Liam stared into his brother’s eyes; he could see the anger there, and he realised suddenly that it had always been there. The thought was so random yet so true, he was deeply affected by it. Petey was an angry person, and his anger wasn’t because he was deprived or had problems, it was just a part of him, like eating or drinking. Like Uncle Daniel, he had been born like it. Both had been born without any kind of boundaries whatsoever.

Liam saw his brother as if for the first time. ‘Do you know what, Pete? Bollocks to you. You’re a cunt. Who do you think you are? At the moment I am just about the only person in this whole world who is actually on your side. But if you don’t want that, you let me know. Because I have had you up to my back teeth.’

He walked away from Petey before his brother could answer him; if his brother pushed it tonight he would finally retaliate.

Chapter One Hundred and Fourteen

Lena had a headache, and she felt sick with it. She knew it was the change, and the hot flushes were overwhelming her.

The noise was horrendous in the club; the music was too loud and, in her opinion, without any tune whatsoever. Even showing off her new outfit was not enough to make her want to stay.

She had been quite pleased to get a message from Tania, asking her if someone could pick her up from the house. Like she couldn’t get a cab! Lazy little mare. It was because of her crush on Petey; Tania had been worried about tonight. She was still so young, so unsure of herself. If only Lena could make her child understand that the day would come when she would laugh about this. She had a sneaking feeling that her Tania had not really wanted to come and witness Petey with his bride-to-be, the fragrant Bernadette!

She smiled to herself, heart-sorry for her baby’s predicament. Oh, to be that young again, and know what she knew now.

A drive was just what she needed, though, some fresh air and a chance to clear her head. She was sweating again; the heat in this club was unbearable. Plus, in all honesty, she didn’t like to think of her girl alone at home, all hormones and teenage angst – she needed her mum more than ever tonight.

Lena made her way over to her husband and his brother. She was really feeling her age – not something she was going to admit to anyone here, of course. Ria was like a fucking Linty, dancing and drinking. Even her mother-in-law was having a better night than she was, and she was in her late sixties, for fuck’s sake. Ria wasn’t having as bad a time as Lena was with the change; in fact, Ria was breezing through it without too much difficulty.