Finally, Ged grabbed his navy-blue parka from the back of the chair. His mother was still in a mood and he knew it, could see her chewing on the inside of her lip to keep the words in. His hair was still stuck up all over the place and he made no attempt to do anything with it. When he was a kid, his mum had always said this was a sure sign that he was in a mood, maybe she was right. He didn’t break a smile either. Their eyes met from across the room, like two gunslingers meeting at dawn for a duel. ‘I need some money for school. I’m not having none again and looking like a scruff. So, don’t bother trying to fob me off saying you’re skint.’

Clare rolled her eyes but there was no way was she getting involved in any more beef. Anything for a quiet life. She reached over and grabbed her tattered handbag. She’d had it for years. In its day it was probably an eyecatcher, but not anymore; it was worn and torn, just like her. She opened her purse and fumbled about inside. She didn’t have to look to know there was hardly anything in it, but what could she do? She exhaled loudly, looked down at the floor. ‘Here, I’ve got a quid. Don’t start moaning because that’s all I’ve got.’

Ged’s nostrils flared and he started pacing the room like an anxious father waiting for his baby to be born. ‘Nah, sack that. I’m not going to fucking school then. What can I buy with a poxy quid? Nothing? Do you know how embarrassing it is when we all go to the shop and I’m stood there like a tramp who can’t buy anything? You can do one. Stick your money up your arse. You can fuck off, I’m not going to school, I’m going back to bed.’

Clare banged her fist on the side of the sofa, dust flying up in the air. She’d had enough. Every morning it was the same script, drama, drama. She spoke through gritted teeth. ‘I can’t make bleeding money out of thin air, Ged. If I had it, you could have it. There’s no magic money tree growing in the back garden. It’s all I’ve got, you ungrateful brat. But, one thing is for sure, you are going in to school today, so shut up and just take the money or leave it.’