‘What was you gonna tell us about Joey?’ Harry enquired.

Shaking his head, Eddie walked towards the door. ‘I’ll give you a ring tomorrow, Dad, and don’t listen to what anybody else says. Ronny’s heard what happened through the rumour mill. At least if you hear it from me, you know it’s kosher.’

Harry Mitchell nodded. ‘Take care, son.’

* * *

Jessica was annoyed as she lifted back the curtain and peered out of the upstairs window. Eddie was already a quarter of an hour late and if he didn’t arrive before the kids got back, she would tell him to go and take a running jump. Furious with herself for having agreed to go out with her husband in the first place, Jessica lay down on the bed. Her mum’s voice quickly made her stand up again.

‘Jess, Eddie’s here, love.’

Glancing in the mirror, Jessica ran down the stairs. ‘I won’t be late, Mum, and don’t forget, if the kids ask, I’m out with Mary.’

‘Aren’t you going to invite him in?’ asked a disappointed Joyce.

‘No, I’m not,’ Jessica said, as she opened the front door.

Eddie smiled as he saw his stunning wife walk towards him. ‘I’d better say a quick hello to your mum,’ he said.

‘No, let’s just go,’ Jessica told him.

The conversation in the car was awkward, but polite.

‘I haven’t booked us anywhere yet. I thought I’d let you decide where you wanted to eat. How do you fancy that nice Italian we took me dad to on his birthday that time?’ Eddie asked.

Jessica nodded. ‘That’ll do fine. I liked it there, the food was lovely.’

The restaurant was about ten minutes’ drive away and, as Eddie led Jessica inside, he was relieved to find that it wasn’t too busy. He pulled the waiter to one side. ‘Can we have a table right at the back, we need a bit of privacy,’ he told him.

Jessica chose a seafood dish and Eddie opted for the mouth-watering lasagne.

As the waiter topped their glasses up with wine, Eddie leaned across the table and held Jessica’s hand. ‘I’ve missed you and the twins so much,’ he told her.

Jessica nodded and averted her eyes. Eddie still gave her butterflies after all these years and the way that her heart was pounding reminded her of when they’d first got together. ‘I have missed you too, Ed, but after what happened, if we do make another go of it, there have to be some changes.’

Relieved that she was softening towards him, Eddie smiled at her. ‘Your wish is my command, Jess. I’ll do whatever it takes to get you back. What is it you want me to do?’