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this family.’
    The calm, quiet assertion was absolute and final. If his mother had screamed or ranted, Tony would have continued arguing. As it was he picked up his kitbag and went to the door.
    ‘Tony.’ Leaving her husband’s side Gina went to her brother. ‘Please, Mama, we need to talk about this.’
    ‘I’ve said all there is to be said, Gina,’ Mrs Ronconi pronounced firmly.
    ‘But Tony’s been fighting for six years. He needs to rest – to stay somewhere.’
    ‘Not in this house.’
    ‘Mama …’
    ‘Bye, Gina.’ Tony kissed her cheek and offered Luke his hand.
    ‘You can’t go like this,’ Gina protested as she followed him down the passage. ‘We’re your family …’
    ‘Are you?’
    ‘Tony, don’t be stubborn. Of course we’re your family.’
    For the second time that day Tony turned his back on his sister, closed the door behind him and walked away.
    *……*……*
    ‘That’s Theo finally down. Mary wore him out in the park but the little monkey fought off sleeping until he couldn’t keep his eyes open. I had to read him the Three Little Pigs four times. You’d think he’d know the story off by heart by now, wouldn’t you?’
    ‘He does.’
    Encouraged by Charlie’s response and feeling that her latest ploy of ending every communication with her husband in a question was beginning to work, Alma ventured a change of subject. ‘It was a good wedding reception, wasn’t it?’
    He nodded briefly as he picked up the Pontypridd Observer.
    ‘Did Bethan tell you she’s driving us up to see the house in Tyfica Road tomorrow?’
    If she hadn’t been looking directly at him she would have missed his second acknowledgement.
    ‘That’s the door. I wonder who it could be at this time of night. Perhaps Mary’s forgotten her key. I told her she could go to the pictures.’ As she started down the stairs that led to the side door of the shop that was the flat’s entrance she caught a glimpse of a uniformed figure behind the patterned glass. Tentatively opening the door, she smiled in relief when she saw Huw Davies and, standing behind him, Bethan and Andrew.
    ‘This is a surprise, Huw. Myrtle said you had the day off.’
    ‘Sergeant called me back. Can we come in?’
    ‘Of course. Bethan, Andrew, it’s lovely to see you.’ She kissed Bethan’s cheek as she stepped into the narrow hallway. ‘Would you like tea or something stronger? I have a bottle of sherry. There’s no beer or brandy but Charlie has some vodka hidden away …’
    ‘I’m sorry, Alma, this is an official visit.’
    ‘Official? I don’t understand, Huw.’
    ‘The sergeant knows I’m friendly with you and Charlie, that’s why he sent for me.’
    ‘Is someone hurt?’ Confused, Alma looked from Huw to Bethan. She had no family other than Charlie and Theo, and they were both upstairs. Then she thought of her friends and Mary. ‘There’s not been an accident! Mary? Someone going home from the wedding … ?’
    ‘No one’s hurt, Alma.’ Huw put his arm around her. ‘Charlie upstairs?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘I’ve got some news for him. It’s not bad, but it might be a bit of a shock, which is why I asked Andrew to meet me here.’
    ‘And I came to keep you company while they’re talking to Charlie,’ Bethan broke in. ‘Why don’t we go upstairs? I’ll give you a hand in the kitchen.’ Bethan led the way, leaving Alma no choice but to follow with the men.
    ‘It’s Huw and Andrew to see you, Charlie.’ Alma went into the living room and opened the sideboard where she kept the sherry and Charlie’s vodka. ‘Would you like a drink?’ she asked Andrew and Huw, lifting out both bottles.
    ‘Perhaps later,’ Andrew suggested.
    ‘I’ll be in the kitchen with Bethan then.’ Closing the door, Alma walked down the passage and into the kitchen where Bethan had already taken two glasses from then dresser.
    ‘I brought sherry.’ Bethan opened her handbag and lifted out a bottle.
    ‘Snap.’ Alma opened