Then there was a banging at his door.

‘I’ll get it, dear.’ Putting down the phone, he opened the front door and saw two men.

One was large with a bald head and a toothless grin. The other was tall, athletically built and very well dressed.

‘Joseph Markham?’

‘Yes. Can I help you?’

‘Would it be possible for us to talk in the house, Mr Markham? It’s about George.’

Without stopping to think, Joseph stepped out of the way so the two men could enter.

‘Who’s that at the bloody door?’

Nancy’s voice was at fever pitch. She was convinced the men would be coming to take her away at any moment.

‘My mother. She’s . . . not very well.’

Willy frowned.

‘She sounds all right.’

Patrick was having trouble controlling himself.

‘Look, about George. We wondered if you knew where he might be? He’s not at home. We really need to find him quite urgently.’

Joseph frowned.

‘Not at home? He was here yesterday. He came to visit Mother.’

‘Did he? Was he alone?’

‘Oh, yes, Elaine was working. Look, what’s all this about?’

Patrick walked towards the voice. He pushed the door open and walked inside.

Nancy saw him and immediately calmed herself.

Patrick watched her. It was as if a new skin grew over her in a matter of seconds. The wrinkles evened out and her face took on a sublime expression.

‘How do you do? Won’t you take a seat? Lily, make some tea.’

He smiled at the woman, a wide friendly smile. So this was the scumbag’s mother.

Lily looked at the two men and her eyebrows rose in a question. Joseph, in the doorway, shrugged in bewilderment. But if they shut his mother up, they could stay all day as far as he was concerned.

‘Make the tea, Lily.’ His voice was low.

She went from the room.

Patrick and Willy sat down.

‘We’re friends of George’s, Mrs Markham. We wondered if anyone knew where we could find him?’

Nancy Markham patted her outrageous hair and smirked. ‘I think there must be some mistake.’

‘Sorry?’ Patrick smiled again.

The woman’s face hardened.

‘My son hasn’t got any friends.’

Willy and Patrick exchanged glances.

No wonder the bloke was a nutter. The whole family seemed a few paving slabs short of a patio.

Out in the kitchen, Lily and Joseph made the tea.

‘Who the hell are they?’ hissed Lily.

‘I don’t know.’

‘Well, don’t you think you ought to find out then? After all, they are ensconced in our living room with your mother.’

Joseph allowed himself a small grin.

‘I think she can look after herself, Lily, don’t you?’