Hearing his phone ringing in the other room, Terry shut Sally’s bedroom door and went to answer it.

‘It’s done,’ the caller said.

Terry smiled as the line went dead. That call was the best Christmas present he could have wished for.

Over in Rainham, Dominic had just turned up at Joycie’s house with Madonna in his arms. He put the dog on the floor and hugged Joey.

‘Did you bring all our presents with you?’ Joey asked hopefully.

Dominic shook his head. ‘I searched under the tree and found all the family presents. I thought what we’d do is pop home on the way to your dad’s tomorrow and open ours then.’

Joey nodded. ‘I’m gonna wake Nan up now. I think Raymond and the others are coming over at eleven, so she needs to get her skates on. I put the turkey in the oven at six o’clock this morning for her, but she’ll have to do the rest herself.’

‘How is she?’ Dom asked concerned.

‘She was in an awful state when I arrived last night and I’m really annoyed with my grandad. I can’t believe that he sent her divorce papers through at Christmas; no wonder she got herself so drunk. I know my nan has been an old cow at times to Grandad over the years, but she doesn’t deserve to be treated like this, it’s so wrong.’

Dominic agreed. He liked Joycie; she was one of life’s characters.

Upstairs, Joyce sat up with a dry mouth, vague memories, and a blinding headache. She stared at Joey. ‘I don’t remember coming to bed or anything,’ she mumbled.

‘Me and Rita had to half-carry you upstairs, Nan. I’ve never seen you that drunk before, you couldn’t even stand. Grandad’s bang out of order for what he did and I’ve decided I want no more to do with him.’

Joyce gave her loyal grandson a hug. ‘What’s the time?’ she asked groggily.

‘It’s just gone nine.’

Horrified that she hadn’t got up at six as she’d planned, Joyce jumped out of bed. ‘The turkey!’ she screamed.

‘I put that on early this morning,’ Joey told her.

Joyce thanked her grandson, then went for a shower. As the warm water cascaded over her body, Joyce vowed there and then that she would never be upset over, or mention her husband ever again. From today onwards, Stanley Smith was history.