Clare had had enough. ‘What I wanted,’ she told him, ‘was for you to have a bit of respect and stop causing bloody trouble. How many times do I need to tell you how much stress I’m under? I’m a single parent; if I don’t go to work then who’s going to pay the bastard bills? Just do me a favour, Ged. Keep your head down and do your schoolwork. I can’t afford to be taking time off every week to go and see the teachers about your behaviour. This is your last year in school. Just do your exams and get a decent bloody job. It’s not a big ask, is it?’

Ged stretched his arms over his head and sighed. He was all skin and bones. You could see more fat on a chip. If he turned sideways you’d have had to report him missing. He’d heard enough of her whining and raised his voice – always a sign that he was getting ready to kick off.

‘I get it. Fuck’s sake, just stop going on and leave me to wake up. Like I need to hear your voice going on every bloody morning. Turn it in, will you?’

Clare sighed. ‘You can stop swearing too. It does my head in. Where is your respect? You was never brought up to be this way, so fucking turn it in before my foot ends up stuck up your arse.’

Ged didn’t flinch, just looked at her defiantly. ‘You still here? Just close the fucking door and let me get fucking ready. If you carry on moaning, I’m going to get back in bed, end of. Do one.’

Clare edged out of the room, forcing herself to bite her tongue before she said something she would regret. His abusive language was the least of her troubles. The house shook as she slammed the bedroom door shut behind her. She stood with her back to the wall biting her knuckles, her body shaking from head to toe. Deep breaths, long deep breaths.