‘Well, thank Gawd for that!’ piped up Gloria.

‘Where’s she meeting the Lanigans?’ asked Mike.

Eric shrugged his shoulders. ‘I don’t know. I thought she would’ve told you. I guess she decided to go it alone.’

Mike couldn’t work out whether Eric’s tone was sarcastic or genuine; either way, his brother was different. Having been apart for so long, he now wondered if he actually knew his brother at all. ‘So, where’ve you been?’

‘Just making a few calls and sorting out a little bit o’ business.’

Mike stood up and glared, not liking the sound of it. ‘What business?’

‘A bit o’ knocked-off gear.’

Looking Eric over, and noticing the smart suit, he cast a questioning look. ‘What, dressed like a fucking nightclub owner?’

‘Does it matter? The fucking world didn’t stand still while you were away, ya know. I was still earning a crust. What, d’ya think I was sitting twiddling me thumbs and waiting for you to tell me what to do?’

‘Obviously fucking not! Ya never even wrote me a poxy letter!’ bellowed Mike.

Gloria watched the tension between her two sons mounting and decided to nip it in the bud. ‘Lads, listen. Our Ricky will be up in a minute. I don’t want any bickering. Besides, it’s not like you two. I thought you were both on the same firm?’ She shot Eric a glare. And then she looked back at her eldest boy. Maybe he hadn’t got over Eric abandoning him when he went to prison after all. She couldn’t really blame Mike; she’d held it against Eric herself for fucking off to Spain when Mike needed him the most.

‘Sorry, Eric. Listen, mate, I’m still edgy. Prison does that to ya.’

Eric nodded in acknowledgement, but he didn’t offer his own apology. As far as Mike was concerned, it was like old times except his brother seemed to have gained an attitude. All the bollocks on the prison visit from Eric, pleading that he was really sorry and begging forgiveness, it all seemed so fake. Mike wondered if his brother had been taking acting lessons.

Storming from the room, Mike headed for the bedroom. After a quick shower and a strong coffee to wake him up, he hoped that he would see things in a clearer light. Staying at his parents for the night had been a wrong move. He should have gone home with Zara and Ricky and eased back into life. Damn it! Well, if she wanted to be stubborn, he would trump her in that department.