Mike stood and accepted the lecture. Far be it for him to stop his mother when she was in full flow. Little in stature she may be, but a pushover she definitely wasn’t.

‘Mum, I don’t blame Zara. I just wish she’d answer my calls. I can only imagine what she thought, walking into my house with Jackie half-naked in one of my shirts. And that’s the second time in just a few weeks that this has happened to me, as far as Zara is concerned. What must she bleedin’ think, eh?’

Gloria gasped. ‘Surely, she wouldn’t think you would’ve . . . well, you know, with her, the bitch?’

‘I dunno, Mum. I ain’t sure of much these days except staying positive that my boy will get better.’

***

By the time Mike reached home, Jackie was shaking violently and relentlessly. He stared at her huddled form in the corner, like a deranged mouse, and wondered what he should do. Yet as much as she looked in a right state, with her face still puffy and the deep gash still raw, his mind kept wandering back to Ricky, so he closed the door, locked it, and left. Jackie’s injuries were nothing in comparison to his son’s. She would heal and would probably be as mouthy as before, but what if Ricky was left mentally damaged?

With his mind all over the place, he didn’t hear someone let themselves in, but as soon as he reached the kitchen, he jumped for the second time that day. It was Eric. He looked his brother over and noticed he was bigger than ever, obviously spending time at the gym, and he seemed so at ease. That’s what bothered him. He didn’t look tired and anxious like his family or his mates in the firm. Everyone else was worried sick about Ricky and yet Eric didn’t appear concerned. The hairs on the back of his neck went up. It seemed that every time he laid eyes on Eric, his brother wound him up. Perhaps he was expecting too much.

‘So, what brings you here?’ he asked, in a flat tone.

‘I thought you might need some company. How are you doing, Bro? You look worn out, mate.’

Even Eric’s jocular tone pissed him off. ‘Tell me, Eric, why is it that you just pop up when it suits you, eh? You’re like some kind of god. As if I’m gonna be grateful that you’ve decided to grace me with your presence. We’re all taking shifts to be with Ricky. I’ve got the lads running around the streets all desperate to find out who’s responsible for beating the life outta my boy. Then, there’s you, just swanning around, doing your own thing. No one can call you. No one even knows where you are—’