He concentrated on the television screen. Bette Midler and Danny DeVito were fighting it out. Ruthless People the film was called. Ruthless People? He was the ruthless one. Hadn’t he proved it?

‘Come on, George, give us a kiss.’ Elaine pulled his face round and planted a wet, sticky mouth on his own.

George kissed her. He didn’t know what else to do. For the first time in over sixteen years, Elaine showed some signs of interest in him! He shuddered.

‘I’ve had a lovely day, George. A lovely day. And next year we will finally have a good year. Three hundred and sixty-five days of happiness. I’m going on holiday with you, to Florida to see our Edith. And I’m going to Spain with the girls.’ Elaine was having trouble forming the words now and George guessed that if he kept quiet she would fall asleep. He put his arm around her with difficulty and held her close to him. She snuggled into him and closed her eyes.

Please God make her go to sleep.

His prayer was answered. Within moments the wine, the heat and the excitement of the day caught up with her and she began to snore softly into his thick cable-knit cardigan.

George breathed a sigh of relief.

He would do many things to keep her happy, but sex was not one of them.

Picking up the remote control, he turned the TV on to video. Mandy appeared on the screen. He had set the video up earlier in the evening while Elaine was making supper. He had been waiting for her to go to bed. Now he turned the sound down and watched the action on the screen. The element of risk gave it an added excitement.

So Mandy went through her nightly ritual and Elaine snored and George was happy, his finger poised over the TV button on the remote control.

In a funny way he wished that Elaine would open her eyes, but she was blind drunk and slept. And George just sat and watched.

Kate had enjoyed her late lunch with Patrick Kelly very much. They had opened up to each other. Now she sat with her own family and listened to their account of the pantomime.

‘Oh, Mum, it was really funny. You should have seen the dame! He was hilarious. Joanie was there with her brothers. They sat with us and we had the greatest time.’

‘Considering you didn’t really want to go.’ Evelyn’s voice was jocular. ‘“I’m too old for pantomimes, I’m an adult.” And when we got there she was shouting louder than anyone!’

‘I’m sorry I missed it.’

‘Dad was really funny, he made jokes all through it. I wish you could have been there, Mum.’

‘So do I, Lizzy. It sounds great.’