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time.'
    She cut the connection and Shepherd put the phone back into his pocket. 'Game on,' he muttered. He picked up Liam's football and headed for Tom and Moira's house.
    Moira was waiting for him at the door. 'Daniel, what on earth happened?'
    'Nothing,' said Shepherd.
    'Liam came back crying his eyes out.'
    'Where is he?' asked Shepherd, squeezing past her.
    'In his room.'
    Shepherd went upstairs, carrying the football, and knocked on Liam's door. When there was no reply he tried to open it, but it was locked. 'Let me in, Liam.'
    'Go away.'
    'Please, Liam, I want to talk to you.' Shepherd pressed his ear to the door.
    'Go away.'
    'Look, I have to go back to Manchester.'
    'So go.'
    'It's work.'
    'I don't care.'
    Shepherd sighed. He looked at his watch again. 'I've got time for a coffee. Or we could have a go on the PlayStation.'
    Moira came up the stairs. 'Daniel, maybe you should leave him be for a while,' she said quietly.
    'He's my son, Moira,' said Shepherd. 'I know how to handle him.'
    'Do you?' said Moira archly. 'Well if that's the case, why's he in there with the door locked, sobbing his eyes out?'
    Shepherd glared at her, then turned back to the door. He knocked on it gently. 'Come on, Liam. Let's not be silly. I don't have long.'
    'I hate you. I just want you to leave me alone.'
    'Daniel . . .' said Moira.
    Shepherd ignored her. 'I didn't want to answer the phone,
    but it was important. I had to take the call. I wanted to talk to you, but this person might not have called back and it was important.'
    There was no answer from Liam, but Shepherd heard a sniff.
    'Liam, I love you more than anything. I'm sorry if I'm a bad father at the moment but I've a lot on my plate and this is all new territory for me.'
    Shepherd put his ear against the door but Liam didn't say anything. 'I'll count to ten, okay? Then you can come out and we'll be friends again.'
    Moira went back downstairs. Shepherd was ashamed at the way he'd spoken to her, but there were times when his mother-in-law's holier-than-thou attitude got on his nerves.
    She meant well, but she hadn't worked since the day she'd married Tom, and the grand total of her life experience came down to her suburban friends, a weekly game of bridge and an annual holiday to either France, Spain or Italy. She had no idea of what Shepherd's life was like or the pressures he was under. Yes, he wanted to be a good father. Yes, he wanted to do the right thing by his son. But it was easy for her: she had Tom, his bank manager's salary and an index-linked pension a few years away. Shepherd had a job to do, a living to earn, and a woman in Manchester who wanted her husband dead.
    Shepherd started counting. When he got to five he tapped on the door in time with the numbers. 'Six. Seven. Eight.
    Nine. Ten.' Shepherd took a deep breath. 'Liam?' The door was so flimsy he could have knocked it down with one kick.
    'Liam, please. At least give me a hug before I go.' He rested his forehead against the door and sighed. 'Okay. Look, I have to go, but I'll phone you this evening. I promise.'
    Shepherd started downstairs but he had only gone a few steps when the bedroom door opened. Liam stood on the landing, his cheeks wet. Shepherd rushed back upstairs, bent down and picked up his son. 'I'm sorry I'm such a rubbish father,' he said.
    'It's okay,' said Liam.
    'I'm trying, I really am. Bear with me, until I get things sorted.'
    'I just want to be with you, Dad.'
    'I know you do.' He kissed Liam, then sniffed his hair.
    'You need a bath,' he said.
    'I know.'
    'And wash behind your ears.'
    'I always do.'
    Shepherd lowered his boy to the floor. 'I'll be back as soon as I can.'
    'Cross your heart?'
    Shepherd solemnly crossed his heart.
    'And you'll phone tonight before I go to sleep?'
    Shepherd crossed his heart again. Liam nodded, satisfied.
    Shepherd went downstairs.
    Moira was in the kitchen, filling an earthenware teapot.
    'Have you got time for tea, at least?' she asked.
    'I've got to go, Moira.