Like a madman, Eddie lunged towards Lee. ‘That’s my wife you’re talking about. I’ll kill you, you fucking cunt!’ Ed shouted, as he rammed Lee’s face repeatedly against the wooden bar post.

As Jessica screamed and ran towards the bar, Stanley felt the colour drain from his face.

‘Stop it, Daddy, stop it,’ Frankie cried, as she followed her mum from the table.

‘Do something, Stanley,’ Joyce shouted, as she tried to comfort Joey. Her grandson was trembling and had crawled under the chair.

It was Harry and Reg who managed to drag Eddie outside. His victim’s face was smashed beyond recognition and somebody had already called for an ambulance.

Pushing his son against the wall, Harry glared at him. ‘What the fuck was that all about?’ he asked Ed.

Reg went back inside. He hated big parties at the best of times and had never wanted one in the first place. Now he had to somehow get to Lee and bribe him, to make sure he didn’t involve the police.

‘Why did you do it, Eddie? Why?’ Jessica sobbed, as she ran over to her husband.

Using all of his strength, Ed pushed his old man flying and grabbed Jessica around the throat. ‘What are you, some slag? How many other men have you fucking well slept with?’ he roared, as he tightened his grip and slammed her head against the brick wall.

‘I’m sorry, Ed. Stop it, please, you’re hurting me,’ Jess pleaded.

Harry grabbed Ed around the neck from behind. ‘That’s enough. Now get back inside.’

As Ed stormed off, Harry put a comforting arm around Jessica’s shoulder. ‘Are you OK, love?’

Jessica burst into tears. ‘Ed frightens me when he drinks that Scotch. It turns him into a monster.’

Harry sat Jessica down on a nearby wall. He handed her his handkerchief and told her to dry her eyes. ‘You leave Ed to me, I’ll have a word with him. Is your head OK? You’re not hurt, are you?’

Jessica shook her head. ‘I love him so much, Harry. What am I gonna do?’

Squeezing her hand, Harry smiled. ‘And my Ed loves you very much. I know he’s a wild card at times, but he worships the ground you walk on, Jess. Tonight was just a one-off, he’d never intentionally hurt you, I know he wouldn’t.’

For the first time ever, Jessica saw Harry Mitchell in a different light. She’d never had much to do with him in the past. Feeling guilty for all the years she’d tried to keep Harry away from the twins, she turned to face him. ‘Why don’t you come over for dinner one day, Harry? I’ll cook us a nice roast and you can bring Sylvie with you.’

Harry winked at her. ‘That sounds perfect.’