‘Okay, this is what’s going to happen.’ Jean sat opposite Patrick. They’d been going around in circles for the last hour. She was sure he was sorry for everything that had happened. She was sure he wanted their lives to go back as they were. But not quite as they were, she told herself. She was even sure that, in his own way, he loved her.
‘Ellen told me tonight that the police know George Shuttleworth killed Tom. So get all thoughts of going to look for him right out of your mind.’
He didn’t answer. He kept his eyes on Jack who was sleeping in his arms.
‘Patrick! If you can’t even promise that, we might as well give up now.’
‘Right, right.’ He kept his voice low.
‘Promise.’
‘I promise.’
‘Look at me.’
He lifted his head. ‘I’ll leave it to the police. All right?’
Jean nodded. ‘Good. We’ve had enough grief to last us a lifetime, you don’t need to go looking for more.’ She watched him caress the baby’s head in the palm of his hand. For a second her whole body cried out at the wrongness of him holding another woman’s child when it should have been hers. She forced the jealousy away. ‘And if you ever raise your hand to me again, Patrick, you’ll never see me or Jacqueline again.’
This time there was a catch in his voice. ‘I know. I always swore I would never be like Dad. I know I’ve fought men before … loads of times…’
‘Which needs to stop.’
He moved his head in agreement. ‘But I didn’t think I would ever hit a woman, any woman, but especially the woman I love.’ He choked on the words. ‘Not after I saw how it made Mam. I’m ashamed, Jean.’
He looked it, she conceded. ‘And you know the last thing I’m going to say, don’t you?’
‘No more playing around.’
‘Or I’ll go, and I’ll take Jacqueline with me. I won’t be humiliated again. I wouldn’t do it to you.’ She saw his face darken. The thought had never occurred to him, obviously. ‘And don’t think I haven’t had the opportunity.’ Did the butcher’s boy flirting count? She hid her smile. No harm in giving him something to ponder on. ‘But I wouldn’t do it,’ she emphasised.
‘And neither will I from now on.’ He looked at her. ‘I’ve been stupid, chancing throwing away everything we’ve got.’
That was enough for now. ‘Fresh start?’
He smiled tentatively at her. ‘Fresh start.’
She heard her mother’s key in the front door.
Holding out her hands, she gestured towards the baby. ‘Now, give Jack to me.’