‘There is nothing worse than seeing a grown man drunk and acting like a fucking idiot. Watch your booze intake, Eddie, ’cause when you’re steaming, that’s exactly what you turn into,’ his father had told him only recently.

Eddie ordered himself another large Scotch. He had every right to get pissed after the shock he’d had today. Jessica wouldn’t understand. For years he’d only had to look in the mirror and see his scar to be reminded of Jimmy O’Hara.

‘Dad, Dad. Quick, the boxing’s about to start,’ Gary said, tugging at his sleeve.

Putting his arm around his eldest, Eddie swaggered over to the ring with him. ‘Beat that O’Hara kid and I’ll give you a score, Gary.’

‘What about me?’ Ricky asked.

‘You win your bout and I’ll give you a score as well,’ Eddie said laughing.

‘Are you OK?’ Vicki asked, as she sat down on the grass next to Jessica.

Jessica nodded. ‘Eddie’s never usually like that, so please don’t think badly of him, will you?’

Vicki squeezed her hand. ‘I don’t. I have to put up with a lot with my Dougie sometimes, believe me.’

Jessica smiled. ‘Aren’t you and Dougie going to get married or have children?’

A sudden look of sadness washed over Vicki. ‘Dougie’s ex-wife died of leukaemia and I think he still loves her. He don’t wanna get married again, he says no one can ever take her place. He reckons he wants more kids, but I don’t know if he’s just bluffing. It’s hard sometimes, Jess, I feel like I’m second best to a ghost.’

Noticing tears in Vicki’s eyes, Jessica hugged her new friend. ‘We’re a right pair we are, aren’t we?’

Their conversation was ended by an excited Frankie. ‘Look Mummy, Joey’s dancing.’

Jessica stood up to get a better look at her son. The DJ was playing the Village People’s ‘YMCA’ and Joey stood in a circle full of adults. He was waving his arms and copying the funny dance they were doing.

Vicki linked arms with Jessica. ‘Ah, look. He’s just so gorgeous, both of your kids are. You’re really lucky, Jess. I’d give my right arm for two kids like yours.’

Jessica smiled proudly. Everybody said how gorgeous her twins were and they were right, of course.

* * *

Eddie’s heart thumped with adrenalin as Gary stepped into the ring. He could see Jimmy O’Hara standing opposite and he just prayed that the training his son had been given at the Peacock Gym would pay off.

‘Go on, Gary, I’m banking on you, son,’ he yelled, as the fight started.

‘Jab, jab, Gary. Hit him with your right,’ Raymond urged.

As Gary swung a right hook and the O’Hara boy hit the canvas, Eddie and Raymond leaped up and down.