‘That’s my dad’s hotel up there, second from the right. He’s had the outside repainted and it didn’t have those red and white striped awnings when I last saw it. Really fucks me off that he’s dolled it up. Mum was always asking him to get it done but he never did while she was around.’

‘Do you see much of your mum?’

‘Not as much as I would like to. Tommy wasn’t keen on me visiting her by myself. We went up to see her a couple of times but it was just awkward. Tommy wanted to leave more or less the moment we arrived. I’ve met Mum and her sister in London a few times when they’ve been up for a day out, but mainly we just text each other or speak on the phone. I hope that’s going to change now.’

‘I hope so too. Is there any chance you could go and stay with your mum and her sister?’

‘No, their flat is tiny and her sister is on her last legs. It wouldn’t be fair.’

I picked the cellophane off the end of the rock and took a series of long and concentrated licks. Emily rolled the jelly snake head around in her mouth.

‘I used to come and sit here every Sunday morning on my way back from buying Dad his newspaper. I actually had my very first proper kiss on this bench.’

‘Wow. It should have a plaque on it or something to mark the event.’

She put her head on my shoulder and turned her face to look up at me. ‘Why don’t we mark it with our first kiss?’ We kissed in a slightly jokey, ironic way. It could have just been mates having a snog, but it will forever remain in the list of top kisses that I have benefited from. After the kiss, she stood up.

‘I guess it’s time for me to go and see the old shit and beg for his charity. Do you want to come or do you want to stay here and eat your long rock in peace?’

I opted to stay put and admire the sea and the gulls frolicking and arguing on the beach and on the promenade. I watched her walk away thinking to myself how much I hoped her father would have no room at the inn. I was convinced that she liked me and genuinely intended to leave Tommy. I had abandoned all thoughts that she might still be in league with McCoy and Cityside Investigations. Maybe I did have a chance with her. While I waited for Emily to return, I decided to call Grace to check in on her.

‘Hi, Grace, how are you doing?’

‘Oh, it’s you, is it? Mr Lover Boy…’

‘I’m just checking in to see if you are okay.’

‘Yes, why wouldn’t I be?’