Bill had the weekend off and had spent the afternoon watching a football match between Whitby and Scarborough. He was in a good mood. Whitby had won. By the time he stepped through the front door he was even happier because he was carrying a warm paper package with the undeniable smell of fish and chips. Lottie had told him she would visit friends in the Crag and Kate would come too. He’d have to arrange his own tea. Bill had no problems with that. Chippy it was. What a Saturday!
 
The house was quiet when he entered. He assumed Joe and Pearl were out too. He barely saw them these days. Probably a good thing. Though things had calmed down and Bill had accepted that there was no way back, it still disturbed him to see the two and have to wrap his head around the fact that they were husband and wife. All he saw was two children. Two stupid, naïve children at that.
 
Bill set his wrapped meal on the table and then greeted the empty house as he always did: by bursting into loud song – the neighbours would never get a break. It was a Tyneside song he used to sing to the children when they were little, especially when they’d have fish and chips. Still in song and entirely unaware of his audience, Bill rummaged through the cupboards, looking for a beer to accompany his meal.