‘You must miss her,’ Colin said eventually. ‘She always knew what to do. I wish she was here to talk to.’

‘I miss her every minute of every day. Cherish what you have, Colin. I know I’m just some silly old fool and you can just give me lip service if you want but this family of yours, make the most of them.’

‘I would love to. If only Justine would give it a chance.’ Colin’s expression flickered like it might change. He turned away, sloshing his cup out in the sink.

‘Are you OK? You and Justine, I mean?’

Colin stayed facing away. His head was dipped like he was still looking down at his cup. He suddenly leaned forward to take his weight on hands that gripped the sink. His shoulders shook. It was subtle at first, then a sound that Richard thought might be laughter. It wasn’t until Colin sniffed that Richard knew his son was sobbing.

‘Jesus, Colin, what the hell is going on?’

‘Nothing. It’s nothing! I’ve just been under a lot of pressure. I’ve been working a lot.’ His son lifted his hands to wipe his face before he turned back. His eyes were a little red, and his arms hung forward like he was suddenly carrying extra weight.

‘Are you sure that’s all it is?’ Richard pressed him. ‘That bed over there, are you sleeping in it rather than your own?’ Colin took a moment then nodded. ‘Every night?’ He nodded again. ‘Is there anything I can do?’

‘No!’ He sounded angry now, it was instant. ‘Of course there isn’t! All you can do is tell me you told me so and that’s the last thing I want to hear right now. I know you’ve never liked Justine …’ He paused like he was catching his breath.

‘She’s not made it easy, son. I have tried but—’

‘Not for long! I barely knew the girl and you were warning me off her. You know, sometimes I think I only married her to spite you. Big mistake that was.’

‘Now come on, you can’t blame me for any issues with—’

‘Oh no! Of course I can’t blame you. You know everything about parenting, about women, about making a family. You tell me that all the time, you like to rub my face in it, make sure I know that I’ve messed up just like you said I would.’

‘Colin, now hold on—’

‘I’m right, aren’t I? I saw your face when I told you we were getting married. Mum was always better at hiding it. At least she gave Justine a chance, but even she stopped coming round. You were working on her in the background, I know that. And now she’s gone.’

‘That isn’t true at all! Where the hell is all this coming from?’