Sick of the sight of Terry’s daughter, Anne reluctantly did as she was told. She could understand that Sally had been through hell in the past few months, but even so, the girl wasn’t helping herself and was causing marital misery between her and Terry. Wishing more than anything that Sally would sod off back to her own flat in Rush Green, Anne burst out crying.

‘I can’t stand this any more, Terry. The girl needs help and we’re not doctors. She needs professional help, not ours.’

Terry held his unhappy wife in his arms. Anne did have a point, as Sally’s behaviour was getting worse rather than better. ‘We’ll get Christmas over and I’ll ring a doctor and sort it. I reckon they’ll send her to rehab, but if they don’t they’ll probably section her.’

Anne hugged her husband and together they left Sally’s bedroom. Terry glanced at his daughter to check she was still asleep before he closed the door. What he didn’t realise at that point was that Sally was awake and had heard every word he’d said.

Eddie circled around like a vulture, looking for a parking space. Christmas Eve was always an extremely busy time at cemeteries and today was no different.

‘Over there, Dad. Look, that geezer in the red car’s pulling out.’

Eddie swooped for the spot and turned off the ignition.

‘Where we meeting the others?’ Joey asked.

‘At the graveside. I knew there’d be nowhere to park, so I told Reg to pick Joanie and Vi up in a cab and I’ll give him the dosh for it. None of ’em can walk far now, the poor bastards.’

Eddie and Joey were early, so took a slow stroll through the graveyard. The place was awash with people, flowers and cards. On some of the graves there were even presents and teddy bears that people had left for their loved ones.

As Eddie strolled past two elderly women who were talking loudly, he couldn’t help but overhear their conversation.

‘I think it’s bloody disgusting. Go and find someone with one of them portable phones and get them to call the police,’ the stout lady said.

‘The bastards want locking up. How can they do something like that in a cemetery, of all places?’ the other replied.

Forever the gentleman, Eddie turned around. It sounded to him as though one of the ladies had had their purse or bag snatched. ‘Are you OK, ladies?’ he enquired.

Both women shook their heads. ‘You wanna see the state of one of the graves down there. It’s been vandalised beyond recognition,’ the stout woman replied.

‘My sister’s plot is only half a dozen away from it an’ all,’ said the other.