‘I won’t, I know what I’ve to do, first you, then Amber.’ Ellen is to be here at six thirty and wait until Tom is back from picking Amber up from the party at ten. ‘And I’m not to leave the house once I get back from dropping you to the RDS until I collect Amber.’

‘Good, just make sure you stick to that.’

‘I will, Mammy.’

‘Don’t mock me, Tom, I didn’t ask for any of this.’ A quick reminder of whose mess this is and he’s back in his box.

Tom must perform like an army recruit in his final exam. There’s no room for error. Kenny is not to be left here on his own until I’m certain he’s telling the truth. It might sound overly dramatic, do I care? No.

Amber has appointments the whole afternoon, nails, hair, make-up. My own hair will get done sometime during the day, whenever the chance arises. Sienna said she’d do make-up for some of us before we go home to change. The hair show starts at 7 p.m.

It’s unfortunate that the two events landed on the same night. I would have loved to drop Amber to Sarah’s party, even though it’s only two blocks away. As it stands I’ll have a mere fifteen minutes to change before I’m back out the door. Thank God for Ellen.

Maybe Tom and Ellen can have that all important what-the-hell-happened? chat tonight while they’re on their own. Tom hasn’t properly discussed the situation with his mother yet, so this will be their opportunity.

It just goes to show, ye think ye know people. I would have bet my house on Ellen being a lot nosier, that she’d ask a lot more questions about Kenny and how he came to be, but she hasn’t. In fact, it’s slightly worrying. Did she know already? Don’t be stupid, Sal, now you’re definitely letting your mind wander.

Tom is in the kitchen cooking sausages for his enlarged family, the sizzling smell filling the whole house. Amber comes rushing down the stairs.

‘Ma.’

‘What is it, Amber, I’m in a hurry.’ Pulling my jacket on, I look in the mirror and make a plan to fix what I see looking back at me while I’m in the car on the way to work.

‘Money.’

‘What about money?’

‘I need some.’

‘Ask your father. I’m in a hurry.’

‘Ye know him, Ma, he’ll have a fit when he hears how much I need to get ready for the party.’

‘Well, he’s right.’