsebox till around half-five, but his dad was keen to get there well before his intended victim.

Harry got into the car with a sports bag in his hand. ‘What’s in there?’ Eddie asked him.