‘I’ll take them over in a minute. Please don’t show me up in front of Lee, Ed. I’d hate any bad stories to get back to Mary.’

Ed sneered. ‘Fuck Lee and fuck Mary. I’m your husband and you’ll do as I say.’

As Ed stormed back to the bar, Jess made her excuses to Lee and went off to find the twins. Sometimes her husband’s temper was like a ticking time bomb and she would hate to create a scene.

‘Who was that geezer Jess was all over? Got bored of you already, has she?’ Ronny joked.

Eddie pushed Ronny up against the wall. ‘Shut it, else I’ll punch your fucking lights out.’

Ronny was taken aback. ‘I’m only mucking about, Ed. I didn’t mean it, honest I didn’t.’

‘What’s going on?’ Harry asked, pulling Eddie away.

‘Nothing, Dad. It’s him, he’s off his fucking head,’ Ronny said, feeling brave now his father had appeared.

Harry had a quiet word with Eddie. ‘Look son, I don’t know what’s bugging you, but leave it tonight, eh? This is your Uncle Reg’s party and I want him to have a good time.’

Eddie nodded. ‘I’m fine, Dad. Ronny just needs to learn when to shut it, that’s all.’

‘Come on, twins. Say goodbye to Auntie Vi and Auntie Joan,’Jessica said, searching for her husband out of the corner of her eye. As she dragged the twins away, she clocked him. Ed was standing at the bar only yards away from Lee and his friends.

Jessica hadn’t seen Lee Jones for years and was surprised to see him at Reg’s party. Apparently, he was best friends with Ed’s Uncle Albert’s son, and he’d invited him. Jessica’s heart was in her mouth as she sat back down with her parents. Unbeknown to Eddie, Lee had been her first love. She’d met him through his sister, Mary, and she’d had a crush on him for well over a year before he’d finally noticed she existed. They’d dated for two years on and off and Jess had lost her virginity to him. The relationship had ended when Jess had left school. It had run its course and both she and Lee amicably decided to go their separate ways.

Aware that Lee was talking about Jessica, Eddie edged towards him. Albert’s son, John, had his back to Ed, otherwise he’d have warned Lee to shut up.

‘Jess was always good-looking when we were kids, but she’s a fucking stunner now. What a shame she’s married. I wonder if she’s up for a bit on the side? I’d give me right arm to fuck her again. You never know, she might even dump her husband for me,’ Lee joked.