I didn’t expect to see youse here, he said, when he came over. His hands were on his hips and there was a smudge of purple paint on one of his fingers.

Obviously, said Gina.

It’s Marian’s ma’s birthday.

Marian was approaching, moving as if she had something balanced on her head, her feet in flat sandals. Her toenails were magenta-coloured, the shade that was on Eamonn’s hands. When had her brother become a man who gave his wife pedicures?

This is the first time I’ve seen you out of heels since school, said Cushla, standing to kiss Marian.

I’m crippled with my back, she said, scratching at her swollen belly. Will youse come over and join us? They’ll easily fit another two on our table.

You’re all right, thanks, said Gina, knocking back the last of her drink.

Marian shrugged. OK, she said. Enjoy your lunch.

Smug bitch, said Gina, before they were back in their seats.

Mummy! Keep your bloody voice down. You wouldn’t have come if they’d asked you.

Their food arrived. Gina ordered another drink. A double.

Cushla ate without appetite, her eyes wandering frequently to the next table. Emma and Sarah were clinging to their other grandmother. Eamonn’s hand was on Marian’s belly. When she laid her knife and fork on her plate – in the criss-cross pattern that both delighted and repulsed Gina for its lack of breeding – Eamonn pulled it towards him and shovelled the last of her food into his mouth. She slapped his hand playfully and the girls clapped. Gina was watching them too.

They refused dessert. Gina ordered a third gin, looking into the glass between mouthfuls. When they stood to leave, the others got to their feet to see them off. Eamonn helped Gina into her coat, speaking quietly into her ear. She didn’t reply to him and his goodbyes were more enthusiastic than his hellos had been.

They were almost out of the dining room when Gina stopped dead. Cushla took her elbow, afraid she had thought of terrible things to say to Eamonn, but her mother shook her off and swung to her right, saying, Ach, how are you! It came out like har arr yah.