Lisa’s eyes were wide, she whispered, ‘You’re married!’

Cassie lunged forward, tore the sheet off, leaving us bare-assed.

‘He didn’t tell you… ’cos you’re just another cheap whore… and young… the same age as our daughter.’

‘Daughter!’

I moved and Cassie levelled the pistol. ‘Do… and I’ll shoot your balls off.’

The barrel of the gun swung towards Lisa, she began to whimper.

Cassie said, ‘You stay away from my man, you hear me. You wanna suck on something, try this.’

And squeezed the trigger.

The bullet slammed into the headboard between us. Splinters of wood flying outwards. Lisa curled up in a ball, screaming. Now Cassie turned to me, asked, ‘Did you memorise the lines?’

‘What?’

‘Tut-tut… it’s the dunce’s cap for you, hot shot. Alas, I must bid adieu. What’s that shit you guys say here… tootle-pip… cheery-bye, whatever… later dude.’

She backed out and closed the door. I tried to put my arm round Lisa but she slapped it away, her crying got louder and full-blown hysteria got set. I pulled her round, slapped her face, measuring out the words.

‘Shut the fuck up.’

She did.

I threw on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, headed cautiously to the front room. On the coffee table, in a glass, was one fresh red rose. I sighed… ‘cute’. Made some scalding hot tea, laced it with sugar. The best remedy for shock, my hands were doing an Oirish jig… no, downright hornpipes. So, I got the brandy, poured some dollops in. As I held the bottle I thought… fuck… and took a swig. Hell to Henry, it burned like a sucker punch to the gut.

Took the tea to Lisa who was sobbing quietly. Forced the mug into her two hands.

She said, ‘Don’t want it.’

‘Drink the fuckin’ thing.’

‘You bastard, never said you were married.’

‘I’m not. She must have found the spare keys when she was here yesterday.’