The lunch bell rang as they passed through the gate to the school grounds. Cushla and Gerry went to the staffroom, sitting on the windowsill to eat. Gerry had brought a couple of sandwiches wrapped in tinfoil, and a green banana. Cushla ate cottage cheese from a tub. It contained scraps of pineapple and smelled like boiled sweets.

Your lunch is disgusting, he said.

Cushla kicked his ankle. Did I offer you any?

He laughed. I’ve to go to a wedding, he said. Fancy being my plus one?

Yeah, she said.

When Cushla dropped Davy home after school, Betty was waiting on the doorstep. She came striding down the path, stretching her pink cardigan tightly across herself. Cushla wound down her window and said hello, but Betty peered into the back of the car and told Davy to go indoors. He clambered out and hovered beside her. Go, she said.

Is everything OK? asked Cushla.

Did you report me?

Report you for what?

For not looking after the children.

No! Why, what happened?

I had a social worker here today. Standing in my scullery. Opening my fridge. Asking where the kids sleep.

I don’t know anything about it.

They said the school contacted them. You’re the only one from the school who’s set foot in my house. Did you tell them I’m not coping?

No! said Cushla. Her voice was high and tight.

Betty straightened up and glanced back at the house, where Davy was at the window. I am managing, she said. I’m doing my best.

I know you are, Cushla began, but Betty had turned away and was walking up the path.

Cushla drove down the road to town, too fast, overtaking a van. Bradley’s car was still in the car park. She went in the back door, heard the clang of tin bucket on terrazzo, smelled the burn of Jeyes Fluid and stale vomit from the caretaker’s mop.

She knocked on Bradley’s door and pushed it open. He raised his head and put down his pen, letting out a long sigh. To what do I owe the pleasure, he said.

I’ve just been at the McGeowns’ house.

Sit down, Cushla. She almost told him to fuck off, but there was such contempt in his voice she found herself doing as he said.

Did you send a social worker up there? she said.